Ice Hockey World Cup: Switzerland’s gold dream collapses against Finland

Under their new head coach Jan Cadieux, the Swiss were unable to complete the success story of Patrick Fischer, who was fired due to the scandal surrounding a fake corona vaccination certificate. In the perfect preliminary round, the hosts beat the Olympic bronze medalists 4-2. The first chance to score in the game, which was directed by DEL referee André Schrader alongside Swede Tobias Björk, was given to the aggressively starting Finns: defender Olli Määttä was denied by goalkeeper Leonardo Genoni (4th). It was only in the first power play that the Swiss with Timo Meier came dangerously in front of the goal for the first time (11th).

“I don’t know what to feel. I’m at a loss for words,” says Norway’s winning goal scorer Noah Steen

At first the Finns celebrated, but too early: Anton Lundell hit the puck out of the air into the goal, but Schrader and Co. decided on the high stick after video evidence (14th). The hosts started the second third with five against three – thanks to a controversial decision by the referees. But Josi and Co. couldn’t create a top-class chance when they were twice as numerous. The strong Finnish defense didn’t allow much. It was only towards the end of the middle period that the Swiss got into the game better, and Pius Suter missed their best opportunity (36′). In the third period, Josi had the winning goal on his stick, but goalkeeper Justus Annunen scratched the puck off the line (53′). Only overtime brought the decision.

Norway had previously sensationally won its first World Cup medal. The team led by the outstanding DEL goalkeeper Henrik Haukeland defeated the record world champion Canada with superstar Sidney Crosby 3-2 after extra time in the small final for bronze. “I don’t know what to feel. I’m at a loss for words,” said winning goal scorer Noah Steen. Former DEL striker Andreas Martinsen assisted: “If anyone had told us that our last game would be for bronze and go into extra time, we would have taken it.”

In the semi-final, the Norwegians had no chance when they lost 6-0 to Switzerland. The Canadian NHL team, which nominally had the most stars, was deeply disappointed after the 4-2 defeat against Finland – they are flying home from a World Cup without a medal for the third time in a row.