Great, Switzerland is in the world final!
Switzerland won 3-2 against Canada on penalties. Fiala, Andrighetto and Genoni were the heroes of the penalty shootout. The final is on Sunday at 8:20 p.m. against the Czech Republic.
Leonardo Genoni caused despair among the Canadian attackers.
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The Swiss have done it! Here they are in the World Cup final, for the third time in their history (2013, 2018, 2024) and for the second time in the Fischer era. Switzerland defeated Canada 3-2 on penalties in the semifinals on Saturday and will face hosts Czech Republic on Sunday at 8:20 p.m.
Kevin Fiala and Sven Andrighetto took the Swiss penalties, while goalkeeper Leonardo Genoni shone in this exercise. The Czechs defeated Sweden in the other half after a breathtaking performance in front of their enthusiastic fans (7-3).
Against Canada, the Swiss team used its power play and its “super block” structured around NHL reinforcements (Josi/Fiala/Hischier/Niederreiter) to take the lead. The Swiss beat twice in the five-on-four system, in a practice in which they had not always shone so far in this world tournament.
Determined Genoni
Light flashed from Kevin Fiala’s stick. The Los Angeles Kings player’s miraculous direct shot – his seventh goal in this competition – landed in the top corner of the Canadian goal (16th, 1-0).
Before this first Swiss goal, goalkeeper Leonardo Genoni was decisive twice: the first time against Brandon Hagel (14th minute), the second time when Brandon Tanev faced him alone a few moments later (15th minute). Without these two decisive saves by the Swiss goalkeeper, the rest of the game might have turned out very differently for Patrick Fischer’s team.
One hundred and thirty seconds after Fiala’s cannon shot, Switzerland doubled its lead in an identical situation with numerical superiority. This time Nino Niederreiter deflected a powerful shot from Roman Josi (18th, 2-0) into the net. Switzerland had narrowly missed out on reaching the final after shamelessly dominating the Canadians in the first period (17 shots to 8).
Canadian return
Canada came alive again when Tanev was fortunate enough to find the error after the puck was deflected into the net by a Swiss skate (25th, 2:1). This was the first goal conceded by Fischer’s team at even strength (5v5) since the second game of the tournament against Austria on May 12.
The Swiss held out for a long time, thanks in particular to the calmness of goalkeeper Leonardo Genoni. But Canada equalized with 127 seconds left (58th minute, 2:2), thanks to captain John Tavares, who converted a power play penalty against Andres Ambühl (puck outside the playing field).
Another penalty, this time for overcounting, put Switzerland in a tricky position with 38 seconds left and forced them to start the ten-minute overtime period with 3 against 4. However, this time it had no consequences. In return, the Swiss benefited from a numerical advantage in overtime after the Canadians had a surplus this time. But they were unable to take advantage of this either (65th).
Unable to decide, the Swiss and Canadians fought blow for blow until the penalty session. Thanks to Fiala, Andrighetto and goalkeeper Genoni, Switzerland had the last word. On Sunday, the Swiss will play against the Czechs for world gold. Will the third attempt be the right one for the Swiss ice hockey players after their defeat in the two finals?
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