The Swiss team begins its world championship in Herning with a duel against the Czech Republic on Friday (4:20 p.m.). And the Helvetians want their revenge after the final lost last year in Prague.
We almost take the same and start again. As an aperitif, Patrick Fischer and his men immediately enter the bath. Usually, Switzerland was entitled to opponents of a lower caliber to launch its world campaign, there it is the world champions that stand in front of them.
This remake of about a year ago, Nico Hischier & Cie necessarily take it a bit like revenge. The stake is obviously not the same, but being able to place yourself ideally from the start would be beneficial for the future. In the Stockholm group, Canada, Sweden and Finland seem predestined in the first three places, which means that 4th place in the group could be played between Slovakia and Latvia, for example. And these two nations would offer Switzerland a good chance to join Sweden for the last square, if the Helvetians had the good idea to finish at the top of their group.
Pastrnak Necas
-But before thinking so far, Patrick Fischer’s men will face Czechs who can count on some NHL reinforcements, including David Pastrnak and Martin Necas. Still author of more than 100 points this season with Boston, Pastrnak is the man who had opened the scoring in the final in Prague last year against Switzerland in the 50th. Arrived along the way, Martin Necas had impressed him with his speed. He arrives from Colorado and his speed can hurt a lot.
At the goals, the Czechs have several NHL players, including Vejmelka and Vladar. And in defense, Filip Hronek is not clumsy. By adding Roman Cervenka, this formation is rather proud, even if it seems a little less solid than that of last year.
In the Swiss camp and while waiting to know if he will soon be able to count on Kevin Fiala, Patrick Fischer placed Tyler Moy with Hischier and Meier. Damien Riat is always associated with Malgin and Andrighetto. For the defense pairs, a formula has not changed that has proven itself with Glausely alongside Janis Moser, the Subsitut ‘Idéal’ by Roman Josi, while Dean Kukan forms a 100% Zurich duo with Jonas Siegenthaler.
/ATS
