2:7 against the USA –
For the Swiss juniors, the quarterfinals are the final destination
As expected, there is nothing to be gained against the top favorites of the U-20 World Cup. After just two thirds, the Swiss are 1:7 behind.
Published: January 2, 2025, 11:31 p.m
Seven goals conceded, shared fraternally: Christian Kirsch (right), who was substituted after the 0:3, consoles his replacement Elijah Neuenschwander after the game.
Foto: Sean Kilpatrick (Keystone, AP)
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It was the feared scenario before the game: not only would the World Cup tournament in Ottawa be over for Switzerland after the first knockout game, it would probably end with a heavy defeat.
With some effort, national coach Marcel Jenni’s team qualified for the quarter-finals: after the 1:5 against the Czech Republic, an annoying 1:2 against Slovakia and one wild 5:7 against Sweden (1:6 after 40 minutes) It won the decisive duel for group place against eventual relegated Kazakhstan 3-1.
-But a completely different caliber awaited in the quarterfinals. The USA is considered the next great power in ice hockey, and the training program is exemplary. The Americans suffered a surprising 3-4 overtime defeat in the group games against Finland, but against Canada they proved with a 4-1 win that they are rightly considered the top favorites for the U-20 World Cup title.
In order to hope for a sensation, everything had to be right on Jenni’s team, including the dissolute attitude of the opponent. But then the USA were already leading 3-0 after a good eleven minutes, after which Jenni made the goalie change and replaced Christian Kirsch with Elijah Neuenschwander.
That didn’t change much, even before the second siren the USA was ahead 7-1. The only goal was scored by SCB defender Nils Rhyn when he was outnumbered, and the assist in the form of a face-off win went to him Jamiro Reber from Langnau, who plays in Sweden.
As against Sweden, Switzerland was able to cosmeticize the result in the final third, with Andro Kaderli “shortening” the score to 2:7 in the power play.
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