The last time Canada and Switzerland met, it ended in a loss for the Canadians after being shutout 2 – 0 at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. This evening, Canada and Switzerland faced each other again for payback and it was an incredibly close game, with the goaltenders making all the difference — Martin Brodeur for Canada and Jonas Hiller for the Swiss. Canada was able to come out on top and score 3 – 2 over Switzerland in the shootout.
Team Canada started off on a great first period with a goal from Dany Heatley and put pressure on Hiller. Patrick Marleau then cushioned Canada’s lead making it 2 – 0 early in the second. However, that goal came as a wake up for the Swiss and Ivo Ruthemann got the puck behind Brodeur to bring his team on the board. With seconds remaining on the clock, Patrick von Gunten tied the game 2 – 2 just as the period was about to end.
With no goals in the third, Canada and Switzerland put up a fight, but Brodeur and Hiller persevered and the game went into overtime. After overtime, it was on to the shootout where both goaltenders held their ground. With the first round of players used up, Sidney Crosby skated in for his second chance and was able to get one behind Hiller.
Hiller made a number of amazing saves, stopping 43 of 45 shots and was the key reason his team was able to stay in the game.
Canada plays the United States on Sunday, February 21st at 4:40 PM PST
Be sure to visit our 2010 coverage at www.nephrus.net/vancouver2010.
