Switzerland opened its bid for a first world championship by defeating defending champion the United States 3-1 in Zurich, the report says. Sven Andrighetto and Pius Suter each had two-point games and goaltender Leonardo Genoni made 19 saves in front of the home crowd, the report says.
Suter converted a pass from Andrighetto from close range to put the hosts ahead 1-0 2:03 into the game, and Andrighetto added a second goal with 8:41 remaining in the first period on a tight-angle shot with Suter assisting, the report says.
The Americans answered in the final period when Alex Steeves scored 8:45 in, roofing a puck that bounced off the boards behind the goal, per the report. Amid ensuing U.S. pressure, Ken Jager deflected a shot from Simon Knak at 3:39 left to restore Switzerland’s two-goal cushion, the report says.
The result continues a run of near-misses for the hosts: Switzerland finished runner-up the previous two years and now hopes for more in front of home supporters, the report says. The Americans brought only two players from last year’s roster—Mason Lohrei and Isaac Howard—when they won their second world championship, the report says, noting that the U.S. prevailed over Switzerland 1-0 in overtime in last year’s final in Stockholm.
The report says the U.S. will next face Britain on Sunday. Earlier in the tournament, Canada prevailed late over Sweden 5-3 in Fribourg as John Tavares, Ryan O’Reilly, Dylan Holloway, Connor Brown and Dylan Cozens scored and goaltender Jet Greaves stopped 22 shots, the report says. Tavares opened scoring on Canada’s first shot on goal 2:21 into the game, and Sweden answered through Jacob Larsson and Lucas Raymond before Holloway, Brown and Cozens secured the win for Canada, per the report.
The report adds that Canada is the most successful nation at the tournament with 28 titles but last won the trophy three years ago. It also notes the late addition of Sidney Crosby to Canada’s roster and that Finland beat Germany 3-1 in Zurich while Czechia topped Denmark 4-1 in Fribourg.
