MENU
The Swiss team had a better start of the game and created a 2-0 lead but the Slovaks came back to tie it before the end of the first period. After a great second period, they kept the lead until the end. Slovakia outscored Switzerland 5-4 over the final two periods to take seventh place.
Penalties: 3:4, plus Chanton (SUI) 10 minut. PP goals: 1:1. SH goals: 0:0.
Referees: Stano, Štefik – Durmis, Vyšný. Attendance: 554.
Report
The Slovaks wanted to win their first game in front of their own crowd but they struggled at the beginning. After four minutes of play, the Swiss created a 2-on-1 and Louis Robin converted a smart pass from Keanu Derungs. The players in red jerseys increased their lead only a moment later. After ab unsuccessful Slovak attack, Mike Zaugg found Maximilian Streule omitted by the defence and Šimon Latkóczy could not reach the one-timer.
However, the home team got back in the game. Róbert Bačo scored on the power play and then only a few moments later Oleksiyho Myklukha tied the game after a quick pass from Faith from Gretzky´s office. The Swiss coach made a goaltending change, inserting Andri Henauer in place of Noah Patenaude at the start of the second period but he couldn't stop the Slovak offence.
One of the most skilled players in the Slovak lineup, Matej Kašlík had the opportunity of a good shooting position from the left side and gave his team its first lead of the game. Another big chance went to Ján Lašák, who found himself on a breakaway but Henauer was faster in this one. Although the Swiss had some shots from good areas too, Slovaks scored twice more in the middle period.
Richard Petráš showed some good effort in front of the net and beat Henauer to the far post. The Swiss needed to play risky and they opened their defence. Martin Chromiak stole a pass at the end of the period and went on a breakaway. He did beat the goalie with a stunning forehand move.
But Switzerland got what they wished for - an early goal (42:09) after the second intermission. At the end of a great combination was Mike Zaugg, who did not have a problem with a half-open net. In addition, the Swiss took another step closer to tying the game as Joshua Gahrni scored on a shot along the ice.
The entertaining game continued. The Slovaks took back their two-goal lead withKašlík's second goal of the game, but just 44 seconds later, the players in red cheered again. Dario Allenspach beat Latkóczy with a hard one-timer. Two minutes before the final siren, the Swiss bench pulled their goalie and tried hard to score. Latkóczy made a great save when he robbed Noah Meier from the point and then Oleksiy Myklukha got space on the right side and put the game away with an empty-net goal.
The Slovaks claimed seventh place and Switzerland finished eighth.