The Swiss national hockey team delivered a stunning performance in the WM semifinals in Stockholm, overpowering Denmark with a decisive 7-0 victory. Nino Niederreiter stood out with two goals, showcasing the strength of a cohesive Swiss squad.
This impressive win sets Switzerland up for a showdown against the USA in the championship on Sunday, marking the team’s second consecutive appearance in the World Cup final. Unlike last year’s nail-biting semifinal against Canada in Prague, where the match went to penalties, this game offered a comfortable victory for the Swiss team.
From the outset, the Swiss, coached by Patrick Fischer, displayed superior speed, strength, and strategy, making an impactful transition from their previous match in Herning. Their aggressive forechecking kept the Danish team under constant pressure, resulting in quick goals.
In the 10th minute, Niederreiter redirected a puck into the net to open the scoring, followed by Ken Jäger’s goal shortly after, assisted by Simon Knak. The team’s momentum didn’t wane as they maintained a relentless approach, culminating in Denis Malgin’s stunning goal, which amplified their lead to 4-0.
As the game progressed, Swiss players continued to dominate, with goals from Sandro Schmid, Damien Riat, and Tyler Moy, solidifying their victory. The performance of goaltender Leonardo Genoni was exceptional as well, stopping all 17 shots and earning his fourth shutout of the tournament, tying the all-time record for World Cup shutouts.
This marks Switzerland’s fourth time in the 21st century reaching the finals, with previous attempts yielding silver medals. With just under 24 hours to prepare for the USA, who convincingly defeated host nation Sweden 6-2 in their semifinal, the anticipation for the final matchup is building. The puck drops at 20:20 on Sunday, and hopes are high for Switzerland to secure their first championship title.
The team’s remarkable journey underscores their resilience and skill, and fans are excited as they approach this pivotal game once more, hopeful for a different outcome.