IIHF UA18 Game Recap: Team Canada vs. Team Switzerland | 04/28/2024

Team Canada competed against Switzerland on Sunday following a shoutout victory over Czechia on Friday, 6-0. Switzerland has encountered challenges in this year’s tournament, securing only one win in two matches leading up to the current contest. Their sole victory occurred against Kazakhstan with a score of 5-2 on Friday, following a 3-0 defeat to Czechia on Thursday.

Goaltenders:

Period 1

Switzerland started the game with high energy and physicality. At 6:16, Canada’s Spencer Gill is called for roughing, sending Team Canada on the penalty kill. Team Switzerland nearly scored during the power play, but Jamiro Reber’s shot hit the post.

Leenders demonstrated outstanding on-ice presence, solidly blocking Robin Antenen’s shot. The Swiss team displayed strong defense during their first penalty kill after Niklas Blessing is called for tripping. However, Canada continued to apply pressure on Swiss goalie Kirsch. He made a crucial save after Malcolm Spence fired one on the net from close range just as the penalty ended.

We would close the first period with no score on either side of the ice. The Swiss team demonstrated dominance in shots on goal this period, making 15 attempts on net as opposed to Canada’s 6.

Shots on Goal:

Period 2

During the first minute of the second period, Kirsch blocked Spence again during a breakaway. Team Switzerland’s Kimi Koerbler, intercepting a pass, skated end to end to fire off a wrist shot past Leenders at 2:47, unassisted. Team Switzerland is ahead 0-1.

Switzerland’s lead was short-lived as Canada swiftly responded to even things up. Kashawn Aitcheson of Canada deftly maneuvered to deceive Kirsch on the near side. The score now stands at one goal apiece (2:57). Maxim Masse and Ollie Josephson are on the assist.

Canada surged ahead again when Gavin McKenna maneuvered down the right wing, cutting towards the net, and slid the puck past Kirsch at 5:55, assisted by Harrison Brunicke and Caleb Desnoyers. The score is now 2-1, Team Canada.

Then, just seconds later, Cole Beaudoin fed the puck to Marek Vanacker for a one-timer, extending Canada’s lead to 3-1. Switzerland gets the call for Too Many Men and David Biosson serves the time for the Swiss. Team Canada runs with the man advantage and Porter Martone sends the puck past Kirsch, with McKenna on the assist. The score is now 4-1, with Canada holding the lead.

At 14:35, Switzerland’s Daniil Ustinkov gets snagged for interference and sends Team Canada back on the Powerplay once more. Ryder Ritchie of Canada unleashed a powerful one-timer from the slot, securing his first goal of the tournament and advancing Canada’s lead to 5-1 (15:29). Less than a minute later, Tij Iginla sent the sniper shot from the right circle and put Team Canada ahead now 6-1 (16:39). Jett Luchanko and Ritchie each get the credit on the assist. After that, Team Switzerland pulled Kirsch from the net, and Phileas Lachat would man the pipes for the remainder of the game for the Swiss.

Martone would then increase Canada’s lead to 7-1 by scoring a goal a mere 18 seconds before the end of the second period. McKenna would get the helper credit for that goal (19:42). At the end of the second period, Team Canada had a significant lead over Team Switzerland following 40 minutes of play, ahead 7-1.

Shots on Goal:

Period 3

At 3:55 into the period, Team Canada’s Aitcheson received a penalty for interference, giving the Swiss team a Powerplay chance. Despite this, Canada effectively killed the man-advantage chance for the Swiss, keeping the score unchanged as both teams resumed full strength.

Canada’s goalkeeper, Leenders, successfully prevented Switzerland’s Nolan Cattin from scoring on a breakaway during the latter part of the third period. Following this, Malcolm Spence passed to Martone, who capitalized by scoring a goal with a precise shot between Lachat’s legs, earning the hat trick and leaving a mere 2 minutes and 37 seconds on the clock for the Swiss to try and get any offensive momentum going. Canada now leads decisively by a score of 8-1 (17:23).

Tensions rise as the two teams clash, leading to Switzerland’s Now Tarchini being penalized for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct, while Caleb Desnoyers of Canada is also sent off for roughing. Nevertheless, the regulation ended with Team Canada with the victory over Team Switzerland with a final score of 8-1.

Shots on Goal:

CAN – 11

SUI – 5

Canada currently holds the top position in Group B following their victory against Switzerland on Sunday. Porter Martone would secure the hat trick for his three-point game. Gavin McKenna would also net his own three points after tallying a goal and two assists. Team Canada boasts a 95.12 SV% after facing 82 shots, making 78 saves.

The upcoming match against the winless Kazakhstan on Tuesday will conclude Canada’s preliminary round, while Switzerland will face Sweden in their next tournament matchup.