USA 3:2 SUI | USA - Switzerland (World Championship)

World Championship

Italy veterans – Norway	0:3 (end)	\|	Kazakhstan – Germany2	1:2 (1:2 after SO)	\|	Sweden2 – Denmark	3:0 (end)
Finland – Latvia	2:3 (end)	\|	Canada2 – Slovakia2	4:1 (end)	\|	USA – Switzerland	3:2 (end)

final

USA

3:2 (0:0, 1:2, 2:0)

Switzerland

Saturday 10.05.2014, 19:45 • Minsk Arena, Minsk • World Championship

		The final buzzer has sounded, and in a highly entertaining game the USA have come out on top against Switzerland 3-2! This game had just about everything, and having had two goals ruled out for offside the Swiss can feel somewhat hard done by. They took the lead twice as goals from Denis Hollenstein and Damien Brunner were sandwiched by a Peter Mueller effort, but in the third period two unanswered goals from Craig Smith and Tyler Johnson gave the Americans the points. Thanks for following our coverage with us today, and see you again soon for more exciting 2014 IIHF World Championship action! (22:10:17)
	60:00	Game over.
	59:55	Thomas! What a glove save from the veteran netminder! As a sharp high slapshot comes in from the right Tim Thomas flashes leather to deny the Swiss overtime! And just after that Justin Abdelkader has got penalised for roughing just as the buzzer was about to go off
	59:50	For delaying the game Jason Trouba has been sent to the penalty box, and for the final ten seconds it's a Swiss six on four!
	59:45	Simon Moser bursting with pace into the zone on the left flank has a wrist shot deflected up and out of play. Time is really running down now
	59:22	And the Swiss have taken a timeout, with just 38 seconds remaining they know that this is their last chance today
	59:04	Reto Berra has been pulled for the extra skater as we enter the final minute of normal time!
	58:44	Josi! Roman Josi cutting in to the slot wrists hard and low into the netminder's right pad!
	58:33	Tim Thomas makes an excellent save off a dangerous slapper from the high slot! The Swiss won't go down without a fight!
	57:38	That refereeing decision seems to have really taken the sting out of the Swiss, the USA are controlling the puck well without too much pressure
	54:38	Jason Trouba winds up with traffic between him and the net but Reto Berra still manages to see it all the way
	54:22	The Swiss hit back immediately! The puck pops out to the left of the crease where Simon Moser taps home! But no! Incredibly it's the second Swiss goal which has been ruled out for offside! How unlucky must they feel!
	53:15	Goal for Team USA! They've been pressing the Swiss hard and they have their reward! TYLER JOHNSON takes aim just behind the left faceoff circle and he goes water bottle on the netminder, it's 3-2! Assists- Seth Jones
	52:48	Reto Berra fields and freezes a powerful slapper from the point with Tommy Wingels waiting for any rebounds
	51:43	Switzerland have survived that penalty and they're back at full strength
	50:38	The puck is bouncing all around by the face of the Swiss goal but with sticks flying everywhere no one can get a decisive touch!
	49:43	But for slashing in the aftermath of that play Simon Moser has been sent to the penalty box giving the Americans a big powerplay opportunity
	49:43	Romy! Kevin Romy skating with real purpose on the right fires into the crease and Tim Thomas at the second attempt freezes!
	48:44	The goal horn has gone off as Thomas Rufenacht has the puck in the back of the net, wristing home into the left hand corner from the high slot! But no, much to Swiss dismay the referees wave it off as a no goal! The Swiss had already moved offside, but it's a controversial moment!
	46:49	Tim Thomas comes out of his goal to gather up the loose puck behind the net and he ends up on his backside! Luckily for him the Swiss couldn't punish that embarrassing mistake!
	46:20	Dan Dekeyser from a tight angle on the left looks for Reto Berra to give up a rebound on the crease but the Swiss netminder is solid near post
	45:10	Simon Moser deep outside the zone at the left hand boards fires into the goalkeeper as to force a faceoff
	44:41	The Americans despite being shorthanded came closest to scoring on that penalty and they're now back to full strength
	44:02	And now right at the other end Tim Thomas stands his ground as a high wrister comes in from the right faceoff circle! Both teams are treating us with superb hockey tonight!
	43:55	Shore! Shorthanded breakaway for the Americans on the left flank, Drew Shore closes in and smashes the puck high upon the near post! That was so close!
	42:41	They do have a powerplay here though out of nothing, Tommy Wingels of the USA has been punished for holding
	42:37	Johnny Gaudreau spinning around on the right of the crease can't force it past Reto Berra! The Swiss just haven't got going in this period as yet
	41:28	Goal for Team USA! It didn't take them long to find that all important equaliser! As the puck bobbles all around the crease no one can grab a hold of it and CRAIG SMITH eventually neatly pokes it home, powerplay goal and it's 2-2! Assists- Brock Nelson and Tyler Johnson
	41:17	Brock Nelson tries to force his way through the defence at the high slot but he's just crowded out!
	40:01	The third and crucial period is underway! And the Americans are on the powerplay for 01:53 with Robin Grossmann in the penalty box for Switzerland
	40:01	Start of 3rd period.
		Statistics after the first two periods- Shots on target- 29-21 Saves made by the goalkeeper- 19-28 Penalty minutes- 8-10
	40:00	2nd period finished.
	39:53	Just seven seconds before the buzzer Robin Grossmann has been penalised for slashing which will probably leave the Americans on the powerplay for the start of the third period
	39:30	We're now already into the final 30 seconds of an excellent second period
	39:11	Benjamin Pluss skating hard down the left flank makes the netminder work with his pads with a testing wrist shot!
	36:59	Switzerland again have five players on the ice
	36:45	Hayes! Slowly slowly cutting to the crease unchallenged Kevin Hayes has a goalbound looking wrister blocked by Swiss defenders!
	34:59	Reto Suri for hooking has been called and the Americans have a powerplay here to get back on track
	34:51	This game is getting hot! Roman Josi skates excellently around the net, finds a teammate right on the doorstep who is stoned by Tim Thomas at point blank range! And tempers again start to raise in the aftermath
	34:20	Vince Trocheck drives in backhand side, looks for the right hand corner but the puck gets deflected high and out of play
	33:06	Andres Ambuhl finally escapes with the puck, he drifts to the right of the American zone and fires into Tim Thomas who holds for a faceoff
	21:40	The USA are pinning the Swiss in their own zone really well, they don't look deflated by conceding that second goal at all
	30:01	Tyler Johnson then has a golden opportunity to again draw the US level but he can't beat the inspired Reto Berra from point blank range on the left!
	29:39	Goal for Team Switzerland! This game is exploding into action! Kevin Romy makes a wonderful skate on the right cutting past all his defenders to the slot, he sets it back to DAMIEN BRUNNER who slips the puck into the net! It's 2-1! Assists- Kevin Romy
	29:26	Colin McDonald pokes a pacy pass from the right into the netminder's chest who covers at the second time of asking!
	27:01	The Americans keep up the pressure and force Reto Berra into a couple of solid save on efforts from distance! They will be buoyed by that equaliser
	26:15	Goal for Team USA! Just as that penalty expired the Americans strike back! The Swiss defence goes AWOL as the emerging PETER MUELLER from the penalty box skates through one on one and finally beats Reto Berra five hole! It's 1-1! Assists- Jeff Petry and Tim Stapleton
	26:07	The USA have solidly killed that penalty and they're back to full strength
	26:02	Luca Cunti at the left hand post is sniffing around for a rebound but no one can make clean contact on the bouncing puck!
	24:08	And sure enough the Swiss are now back to full strength and on the powerplay
	24:07	The Americans were building up ahead of steam on that powerplay but they've been hit by a Peter Mueller penalty for tripping
	22:57	Berra! He is simply on fire tonight! Craig Smith is allowed to break all the way into the slot, it seems impossible to miss but Reto Berra makes a stunning glove save!
	22:08	The USA have a great chance to strike right back here though, Robin Grossmann for hooking has been called
	21:28	Goal for Team Switzerland! It's their first goal of the World Championships this year! Skating down free on the left flank DAVID HOLLENSTEIN closes in on goal before unleashing a fierce wrister into the far corner, it's 1-0! Assists- Kevin Fiala
	20:48	Simon Brunner spinning around the net to the right hand post sends a dangerous pass right across the face of goal! He's unfortunate that no one could get on the end of that
	20:19	The second stanza has begun! Despite the lack of goals so far we hope that we'll be treated to the same pacy hockey as in the first
	20:01	Start of 2nd period.
		Statistics after the first period of play- Shots on target- 11-11 Saves made by the goalkeeper- 11-11 Penalty minutes- 6-4
	20:00	1st period finished.
	19:57	Two on one breakaway for the Americans but Reto Berra makes a wonderful double save to keep his team level! And it's now the final few seconds of an entertaining first period
	19:07	Both teams are now back to full strength
	18:51	Long and patient buildup play frees up Andres Ambuhl at the left faceoff circle but his heavy slapper is blocked!
	17:53	Damien Brunner right up close on the left of the crease looks to catch out Thomas at his near post but the netiminder is alert!
	17:07	For slashing Jeff Petry has also now been penalised and it's a four on three powerplay for the Swiss
	16:52	And indeed both Jacob Trouba and Kevin Fiala have been sent to the penalty box for roughing
	16:52	A goalmouth scramble erupts as Tim Thomas is just able to freeze! And tempers start to raise between the two sets of players, Kevin Fiala and Jacob Trouba looked ready to drop the gloves!
	15:57	Simon Moser battles hard for the puck on the left trying to create something, he eventually gets away an attempt on goal but it comes to nothing
	15:10	Kevin Romy skates hard baring down on the American goal, but his snapshot is fielded well by Thomas
	14:09	And Rufenacht now has an even better chance! Neat interchange play leaves him with only Tim Thomas to beat, but the emerging netminder spreads himself big enough!
	13:29	Rufenacht! Taking up a pretty backhand pass Thomas Rufenacht rips the puck wide of the right hand post from the doorstep!
	12:24	On the left of the crease Berra now manages to pad away a sharp wraparound attempt! The Swiss are struggling to keep possession of the puck when they have it
	11:26	Switzerland are now back to full strength as the USA go offside
	09:35	Craig Smith picking up a big rebound from point blank range is denied by already another big save from Reto Berra! The Swiss goaltender is looking on his game tonight
	09:26	Kevin Romy for holding has been penalised and the US are going on the powerplay
	08:58	Gaudreau! Wow what a play by Johnny Gaudreau! He leaves his defender spinning at the doorstep with a wonderful move, but Berra makes a fantastic glove save to deny him!
	08:25	Receiving the puck at the point Jake McCabe does a full 360 before his backhand is sent clear by his opposing defenders!
	07:32	Romy! Darting in between two defenders on the left flank Kevin Romy wrists a dangerous effort inches wide of the far post!
	06:41	Colin McDonald twists with the puck, cuts back to the high slot before unleashing a powerful slapper that was blocked by traffic!
	06:25	Offside now go the Americans. Despite that early penalty they have started the brighter
	05:26	The USA killed that penalty without too much trouble and they're back at full strength
	04:17	The Swiss cough up the puck right by their own net and they're lucky to get away with that after the shot with Reto Berra out of position flew wide!
	03:26	Tyler Johnson for holding has been called and Switzerland have the first powerplay of the evening
	03:11	Damien Brunner embarks on a powerful skate right through the heart of the American defence, cuts to the right but with Tim Thomas already committed he misses the net near post! That was a great individual play!
	02:16	Wingels! Feeding off a clever pass charging into the zone Tommy Wingels wrists into Reto Berra's chest from a promising position!
	01:01	Jeff Petry from the right of the point wrists into the crease, but the Swiss defenders see it clear
	00:24	We're underway inside the wonderful Minsk Arena! And the US straight away skate hard into the attack and move offside
	00:01	Game started.
		The teams are now out on to the ice and the opening faceoff is moments away!
		Starting lineups: USA: Thomas (Leggio)- Trouba, Dekeyser, Nelson, Johnson, Smith- Gardiner, Petry, Abdelkader, Gaudreau, Trocheck- Jones, McCabe, Stapleton, Wingels, Mueller- Donovan, Shore, J Hayes, K Hayes, McDonald Switzerland: Berra (Geoni)- Schlumpf, Josi, Brunner, Romy, Moser- Weber, Seger, Cunti, Fiala, Hollenstein- Blum, Grossmann, Pluss, Ambuhl, Suri- Kukan, Schappi, Stancescu, Rufenacht Referees: Gofman, Ronn, Sindler, Carlson, Raming.
		The USA in their opener thrashed tournament hosts Belarus 6-1, whereas Switzerland were crushed by the Russians 5-0. It's still hard to pick a favourite for tonight however, and this could turn out to be a contest which goes right down to the wire.
		These two teams have already played one match in Group B, and this is how the group table looks before tonight's encounter. 1. USA W1 L0 GS 6 GA 1 PTS 3 2. RUS W1 L0 GS 5 GA 0 PTS 3 3. LAT W1 L0 GS 3 GA 2 PTS 3 4. GER W1 L0 GS 2 GA 1 PTS 2 5. KAZ W0 L1 GS 1 GA 2 PTS 1 6. FIN W0 L1 GS 2 GA 3 PTS 0 7. BLR W0 L1 GS 1 HA 6 PTS 0 8. SUI W0 L1 GS 0 GA 5 PTS 0
		The Americans always use this tournament as an opportunity to give their younger players some experience, but nevertheless they are a force to be reckoned with. Switzerland are a growing force in ice hockey having shocked everyone with winning the silver medal in this tournament last year, but this year without some of their key players such success will be hard to repeat.
		Good evening and welcome to this 2014 IIHF World Championship Group B match between the USA and Switzerland. Both of these teams are amongst the group favourties, and we should be treated to some entertaining ice hockey.
		Welcome. Game starts at 19:45.

Commentary by

Shaun Nicolaides

Goals & lineups Match log

Goals and assists: 27. Mueller (Petry, Stapleton), 42. Smith (Nelson, Johnson), 54. Johnson (Jones) – 22. Hollenstein (Fiala), 30. Brunner (Romy)

USA: Thomas (Leggio)- Trouba, Dekeyser, Nelson, Johnson, Smith- Gardiner, Petry, Abdelkader, Gaudreau, Trocheck- Jones, McCabe, Stapleton, Wingels, Mueller- Donovan, Shore, J Hayes, K Hayes, McDonald

Switzerland: Berra (Geoni)- Schlumpf, Josi, Brunner, Romy, Moser- Weber, Seger, Cunti, Fiala, Hollenstein- Blum, Grossmann, Pluss, Ambuhl, Suri- Kukan, Schappi, Stancescu, Rufenacht

Referees: Gofman, Ronn, Sindler, Carlson, Raming

1st period
	03:26
	09:26
	16:52
	17:07
1st intermission
2nd period
	21:28
	22:08
	24:07
	26:15
	29:39
	34:59
	39:53
2nd intermission
3rd period
	40:01
	41:28
	42:41
	49:43
	53:15
	59:50
	59:55
Final