Photo: Michael Erichsen / BILDBYRÅN / COP 89 / MI0589
Switzerland 6, Norway 2
A day after losing a hard-fought game against the Slovaks, the Norwegians came into their last game of the tournament with an 0-3 record. This was their biggest game of the tournament, and their best chance at avoiding playing in relegation. The first period started off rough with Simon Meier opening the scoring for the Swiss early after Stian Solberg was caught pinching. A minute later, 2024 NHL draft prospect Leon Muggli took a dangerous boarding penalty where the Swiss saw themselves without the defender for the rest of the game and the Norwegians found themselves on a 5-minute power play opportunity. Unfortunately, the Norwegian power play was discombobulated, and the Swiss ended up with more shorthanded chances on the penalty kill than Norway had on their PP. Before the end of the first period, the Norwegians scored 2 quick goals - a great individual effort on the power play by Martin Johnsen where he cut to the net with speed and beat the Swiss netminder, and a lucky bounce by Patrik Dalen after he tried to make a cross ice pass to his teammate and the puck bounced right back to him for an easy tap in.
The second period was all Switzerland; undisciplined play by Norway led to multiple power play opportunities for the Swiss where they figured out goaltender Markus Stensrud. Three of their four goals in the period were shots taken up high. The goal scorers were Leo Braillard, Jonas Taibel, Rodwin Dionicio and Thierry Schild. The Captain, Taibel ended up with 3 points in this period for the Swiss.The third period saw another goal by Anaheim Ducks prospect Rodwin Dionicio to make the game 6-2 and the Norwegian’s were out of it by then. Jonas Taibel finished the game with 4 points and was all over the ice all game long.
Latvia 6, Germany 2
Latvia came into this game without scoring a goal in the tournament after being shut out by Canada, Sweden and Finland. This game was their best chance at winning and avoiding relegation and although they hadn’t shown competitive up to this point in the tournament, the 6-5 victory against Germany in pre-tournament games meant that this game has always been the one Latvia was looking forward to. The first period was all Latvia - they were controlling the pace of play all period long. 2024 NHL draft prospect Eriks Mateiko opened the scoring for Latvia after a harmless looking shot fooled the German netminder Philipp Dietl and went 5-hole for Latvia’s first of the tournament. Undisciplined play by Lutz led to a man advantage for Latvia and Rubzerts Bukarts made him play with a rocket one timer. Then after lost coverage by Lutz, Peteris Bulans pots Latvia’s third goal of the period.
In the second period, Samuel Schindler gets Germany on the board with a weak wrister entering the zone but Latvia answers after a bad German line change and Rainers Darzins gets in on a partial break to put Latvia back up 3. Another penalty by Lutz allowed Sandis Vilmanis to score a one timer goal to end the period. Vilmanis continued where he left off in the second to make it 6-1 after a strong power move to the net after a nice feed from Bruin’s 4th rounder Dans Locmelis. Germany had a breath of life after Sabres prospect Norwin Panocha snuck in from the point to give the Germans their second goal of the game. However, after Veit Oswald made a dangerous hit from behind that led to a 5-minute power play for Latvia, Germany was out of the game and handed Latvia the win.
Three stars
#1 Jonas Taibel - Switzerland
Switzerland’s captain played a really strong game today and was a major reason why the Swiss defeated the Norwegians. Taibel was all over the ice, facilitating plays and being dangerous throughout. Not only did he score the game winning goal for Team Switzerland (an absolute snipe might I add) but he added three helpers in the game to give him a four-point day, truly a great performance to propel Switzerland to the win.
#2 Sandis Vilmanis - Latvia
Vilmanis, a Florida Panthers fourth round selection, came out to play for the Latvians today in a must win game for the nation. The Sarnia Sting forward was constantly causing headaches for the Germans on the forecheck with his speed and was dangerous when given space in the offensive zone. Vilmanis had two goals in the game including a real nice power move to the front of the net to give Latvia a 6-1 lead.
#3 Rodwin Dioninco - Switzerland
Dionicio, who is the lone NHL drafted player on this Swiss roster played a very strong game for the Swiss in this one. He was constantly joining the rush, thwarting plays all over the ice, being physical and most importantly had 2 of the Swiss’ 6 goals in this game. The Anaheim Ducks prospect showcased his offensive ability on his two goals, one of which was a deadly snipe on the Norwegian goalie, and the other was him cutting to the net showcasing how fearless he can be. All in all an impressive performance.