|
CANADA FALLS TO SWITZERLAND IN SWISS CHALLENGE
RAPPERSWIL, SWITZERLAND – Martin Kariya (North Vancouver, BC) and Serge Aubin (Val-d’Or, QC) had a goal
and an assist apiece in the first period, but Canada’s National Men’s Team fell 4-2 to Switzerland in the
Swiss Challenge on Tuesday night.
Canada iced a team made up of Canadian players playing professionally in Switzerland, Austria and Germany.
A new group of players – along with holdovers Richie Regehr (Rosthern, SK) and Mario Scalzo (St-Hubert, QC) –
will travel to Germany this week to play in the 2008 Deutschland Cup, which opens Friday in Mannheim.
The Swiss excited the 5,228 in attendance at the Diners Club Arena early, as Andreas Ambühl converted a
pass from Toronto-born Ryan Gardner for a quick 1-0 lead.
Kariya struck back for the Canadians just 4:51 later on a set up from Aubin and, after Ivo Rüthemann had
restored the Swiss lead, connected again late in the period to send the game to the first intermission tied
2-2.
After a scoreless second period the Swiss converted on a powerplay opportunity six minutes into the third
period, with Beat Forster getting a shot past Canadian netminder Frederic Cassivi (Sorel, QC).
The Swiss got into penalty trouble late, taking four consecutive minors in the final nine minutes, but
Canada failed to capitalize and Sandy Jeannin scored a shorthanded empty net insurance goal in the final
minute to put the game out of reach.
Despite taking the loss, Canada outshot Switzerland in all three periods, and 34-21 overall. Swiss
goaltender Ronald Rüeger turned aside 32 shots, including 15 in the third period, to register the win.
Canada opens the 2008 Deutschland Cup on Friday when it faces Slovakia at 10 a.m. EST. Follow along with
Canada’s National Men’s Team only at hockeycanada.ca as it chases its fourth title at the tournament.
|
