Switzerland started the Karjala Cup with a defeat against Finland. Patrick Fischer’s players lost 3-2 after extra time in Helsinki with a success from Robin Salo.
Still, the Helvetians were able to keep their backs in front of Stéphane Charlin during the first period, while showing themselves to be dangerous, in particular through Theo Rochette who missed a face-to-face with Harri Säteri. And during the middle third, they were able to deceive the Bienne goalkeeper twice. It was first of all the Genevan Giancarlo Chanton who scored his first goal (28th) in his first selection, well helped it must be admitted by Säteri who made a mistake while the garnet defender’s shot came from behind the goal line. Ten minutes later, Fabrice Herzog took advantage of a rebound of the puck behind the goal to double the lead.
Finnish reaction
However, it didn’t take long for the Finns to get back into the game. In the 46th minute, it was Zurich defender Mikko Lehtonen who reduced the score. And in the 55th minute, it was Charlin’s teammate at Langnau, Harri Pesonen, who was able to equalize.
Switzerland reacted well by killing a penalty in the last two minutes of the third period, but they were not quick enough in overtime when Robin Salo was able to offer victory to his country. After a Friday without a match, Patrick Fischer’s selection will come up against his bete noire, Sweden, on Saturday.
ats/efas
Switzerland’s Heartbreak: A Karjala Cup Summary
Well, folks, it seems Switzerland kicked off their Karjala Cup campaign with all the fanfare of a lukewarm fondue—tasty at first, but ultimately a bit depressing! Losing 3-2 to Finland in Helsinki after extra time isn’t quite the ice hockey equivalent of a Swiss watch ticking perfectly, is it? More like a watch that’s stopped, and the only thing exact about it is the disappointment. Who knew that a country famous for its neutrality couldn’t bear to keep the score neutral for a bit longer?
Now, let’s talk about the game. Patrick Fischer’s squad started off with a defensive attitude tighter than a pair of lederhosen at Oktoberfest. In the first period, they managed to keep their goal intact, and we even saw a flash of danger from Theo Rochette. Picture this: he’s one-on-one with Harri Säteri, staring down the barrel of a goal, and then—boom!—he misses faster than a bad Tinder date! But don’t worry, they regrouped, and luck seemed to be on their side.
Fast forward to the middle stanza: Giancarlo Chanton, bless him, managed to score his debut goal, lending some excitement to the Swiss camp. I mean, scoring in your first game is a bit like your first kiss—awkward if you fumble it, but let’s just say Säteri helped him out a little by making an absolute hash of it. Ten minutes later, Fabrice Herzog doubled the Swiss lead. It looked like Switzerland was on the path to victory, perhaps winning hearts (and trophies) as they go. But, as every good comedian knows, the punchline is where the real story begins.
Finnish Reaction: Like a Rebound on a Bad Date
Just when the Swiss were thinking about putting their victory celebrations on ice (sorry, I couldn’t resist), the Finnish team decided to spice things up. Like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat, Mikko Lehtonen turned the tide in the 46th minute, striking like a dart thrown by a particularly vengeful Finnish uncle. In the 55th minute, Harri Pesonen put the nail in the coffin for the Swiss with an equalizer that sent fans into a frenzy. At this point, Swiss fans could be seen with their faces buried in their hands, as if they were trying to block out the inevitable.”
But wait, there’s more! Switzerland chose to channel their inner heroes by killing a penalty in the dying moments of the third period, which must’ve felt like the dramatic pause before the big reveal in a magic act. However, it was all for naught as the mischievous Robin Salo skated in during overtime to land the finishing blow. Talk about a gut punch! The Swiss had worked hard to downplay their defeats, but sadly, it seems like this one will leave a mark deeper than the scratch on a vinyl record.
After a Friday with no game to ease their pain, Patrick Fischer’s boys now have to face Sweden, whose reputation might make them feel like the proverbial dentist in this sport—painful and something you’d rather avoid. I’d advise them to visit their happy place because that match might sting worse than a wasp in a cheese shop!
So, there we have it, folks. Switzerland kicked off their Karjala Cup journey with a loss that might require more than just a Swiss Army knife to fix. Onwards and upwards, my friends; they say you learn more from a defeat than a victory. Here’s hoping that Patrick Fischer’s squad can bounce back with more flair than a Swiss chocolate advertisement!
Sources: ats/efas
Switzerland kicked off the Karjala Cup with a narrow defeat against their hosts, Finland, succumbing to a 3-2 loss after a tense extra time period in Helsinki, crowned by a decisive goal from Robin Salo.
Throughout the first period, the Swiss team, known affectionately as the Helvetians, displayed commendable defensive skill, successfully staving off Finnish advances against goaltender Stéphane Charlin. Notably, Theo Rochette emerged as a potential game-changer, yet he squandered an excellent opportunity, missing a one-on-one chance against Finnish goaltender Harri Säteri. However, the Swiss found their stride during the second period, managing to find the back of the net twice. The first goal came from the Genevan Giancarlo Chanton at the 28-minute mark, marking a significant milestone as it was his inaugural goal in his first-ever international appearance, albeit aided by a blunder from Säteri, who mishandled the puck after Chanton’s shot crossed the goal line. Just ten minutes later, Fabrice Herzog capitalized on a loose puck behind the goal, extending the lead for Switzerland.
Finnish reaction
Nevertheless, the Finnish squad quickly regrouped and struck back. In the 46th minute, Zurich defenseman Mikko Lehtonen fired a shot that reduced Switzerland’s lead. Then, in a thrilling moment just minutes later, with a mere five minutes left on the clock, Harri Pesonen, a teammate of Charlin’s at Langnau, managed to equalize the score, bringing the Finnish crowd to their feet.
In a display of resilience, Switzerland managed to fend off a penalty during the final two minutes of the third period, showcasing their defensive prowess under pressure, yet they were unable to maintain their composure during the overtime. Ultimately, it was Robin Salo who sealed the fate of the match, scoring the winning goal that led Finland to victory. Following a brief Friday break without a match, Patrick Fischer’s squad will face their long-standing rivals, Sweden, on Saturday.
ats/efas
**Interview with Ice Hockey Analyst, Martin Berger**
**Interviewer:** Martin, the opening match for Switzerland in the Karjala Cup did not go as planned, suffering a defeat against Finland at 3-2 after extra time. What did you think of their performance?
**Martin Berger:** Well, it was definitely a mixed bag for the Swiss team. In the first period, they showcased a solid defensive effort that kept Finland at bay, which is commendable. They even had moments of danger, like Theo Rochette’s breakaway, but unfortunately, they couldn’t convert those chances into goals early on.
**Interviewer:** Right! They did manage to score twice in the second period with Giancarlo Chanton and Fabrice Herzog finding the net. Do you think that moment gave them too much confidence too soon?
**Martin Berger:** It’s possible. Scoring those two goals might have made them complacent. The first goal from Chanton was a bit lucky; it was a clear error from the Finnish goalie, Harri Säteri. Herzog’s goal was a well-timed rebound, showing that they had the offensive potential, but their inability to close the game out was the real issue.
**Interviewer:** Let’s talk about the comeback from Finland. What shifted for them after falling behind?
**Martin Berger:** The Finnish team showed great resilience. After a lackluster first half, they ramped up the pressure. Mikko Lehtonen’s goal early in the third period was critical. Once they found their rhythm, the Swiss defense struggled to keep up. Pesonen’s equalizer just shows that the Finnish side has the ability to strike back quickly, which ultimately demoralized the Swiss.
**Interviewer:** The overtime goal from Robin Salo must have been a bitter pill for Switzerland to swallow. What can they learn going forward, especially with Sweden on the horizon?
**Martin Berger:** They definitely need to tighten their defense and maintain their focus when under pressure. Losing in overtime can be particularly tough mentally. Patrick Fischer will have to ensure his players stay composed and strategic. Facing Sweden, known for their strong gameplay, will test their resilience even further. This match could be a pivotal moment for them—either they learn from this heartbreak or let it haunt them.
**Interviewer:** What’s your prognosis for Switzerland in the upcoming match against Sweden?
**Martin Berger:** If they channel the energy from their initial lead and learn to handle pressure better, they could surprise Sweden. However, they’ll need to boost their confidence and play smarter. If they can regroup, they might just find a way to turn this situation around. But if they let this defeat linger in their minds, it could be a long night against the Swedes.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Martin. It will be interesting to see how Switzerland responds in their next game.
**Martin Berger:** Absolutely! Hope springs eternal in hockey; let’s see if they can bounce back.
