2010 Winter Olympics: Canada vs. Switzerland Highlights and Analysis

Mark RitterFeb 18, 2010

Coming into tonight’s game against Switzerland, there was plenty mention of the 2006 Winter Olympics—the year that Switzerland beat Canada by a score of 2-0.

For Switzerland, their victory was akin to the American’s Miracle on Ice of 1980—nobody thought the Swiss would beat the mighty Canadians; comparatively, for Canada, the loss was a wake up call and cause for embarrassment.

Canada’s loss in 2006 stung not only the players; it penetrated an entire nation. Canada is widely regarded as hockey’s cream of the crop, and a loss to Switzerland was both unacceptable and alarming.

Canada’s roster has changed significantly since the 2006 Olympics. Of those who were on Canada’s roster in 2006, only eight players are returning—Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Dany Heatley, Jarome Iginla, Rick Nash, Eric Staal (who was an alternate), and Joe Thornton.

This time around in Vancouver, Canada has put an emphasis on selecting players who can play a full 200 feet of the ice and have some prior exposure to each other. Familiarity, it seems, is at a premium, with goal scoring ability and two-way play being the foundations from which Canada’s roster was selected.

Youngsters Sidney Crosby, Shea Weber, Drew Doughty, and Jonathan Toews represent a new breed of player for Canada’s Olympic roster. Highly skilled, offensively gifted, fast, and gritty, all four of these players are expected to make a huge impact throughout the Olympic competition.

Switzerland has gone through some changes as well. Martin Gerber—who was the goaltender of record the night the Swiss beat Canada in 2006, was not in the nets tonight. That honor went to Jonas Hiller, who toils for the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks.

The question heading into tonight’s game: Would Canada’s changes equate into a win for the Canucks or would Switzerland’s defensive style reign supreme once again?

So, with revenge on their minds and with a clean slate, Canada took to the ice with the intent of beating up the offensively-challenged Swiss team—a team that typically plays a solid defensive game, widely known as the dreaded “trap.”

Martin Brodeur, who sat out Canada’s first tilt versus Norway, got the start for Canada against the Swiss. It is unknown whether or not he will get the nod for the remainder of the tournament.

Early on in their match against Norway, Canada struggled to find their chemistry. Against the Swiss, Canada would struggle to find their way once again, looking somewhat sluggish early on especially on their first two power plays, failing to get much pressure on Hiller.

Shortly thereafter, just as many Canadian’s were starting to think, “Here we go again,” Dany Heatley—who was booed Canada’s selection camp—scored to make it 1-0 Canada. It was Heatley’s third goal of the tournament.

And, just like that, Canada had exorcised the demons, breaking Switzerland’s shutout streak and giving Canada the lead they needed to open up the game against the trapping Swiss.

Surprisingly, Switzerland came out of their shell on more than a few occasions, attacking Canada in the offensive zone which resulted in numerous goal scoring chances and a total of eight shots for the Swiss in the period—albeit, none of them beating Brodeur.

Swiss goaltender, Jonas Hiller, was exceptional between the pipes, stopping 16 Canadian shots and looking every bit the All-Star goalie he is regarded as being in the NHL. Hiller was the reason it was only 1-0 after 20 minutes of play, end of story.

After going 0-for-3 on the power play in the first period, Canada was awarded with another chance with under a minute played in the second period. Canada would not disappoint this time around, as Patrick Marleau blasted a puck past Jonas Hiller—top shelf! Two-0 Canada!

After a few close calls in the Canadian zone, the Swiss finally got one past Marty Brodeur when Ivo Ruthermann (who plays for SC Bern with the Swiss League), scored his first goal of the tournament, blazing a shot over Brodeur’s left shoulder—off the post and into the top corner, making it 2-1.

Shortly thereafter, Canada took a penalty, but the Swiss were unable to capitalize. It was another example of Canada’s undisciplined play and a prelude of things to come.

After struggling early in the second period, the Swiss applied good offensive pressure on Canada, all but abandoning their defense-first style and instead, going with an aggressive counter-attack.

As the final seconds ticked down in the second period, with a Chris Pronger penalty looming (another example of Canada’s undisciplined play), the Swiss scored the tying goal when defenseman Patrick von Guten shot the puck towards the net which hit Canada’s Patrick Marleau, eluding Brodeur. Two-2 after two periods of play...

No question about it: Through 40 minutes, Switzerland outplayed Canada five-on-five —would Canada be able to respond in the third period?

Known for their frustrating brand of play, the Swiss continuously took liberties with the Canadian forwards—including a high sticking incident on Sidney Crosby, which went uncalled by the referees.

With just under eight minutes to go in the game and with Canada on an odd-man rush, Ryan Getzlaf was robbed by Hiller when he failed to score on a terrific shot from the side of the net that somehow stayed out. Once again, Hiller saved the day, leaving many Canadian fans to ask: Who is this guy, Martin Gerber?

With Canada seemingly snakebitten, the plot thickening, and the game still tied, the crowd began to get restless. Canada needed a goal in the worst way and, with 2:51 to go in the game, Team Canada was going on the power play.

Switzerland stood three players at their blue line and one defenseman back throughout Canada’s power play with the intent of standing Canada’s forward up and getting the puck 200 feet down the ice—which, evidently, was very effective.

Canada shot just two pucks at the Swiss net but were unable to capitalize on the “gift” that was their late power play opportunity.

With 32.9 seconds left and the puck deep in the Swiss zone, Sidney Crosby missed a glorious chance to end the game, leaving both Crosby and the crowd silent and shocked.

Canada outshot the Swiss 18-3 in the third. The Canucks owned the Swiss and, by all accounts, deserved a better fate.

Overtime would prove nothing, so Canada and Switzerland headed to the dreaded shoot-out...

Sidney Crosby stopped by Hiller—a pad save on a move where Crosby failed to get the puck up. Jonathan Toews went high glove side, but failed to score. Ryan Getzlaf missed on his chance.

Martin Brodeur stopped all three Swiss shooters, which now meant the teams would send one shooter at a time.

First up? Canada’s Sidney Crosby, who would get a chance at redemption. Crosby didn’t disappoint, blasting a shot past Hiller, stick side. One-0, Canada!

With the game on the line, the nation held it’s collective breath and turned it’s eyes on Marty Brodeur. The Swiss skater shot the puck right into Brodeur’s chest. Game over, Canada wins!

In the end, Canada won a close one, closer than many, including myself, ever expected.

On another note, I have always detested the shoot-out, and I hated to see the game end this way. They should let the players decide the outcome, not a shoot-out. But I digress...

If Jonas Hiller wasn’t a household name before tonight, he sure is now. Canada’s failure to put away the Swiss in regulation time cost them a valuable point in the standings, making a victory against the United States on Sunday all the more important.

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