Germany relegated, Switzerland goes to Helsinki

Switzerland needs just two game to dispatch Germany and earn a spot in Elite division also for next year. As was clear from the first game of the tournament, Germany needs to grow again to compete at this level. Coaches choose again Kevin Reich and Gauthier Descloux in the net. In the first period Germany opens the score in an action between the best players: Frederik Tiffels served behind the net Parker Tuomie for the lethal one-timer. But the German advantage lasts one minute, until 15:10, when Jason Fuchs ties the game assisted by Luca Fazzini. One minute more and Switzerland reverses the score with its promising first line: Keniv Fiala and Noah Rod manufactures the first goal in the tournament of Dennis Malgin.

In the second period Noah Rod  tries to beat Reich with a wrap-around but the goalie is ready to block. Descloux made first difficult save at 22, deflecting a long-range shot by Dorian Saeftel. The first power play produces shots by Fazzini and Hischier but is immediately after that Switzerland scores the third goal: goalie Reich is not perfect in throwing away the puck that dances near the cage until the final touch of Pius Suter.

Pius Suter: 3-1 Switzerland

A post hit one minute later confirm the supremacy of John Fust team. Reich is superb at 26 stopping Timo Meir with a spectacular dive. A power play earned by Germany keep the game alive: again the goal comes from behind the net: the pass of Tiffels finds the one-timer of Andreas Eder, forgotten by Swiss defense.

Gauthier Descloux can only observe the puck shot by Andreas Eder in the net

After 2 minutes of last period, Fabio Pfohl hit the post after a good personal action. Germany starts the period trying to pressure opponent looking for the tie goal. Switzerland seems surprised and needs some minute to organize a valid answer. At 51 Vladiskav Filin calls twice Descloux to a difficult save. Exactly when Germany is producing the best effort to tie game, an incredible mistake by defense allows  Pius Suter to score the goal that close the game, doubled by Timo Maier one minute after: the Halifax Mooseheads forward takes a rebound from Reich netting the goal number five. Pat Cortina pulls goalie Reich in a desperate tentative to recover three goals in 3 minutes. The final siege produces some shots, really never dangerous, a penalty called to Phil Baltisberger leaving Switzerland down to two men in last two minutes and an incredible empty net goal missed by Hischier. Enough for a game that sealing another relegation for Germany and the conclusion of a campaign really under the expectation for Switzerland.

German captain Dominik Kahun is the only player to face the journalists in the mixed zone: "We played our best game today, but is too late. If we "We didn't play well in the group stage, and that's why we're here now. if we had played as tonight against Slovakia, we would not be here. It’s a pity because we are a great group We came together three weeks ago, and we had so much fun. Everybody was excited about playing. It's just the saddest thing."

Also the Swiss player don’t have reasons to celebrate, apart from having avoided relegation: “we should not be here – said forward Luca Fazzini – we lost the decisive game with Denmark, the only one we should not lose.”

“We have a good team, everyone want to play quarter finals – said Jason Fuchs – so it’s extremely disappointing. We can only blame ourselves, it’s a lesson for the future. It’s a pity for Germany, they are a battling team and I’m sure they will be back to Elite division soon”

MVP:  Fabio Wagner -  Jason Fuchs

The best three players for the tournament for Germany: Jonas Muller, Parker Tuomie, Frederik Tiffels

The best three players for the tournament for Switzerland: Noah Rod, Timo Maier, Kevin Fiala

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