With the first overall seed in the quarterfinals, the US were supposed to have an easy go of it, at least until the semifinals. The Swiss continued to prove that they are developing into a force to be reckoned with, however, and put up quite the fight in their quarterfinal matchup with the Americans earlier today.
Jonas Hiller turned in a fantastic performance, stopping 42 shots, and getting a little help from the iron behind him. The Americans hit a number of posts throughout the game, and despite outshooting the Swiss 32-8 through the first two periods, the game went into the 3rd period with both teams scoreless. The US actually managed to bounce one in off of Hiller as the 2nd period ended, but he was able to get enough of it to slow it down, and the puck didn’t cross the line until time had expired.
There was plenty of action at both ends in the 3rd, as the Swiss ramped up their offense, getting 11 shots on Ryan Miller in the final frame. One attempted shot beat Ryan Miller, but went off the inside of the post and was scooped out of the crease by an American defender before it could cross the line. Just a few minutes later, the US had a chance of their own that nearly went in, but was also ruled a no-goal. Spurring the Swiss offense to life was Zach Parise’s powerplay goal off a soft rebound in the crease in the opening minutes of the period that finally gave the US the lead. Switzerland pulled the goalie with nearly two minutes left to play, setting up a frantic finish, but Parise was able to bury an empty netter with 12 seconds remaining, sealing the game, and sending the Swiss home.
Team USA will now await the result of tonight’s game between the Finns and Czechs.