Before the Swiss ice hockey team takes part in the Karjala Cup in Finland, they have a big test match ahead of them. And the opponent is anything but easy.
For years, Swiss ice hockey fans have had to make do with the same, less than thrilling opponents in international test matches. Another time against Slovakia, then again against Belarus, France, Norway or, at best, a duel against Germany.
But this year things are suddenly different. From November 8 to 12, the national team will play in the prestigious Finnish national tournament, the Karjala Cup, where they can test themselves against the greats of world ice hockey.
But that's not all. Patrick Fischer's team will kick off the tournament at home in Biel against Canada before continuing in Helsinki with games against the Czech Republic and Russia.
Because the Olympic Games will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February for the first time since 1998 without NHL professionals, the test games have become much more important. The Canadians began to forge their Olympic squad in mid-summer with two tournaments in Russia. Players employed in Switzerland such as Mason Raymond, Andrew Ebbett, Maxim Noreau (all Bern), Jacob Micflikier, Marc-Antoine Pouliot (both Biel), Cory Emmerton (Ambri) and David McIntyre (Zug) also had the opportunity to recommend themselves for higher tasks.
Micflikier, Noreau and Raymond stood out as scorers, with the latter scoring twice against KHL team Metallurg Magnitogorsk and causing a stir with a spectacular goal. The winger caught the goalie with an "airhook", in which he pulled the disk sticking to the stick blade from behind the goal under the crossbar. Will we also see such tricks in Biel, if possible even from the Swiss?
ICE HOCKEY INTERNATIONAL SWITZERLAND - CANADA
November 8, 2017, Tissot Arena Biel
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