2014 World Junior A Challenge

SWISS SCORE TWO IN THIRD TO EDGE CANADA WEST FOR FIFTH AT WJAC

JASON LA ROSE

KINDERSLEY, Sask. – Sandro Forrer and Tino Kessler scored the game-tying and game-winning goals 50 seconds apart in the third period, helping Switzerland to a 3-2 win over Canada West in Friday afternoon’s fifth-place game at the 2014 World Junior A Challenge.

The result is the worst ever for both teams at the tournament; neither had ever missed out on the semifinals in a combined 11 previous appearances, but were both quarter-final losers on Wednesday.

Romain Chuard also scored for the Swiss, while Sheldon Rempal (Calgary, Alta./Nanaimo, BCHL) was responsible for both Canada West goals in a losing cause.

Both teams came out slowly, combining for just 11 shots on goal in the first period, and it took the Canadians more than 10 minutes to test Swiss goaltender Daniel Muff for the first time.

Rempal finally broke through for Canada West just past the midway mark of the second, digging out a loose puck in the Swiss crease and jamming his first goal of the tournament past Muff.

He struck again just 3:01 later, showing off his hands in the slot before beating Muff for the 2-0 goal.

The Swiss comeback began just 71 seconds after Rempal’s second goal; Chuard let go a wrist shot just inside the Canadian blue-line that found its way through goaltender Evan Weninger (Saskatoon, Sask./Kindersley, SJHL) to cut the Canada West lead in half.

Switzerland drew even at 7:10 of the third period when Forrer walked out of the corner on a Swiss power play and snapped a shot past Weninger, and Kessler tipped in a Calvin Thürkauf shot less than a minute later for the winner.

The Canadians finished with a 26-20 advantage in shots, but went goalless in three power play chances.
Weninger finished with 17 saves in his first start of the tournament in front of his home fans.