Russia Blanks Switzerland In 2014 Ice Hockey World Championship Opener

Igor Burdetskiy May 9, 2014

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MINSK, BELARUS - MAY 9: Russia's Alexander Ovechkin #8 celebrates after giving his team a 2-0 lead over Switzerland during preliminary round action at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/HHOF-IIHF Images)

It didn’t take Russia long to get on the board in their 2014 World Championship opener. In-fact, it took a mere 13 seconds as Sergei Plotnikov’s put Russia ahead and would hold on to having his marker be the game winner. Alexander Ovechkin double Russia’s lead on the power-play and Evgeny Kuznetsov tallied one more to give the team a three goal lead going into the first intermission.

Switzerland seemed like a team out of sync for much of the game and only put a handful of good scoring chances together when not being out-dominated by Russia’s aggressive forecheck. Anton Belov widened the lead for Russia to four and Danis Zairpov notched a late third period goal to cap off a 5-0 victory. Standing tall in net for Russia was Sergei Bobrovsky who made 27 saves in earning his shutout to open the tournament.

With the win Russia picked up three points and will look forward to earning more to secure a playoff spot. Meanwhile, Switzerland will need to regroup and adjust their game if they plan on making a run to earn a playoff spot of their own. Last year the team went undefeated through the tournament before losing in the golden game. However, Switzerland is without NHL netminder Jonas Hiller in this tournament as his current NHL team, the Anaheim Ducks, is in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, thus weakening the Swiss team in net for this year’s tournament.

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Igor Burdetskiy

Founder, Editor-in-Chief, & CEO at Hooked on Hockey Magazine

I grew up playing Ball and Roller Hockey day and night somewhat religiously throughout elementary and middle school. The two don't compare though when I lace up the skates and hit the ice. I live and breathe hockey beyond the perspective of "it's just a game" and I will gladly talk hockey for hours with anyone. Hockey is more than just a lifestyle, it's a culture of passionate people who make memories every time the puck is dropped. Hockey has not only helped me get through some of the hardest times in life but has created some of the best memories to date. Want to talk hockey with me? Shoot me an email: iburdetskiy@hookedonhockey.com and let's talk some hockey!