That win against Canada 20 years ago helped to spark a push for a greater and richer hockey tradition in Switzerland.
It expanded four years later, when the Swiss came oh so close to defeating Canada again, coming back from 2-0 down only to lose 3-2 on Sidney Crosby’s shootout winner in the preliminary round of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
Switzerland also gave the U.S. a game in the quarterfinals of the 2010 Olympics, losing 2-0 on Zach Parise’s goal 2:08 into the third period and his empty-netter at 19:48.
Similarly, in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, Switzerland won 1-0 against Czechia and lost 1-0 to Sweden in the preliminary round before being eliminated by Team Latvia in a 3-1 loss in the qualification round.
NHL players are playing in the Olympics for the first time since then, but Switzerland has grown in talent and success on the international stage with 10 NHL players on its roster here, including Josi, who became the first Switzerland-born player to win a major NHL individual award when he took home the Norris Trophy for the League’s top defenseman in 2019-20.
“Obviously, look at our group, the accomplishments we have on our team, a Norris winner, I think it’s come a long way,” Suter said. “Also the last two World Championships, how well some guys have played, getting those medals and in the group stage being in the upper places shows the depth of it. We bought into the system that works for us right now.”
Well, clearly Canada has too, and not just now.
Canada has won 14 of 16 best-on-best games and two Olympic gold medals since that loss to the Swiss 20 years ago.
“I mean, I think we all know what we’re up against,” Josi said. “Canada is an amazing team, amazing players. We’re going to need our best.”
Maybe DiPietro and Gerber too.
