Could not assert himself enough and was ousted by Kevin Fiala: Grégory Hofmann (left)
Image: Keystone
Last year's silver hero Sven Jung (left) has also only been able to show his skills in training so far
Image: Keystone
There could be room if Christian Marti, who was injured in the second game against Denmark, is out for longer
Image: Keystone
A strong start to the World Cup: Tyler Moy is the big winner in the Swiss team
Image: Keystone
Always there where it burns and hurts: the young Simon Knak (right) is an invigorating element in the Swiss team
Image: Keystone
Always hard on the man, but disciplined and still without a penalty: defender Andrea Glauser
Image: Keystone
Two defenders have not yet made it onto the match sheet: Dominik Egli is one of them
Image: Keystone
Can count himself lucky: National coach Patrick Fischer with NHL stars Kevin Fiala (number 21) and Timo Meier (28)
Image: Keystone
Davos goalie Sandro Aeschlimann has also always had to sit in the stands so far
Image: Keystone
Could not assert himself enough and was ousted by Kevin Fiala: Grégory Hofmann (left)
Image: Keystone
Last year's silver hero Sven Jung (left) has also only been able to show his skills in training so far
Image: Keystone
There could be room if Christian Marti, who was injured in the second game against Denmark, is out for longer
Image: Keystone
A strong start to the World Cup: Tyler Moy is the big winner in the Swiss team
Image: Keystone
Always there where it burns and hurts: the young Simon Knak (right) is an invigorating element in the Swiss team
Image: Keystone
Always hard on the man, but disciplined and still without a penalty: defender Andrea Glauser
Image: Keystone
Two defenders have not yet made it onto the match sheet: Dominik Egli is one of them
Image: Keystone
Can count himself lucky: National coach Patrick Fischer with NHL stars Kevin Fiala (number 21) and Timo Meier (28)
Image: Keystone
Davos goalie Sandro Aeschlimann has also always had to sit in the stands so far
Image: Keystone
The Swiss have completed almost half of their preliminary round workload at the Ice Hockey World Championship in Herning. Winners and losers have emerged from the team's convincing performance so far.
14.05.2025, 05:01
14.05.2025, 11:18
SDA
Seven and a half of the nine periods that Switzerland have played in Herning so far have been good, according to head coach Patrick Fischer. Last year's finalists are clearly on course for the quarter-finals and more after an unfortunate defeat against the world champions Czech Republic (4:5 n.V.), a somewhat gnarled victory against the hosts Denmark (5:2) and a convincing performance from A to Z against the USA (3:0). On the first of two days off, it's worth taking a look at the winners and losers in the team.
Winners
Tyler Moy (29 years old, 2 goals/3 assists, +3 rating, 39:12 minutes of ice time): The American-Swiss was one of the shaky candidates before the World Championships, now he is the biggest winner of the first week of the tournament on the Swiss team. He was considered a placeholder on the first line until the arrival of Kevin Fiala, but against the USA he started alongside the NHL star of the Los Angeles Kings. Timo Meier had to make way for Fiala, giving the second line a boost. With two goals and three assists, Moy is the best scorer for the Swiss so far, and his plus/minus record of plus 3 proves that the line is also doing its job defensively. However, he will have to continue to deliver to defend his place on the parade line.
Simon Knak (23, 0 /0, +1, 33:26): The native of Zurich, who now plays for Davos, is still without a scoring point in his first World Championship appearance, but he impresses with his energy, as he did in preparation. He fearlessly curves in front of the opponent's goal and causes trouble there, from which his teammates benefit. Knak has already been promoted from the fourth to the third line, and his first World Cup goal should only be a matter of time.
Andrea Glauser (29, 0/0, 0, 61:55): The defenseman returning to Fribourg-Gottéron shines not with feats or productivity, but with his attitude. He still seems to be so upset about losing the playoff final with Lausanne that he gets into fights with all opponents on the ice, even if they are half a head taller. With over 60 minutes of ice time, he is the workhorse of the Swiss team and, despite his physical style, has yet to earn a penalty minute.
Patrick Fischer: Just a few weeks ago there were fears of a World Championship without major NHL reinforcements, but the stars from overseas were not deterred by the idea of taking it easy or by personal strokes of fate. This underlines how willing these millionaires are to stick their necks out for Switzerland and their coach. It would be presumptuous to list the NHL stars as winners here; after all, their performances are no surprise. Nevertheless, it is impressive how Kevin Fiala whirled in the first game, the overview with which captain and first-line center Nico Hischier steered the game and the force with which Timo Meier plowed through the opposing defensive lines. Defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler shone both defensively and offensively despite recently recovering from injury, while Janis Moser impressed with his calm and discipline.
Loser:
Grégory Hofmann (32, 0/2, 0, 25:32): After two seasons marked by foot injuries, Grégory Hofmann rather surprisingly made it into a World Championship squad once again. His problem is similar to Tyler Moy's: he is measured by goals and offensive production and is not a player for a more defensive-oriented line. After a modest performance, especially against Denmark, there was no room for him in the lineup after the arrival of Fiala. Without injuries, he might have a hard time regaining it.
Sven Jung (29) and Dominik Egli (26): The Davos native and his former teammate (now Frölunda Göteborg) have yet to play in their second World Championships despite good performances in the playoffs. Even if there is still a free spot in the squad for an outfielder, this is unlikely to change, provided all seven registered defenders can play. This is still open in the case of Christian Marti, who was absent against the USA. Striker Dario Rohrbach is also only a guest at training and in the stands. The Langnau player's chances of making an appearance are slim, but his presence in Herning is already a valuable experience for him.
Sandro Aeschlimann (30): The Davos goalie lost the battle for the number 2 spot behind Leonardo Genoni to the younger and less experienced Stéphane Charlin. Aeschlimann has also not yet been announced, perhaps Patrick Fischer is still waiting for Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights, who may become available.
