MILAN — Switzerland kicked off the Olympic ice hockey tournament with a commanding 4-0 win over France on Thursday, showcasing a lineup bolstered by NHL players. Timo Meier of the New Jersey Devils scored twice in the third period, while veteran goaltender Leonardo Genoni stopped every shot he faced, helping secure the shutout.
Early goals from Damien Riat and J.J. Moser of the Tampa Bay Lightning gave Switzerland an early advantage, with Riat scoring just 55 seconds into the game and Moser adding another three minutes later. The team maintained control throughout, leaving little doubt about the outcome.
Timo Meier’s Goals Seal Switzerland’s Commanding Victory
Meier’s two third-period goals effectively put the contest out of reach for France, as the Swiss team exerted constant pressure, particularly through the efforts of his teammate, Keller. Meier described the team’s effort as
a mature performance how we put the game away.
Moser reflected on the early scoring burst that set the tone for Switzerland’s performance:
It helps you a lot if you score two in the first, whatever it was, five minutes,
he said.
It just gives you a little bit more comfort, more confidence also for the rest of the game.
The Swiss squad outshot France 43-27, buoyed by an enthusiastic fan base that energized the atmosphere at the arena.
Leonardo Genoni’s Goaltending Anchors Switzerland’s Defense
The 38-year-old Genoni was the backbone of Switzerland’s defense, delivering a flawless performance in goal. Last spring, Genoni played a pivotal role in leading Switzerland to the final at the world championships, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to the U.S. in overtime. His efforts earned him the tournament MVP honors with a 0.99 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage.
Reflecting on the win, Genoni said,
We had a really, really good start into the game and could shut the door behind. It’s a perfect start for us.
Looking Ahead: Switzerland Prepares to Face Olympic Favorite Canada
Switzerland’s next challenge arrives Friday against Canada, a top contender for the gold medal. Forward Nino Niederreiter acknowledged the difficulty ahead but expressed determination:
Obviously a big team coming up,
he said.
We’re going to try our best to poke the bear a little bit and see if we can go from there.
Meanwhile, Canada was set to face Czechia later in the afternoon, while the U.S. planned to open its campaign against Latvia with Connor Hellebuyck starting in goal. U.S. coach Mike Sullivan expressed strong confidence in his goaltenders:
He’s obviously an elite goalie,
Sullivan said.
We think we have three elite goalies. We have ultimate confidence in all three guys. These decisions aren’t easy, but we made a decision to start with Connor and we’ll go from there.
Significance of Switzerland’s Strong Olympic Start and Upcoming Prospects
Switzerland’s decisive victory over France highlights the strength added by NHL talent like Timo Meier and J.J. Moser, reinforcing the team’s competitive status in the Olympics. With Genoni providing reliable goaltending and confident performances across the roster, Switzerland appears well-prepared for the challenging matches ahead, including their clash with Canada. How the Swiss perform in these next games could shape their path deeper into the tournament, while fans and analysts alike watch with anticipation.
