Switzerland's Kevin Fiala celebrates with teammates after scoring against Canada at the 2024 World Championships. (Darko Vojinovic/AP Photo)

By Associated Press

Playing for bronze

Canada upset by Switzerland in semis at men’s World Hockey Championship

May 25, 2024 | 6:31 PM

Switzerland prevailed in a penalty shootout to stun Canada 3-2 and set up the final against Czechia at the ice hockey world championship on Saturday.

Sven Andrighetto scored the decisive shootout goal after the game finished 2-2 in regulation with no team scoring in the 10-minute overtime.

The 28-time champion Canada had to settle for the bronze-medal game against Sweden.

Kevin Fiala scored, added an assist and scored one of the two Swiss goals in the shootout. Nino Niederreiter also scored for Switzerland. Goaltender Leonardo Genoni stopped 42 shots.

“It couldn’t feel better,” Fiala said. “To be honest, it’s special for us to be in the final and it doesn’t matter who we play. I’m very proud of the team. Our goalie, Leo, was unbelievable.”

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Earlier, Brandon Tanev scored with a backhand with 5:53 remining in the middle period to reduce Switzerland’s lead to 2-1. Captain John Tavares tied the game for Canada with 2:07 left in the final period on a power play when Connor Bedard fed him in the right circle to force overtime.

“That’s as close as it gets,” Tavares said. “It’s still hard to believe really. A lot of credit to the guys for sticking with it, battling back.”

Tavares said it was still not over for Canada: “We don’t wanna go home empty handed.”

Canada’s first shot on the Swiss goal only came after more than 11 minutes.

Fiala put the Swiss ahead with a slap shot from the point with 4:54 to go in the opening period on a power play for his seventh in Prague.

Niederreiter doubled the lead 2:10 later with another power play goal when defenseman Owen Power deflected his shot from the blue line into his own goal.

Switzerland outshot Canada 17-8 in the first.

Canada beat Switzerland 3-2 in the preliminary round last Sunday in Prague with all goals scored on power plays.

Switzerland also defeated Canada in the semifinals of the 2018 worlds, where the Swiss finished runner-up for their last medal.