2014-15 National Men's Team

LATE GOAL SENDS CANADA TO SECOND LOSS AT DEUTSCHLAND CUP

JASON LA ROSE

MUNICH, Germany – A Zach Hamill (Vancouver, B.C./HPK Hämeenlinna, FIN) goal late in the second period was all the offence Canada’s National Men’s Team could muster as it dropped a 2-1 decision to Switzerland on Saturday at the 2014 Deutschland Cup.

After Canada’s tournament-opening loss to Slovakia on Friday, and with Germany’s win over the Slovaks earlier Saturday, the Canadians needed a regulation time victory over the Swiss to keep their hopes alive.

But with the game tied 1-1 in the final minute, Team Canada coach Jeff Tomlinson called goaltender Chris Mason (Red Deer, Alta./Augsberg, GER) to the bench, and Dino Wieser found the unprotected cage to give the Swiss the victory and take Canada out of championship contention.

Despite outshooting Switzerland 17-7 in the opening period, Canada headed to the dressing room down a goal after 20 minutes thanks to Samuel Walser, who beat Mason just past the 11-minute mark.

The Canadians had their chances, aided by four Swiss penalties in the first 26 minutes, but it took until the 14:32 mark of the second period, when Jared Aulin (Calgary, Alta./Örebro HK, SWE) and Liam Reddox (Whitby, Ont./Växjö, SWE) set up Hamill, for Canada to draw even.

But that would be the lone puck to beat Sandro Zurkirchen, who was spectacular in a 36-save performance.

The best Canada can hope for now is to play spoiler when it takes on host Germany in its tournament finale on Sunday (10:45 a.m. ET/7:45 a.m. PT).