International Ice Hockey Federation

Swiss survive

Swiss survive

Ruedi strikes to send Germany down

Published 15.08.2018 10:47 GMT+5 | Author Andy Potts
Swiss survive
DMITROV, RUSSIA - JANUARY 12: Switzerland's Lisa Ruedi #11 celebrates at the bench after a first period goal against Germany during relegation round action at the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women's World Championship. (Photo by Steve Kingsman/HHOF-IIHF Images)
Lisa Ruedi made it five goals in two games as Switzerland wrapped up the relegation round in two games, staying up at Germany's expense following a 3-0 win.

Lisa Ruedi was the scourge of Germany once again, adding two more goals to Wednesday’s hat-trick as the Swiss won 3-0 to preserve their Elite Pool status.

The Germans had it all to do in Dmitrov, having suffered a 3-7 reverse in game one of the relegation round, but Tommy Kettner’s team could at least point to a strong third period in that game. However, it also had to contend with Ruedi – and the forward once again showed her value to Switzerland.

She opened the scoring midway through the first period, forcing the puck home from close range after Lara Christen’s rush to the net created the opportunity. Then, in the middle frame, she turned provider for Rahel Enzler. With Switzerland on the power play, Ruedi orchestrated her team’s efforts, eventually leaving a drop-pass for Enzler to shoot home the second of the game.

Goal number three also went to Ruedi when she found herself on the spot to touch home a Christen shot from the point and put the game beyond Germany. In two relegation round games, the Lions star notched five goals and two assists, taking her tournament tally to 11 (6+5) points, an improvement on last year’s 5+1 in the Czech Republic. And all that on a team that lost out in its three Group B games.

For Germany, the trip to Dmitrov ended with a swift and dramatic reversal of fortunes. Victory over Switzerland in the final group game put the team in with a chance of making the quarter-final a year after winning promotion to the top level. But the Czechs sneaked ahead with a victory over Finland, and the Swiss produced two strong displays in the relegation round to send Germany back to Division One for next season.

 

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