Swiss ice hockey team one win away from quarter finals

Switzerland's ice hockey stars take on Sweden at the World Championships today, knowing that just one win from their next three games will be enough for a place in the quarter finals.

Switzerland’s relatively comfortable position in the qualifying round was further bolstered on Friday evening when Russia lost their third match in a row, beaten 3-2 by unfancied Latvia. The hosts are still without a point in the secondary stage of the competition and need to win both their remaining games to have any chance of progressing.

Switzerland, meanwhile, have taken all three of their points from the preliminary round into the current stage and can make sure of a place in the last eight tonight. Even if they don’t beat the strong Swedish side, Ralph Krueger’s men can have a second and even third bite at the cherry when they meet Latvia on Monday and Belarus on Tuesday.

Looking further ahead, the Swiss squad could find itself strengthened (if the side reach the quarter finals) by the arrival of American Hockey League forward Michel Riesen. Riesen’s team, the Hamilton Bulldogs, have been knocked out of the AHL playoffs, leaving the Biel-born player available for selection once the qualifying round is finished.