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Swiss Hockey Aims to 'Poke Bear' vs. Canada
13 Feb
Summary
- Switzerland faces Canada in Olympic hockey on Friday.
- The Swiss seek to upset Canada after recent silver medals.
- Nico Hischier emphasizes belief and peak performance for the team.
Switzerland and Canada are scheduled to compete in a significant Group A matchup during the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 preliminary round on Friday. This game marks the second for both nations. The Swiss team enters the contest following a decisive 4-0 victory over France in a recent tune-up match.
Canada also secured a dominant win, defeating Czechia 5-0. Despite Canada's strong performance, Swiss forward Nino Niederreiter expressed the team's intention to "poke the bear," indicating their aggressive approach against their formidable opponent. Connor McDavid acknowledged Switzerland's strength, noting their consistent strong showings in recent World Championships.
Switzerland has achieved significant success on the international stage, earning silver medals at the past two IIHF World Championships, losing to Czechia in 2024 and the United States in 2025. Despite these close calls, the team is brimming with confidence.
Nico Hischier, a key player for Switzerland, highlighted the team's mindset. He emphasized the need for belief in their capabilities and the importance of competing at their absolute best. Hischier expressed trust in his teammates, underscoring that collective performance will be crucial for their success against Canada.
