Canada versus Switzerland was supposed to be one of those doormat matches on the way to the elimination round, yes Canada actually lost to the Swiss team in Turino in 2006, but that didn't stop them from taking a lackadaisical approach to the game, at least in the first two periods.
Canada scored a quick goal on a Danny Heatly wrist shot, despite squandering an early power play opportunity.
They then played the rest of the period as if victory against the Swiss was all but assured and aside from Sidney Crosby and Jarome Iginla (both of whom played the entire game with the intensity of a Stanley Cup final) Team Canada made sloppy passes and allowed for defensive breakdowns that they seemed to just shrug off.
At the start of the second period Canada again scored in the opening seconds and it looked as if their uninspirational play would be enough against the Swiss side.
However the Swiss soon capitalized on Team Canada's lack of cohesion and brought the game to within one. They then battle Canada in their own zone for most of the period, peppering Martin Brodeur with shots, but Brodeur, fortunately for Team Canada was back in his old form and was able to stone the Swiss with a series of spectacular saves.
But with less than ten seconds left in the period the Swiss finally found the net and entered the third period tied 2-2. It was clearly a wake up call for Team Canada who came out and finally played with intensity for the next 20 minutes, cheered on by 18,000 rabid Canadians chanting themselves horse with cries of "go Canada go!"
Team Canada had a series of heartbreaking chances right up until the final seconds and the period ended in a tie, as did the five minute overtime, which had everyone on their feet while the Swiss goalie Hiller made his own series of spectacular saves to stone Team Canada.
So it was on to the shoot-out, usually the bane of North American players. Hiller and Brodeur each shut down the first three players from either team. And then it was Sidney Crosby's chance to improve his already growing legend and he didn't disappoint, putting a laser like wrist shot top shelf as Canada Hockey Place exploded in a patriotic frenzy. Brodeur did his part to finish up the drama and easily turned away the Swiss shooter, which again resulted in a frenzy of flag waving, but despite the cheering every Canadian present and every Canadian watching at home or in a bar were secretly breathing a sigh of relief that Canada didn't lose to Switzerland on home ice.
