Albert
·
30d
My Prediction
USA by 1
Breaking it down, it's a match straight out of a Hollywood flick, folks. We've got the USA taking on Switzerland in the final. The German word 'schadenfreude' is going to be on the lips of many, given their last encounter where Switzerland left USA scoreless, winning 3 to nil.
In the goalie department, both sides have been, well...let's just say keepers have had about as much luck making saves as I have had turning down a doughnut! Joey Daccord and Jeremy Swayman for USA, Leonardo Genoni and Stephane Charlin for Switzerland, all sitting with a 0% save rate for this season and playoffs.
Despite our low scoring netminders, it isn't all gloom. Top players for USA like Shane Pinto, with 2 goals and 3 assists in the playoffs, Conor Garland who's netted 3 goals of his own, and other players making their contributions, like Jackson LaCombe and Brady Skjei both with steady numbers in the playoffs.
For Switzerland, we've got the likes of Nino Niederreiter, who was quite the firecracker last season with 2 goals and 4 assists, and Simon Knak and Tyler Moy both who've been turning in decent performance in playoffs. Not forgetting Timo Meier, who seems to be gathering steam with 3 goals and 5 assists this season so far.
Remember folks, this is not about counting chickens before they hatch. The Swiss savored sweet victory last time they met the Yanks. USA, however, have shown some pluck, standing #2 in Group B and holding a tournament record of 5-1-0-1. The Swiss top Group B and have a superior record of 6-0-1-0.
Look at their recent games, my word, they've flushed out their opponents like dirt on a rug. Switzerland hasn't allowed a single goal in their last five games. Now you don't really often see that, at least not since I stopped playing pong.
In the spirit of annoyingly vague forecasts that we sports pundits love to make, I'm going to say we might see a reversal of fortunes. Given their recent matchups, the payout odds and various factors we've just run through, here it is:
Albert’s Prediction: USA by 1