On Friday, Feb. 6, Switzerland took on Czechia for their first game of the 2026 Winter Olympics ice hockey tournament. Czechia took an early lead with a goal just a minute and a half into the game. Switzerland answered back a few minutes later, but Czechia had the lead again by the end of the first period. There was no score change in the second period, so Czechia still led 2-1.
Related: Guide to the 2026 Winter Olympics Women’s Hockey Tournament
Early in the third period, Czechia scored again to gain a two-goal lead. A middle-period power-play goal for Switzerland cut the deficit down to one. A late third-period goal tied the game for the Swiss team, forcing it to go into overtime. After five minutes of 3-on-3, there was still no change in score, and the two teams headed to a shootout. Eight rounds later, it was Switzerland who were the victors, 4-3.
Czechia Evened It up Early
Kristyna Kaltounkova might have scored first for Czechia, but Switzerland tied the game early. Czechia tried to clear the puck from Switzerland’s zone, but Laura Zimmerman received the pass. On her turnover, she skated the puck straight up to the net and sent it past Michaela Hesova to even the score.
Zimmerman currently plays in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for St. Cloud State University. This is her fourth year in the NCAA circuit, and she will have the option to either play in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) or pursue a professional career overseas in Europe after completing her collegiate career.
This is Zimmerman’s second time representing Switzerland at the Olympics, as she competed in 2022 when the team placed fourth overall. She played in seven games but did not record any points. This goal marks her first on an Olympic stage, which is something to celebrate.
Muller Shines on the Power Play
By the third period, the Swiss team no longer held the lead and was down by two goals. Eight minutes into the final frame, Andrea Trnkova took a seat for boarding, and Switzerland had a power play opportunity. Switzerland kept the puck in their zone, and Lara Stadler passed the puck up to Ivana Wey, who was in the faceoff circle. She took a shot, but Hesova made the initial save. Alina Muller picked up the loose puck next to the net and sent it home to cut the deficit in half.
Muller currently plays in the PWHL for the Boston Fleet, and this is now the fourth time she is representing Switzerland at the Olympic Games. She helped Switzerland earn a bronze medal in 2014, but in her last two Olympics, Switzerland did not earn a medal. Muller is hoping to change that this year in Milan.
Wey With the Shootout Winner
Wey assisted on Muller’s goal in the third period, but she also scored the game-winning goal in overtime for Switzerland. Both teams scored in three of the five initial rounds, forcing extra shootout rounds. It was in the eighth round of the shootout that Wey scored to call the game.
Muller, Wey, and Laura Stadler all went twice for Switzerland in the shootout, but only Wey scored on both opportunities. This is her first time representing Switzerland at the Olympics.
Switzerland Back in Action on Saturday
Switzerland will play again tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 7, against Canada. Canada has yet to play a game in the Olympics, as their game against Finland yesterday was rescheduled due to illness plaguing the Finnish team. At least Switzerland has the last game of the day, at 3:10 PM ET. Switzerland will still need to pull out all the stops to defeat this well-rested, strong Canadian team.
