Hiller, Swiss shut out Czech Republic
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Sochi, Russia (SportsNetwork.com) - Jonas Hiller stopped all 26 shots he faced and Simon Bodenmann's first period goal stood up, as Switzerland skated past the Czech Republic 1-0 on Saturday at the Sochi Olympics.
Switzerland, which ended round robin play 2-1 and in second place in Group C, has scored just two goals in the tournament, but has allowed only one.
Hiller was up to the task again Saturday, turning aside eight shots in the first period, 10 in the second and eight in the third for his second shutout of these Olympics.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Hiller also blanked Latvia, but was not in net for a loss to Sweden.
The Czechs are 1-2 and finished third in the group, ahead of only 0-3 Latvia.
On the goal, Denis Hollenstein slid a pass from behind the net to Bodenmann, who went top shelf past Ondrej Pavelec for Switzerland's 1-0 advantage with 5:50 remaining in the first period.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Czechs had plenty of opportunities, but were stymied by Hiller at every pass.
Their best chance may have come in the final period when captain Tomas Plekanec rifled a point-blank shot from the circle, but Hiller just batted it away.
Plekanec, who led the Czechs with four shots on goal, had a similar chance earlier in the game to no avail.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Pavelec stopped 25 shots in the loss.