Fiala strikes twice as the Swiss top the Czechs

Kevin Fiala scored twice to lead Switzerland past the Czech Republic 5-2 on Saturday in round-robin play at the world junior hockey championship (Frank Gunn/CP)

TORONTO — Kevin Fiala scored twice to lead Switzerland past the Czech Republic 5-2 on Saturday in round-robin play at the world junior hockey championship.

Luca Fazzini, Noah Rod and Tim Wieser also scored for Switzerland (1-0). Gauthier Descloux made 27 saves for the win.

“I was really nervous before the game,” said Fiala, a prospect with the Nashville Predators, “Because we knew this was perhaps the most important game of the tournament for us. The first game always is, but I was focused and 100 per cent ready.”

It’s the first time the Swiss have beaten the Czechs in under-20 play since Jan. 3, 1998. That’s a total of seven losses.

Lukas Klok and Marek Ruzicka replied for the Czech Republic (0-2). Vitek Vanecek stopped 30 shots in net.

Switzerland will face Russia on Sunday, while the Czechs have a day off before playing Denmark on Monday.

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