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Switzerland Forward Injured In Unfortunate Hit vs Team Canada at Olympics

In a dismal 5-1 loss to the Canadians on Friday afternoon, Swiss forward Kevin Fiala sustained an injury late in the third period. Tom Wilson appeared to fall on Fiala’s leg after a hit, resulting in a nasty injury that required a stretcher. Swiss players Denis Malgin and Andrea Glauser also did not finish Friday’s game due to injury. It has been a rough Olympics for both Canada and Switzerland, with Josh Morrissey already being out for this game. That saw defenceman Travis Sanheim draw in Friday’s game for Canada.

Kevin Fiala Injured in Collision with Tom Wilson

Milana Santaguila Arena was filled to the brim with concerned fans as Fiala was down in pain on the ice with 2:50 remaining. Staff called a stretcher to the arena immediately, as it was a severe injury. It did not appear to be an intentional hit with malice, but an unfortunate landing for Fiala and Wilson. Moreover, with the quick nature of the Olympic Games, Fiala is likely done for the Olympics. 

This is a great loss for the Swiss, as Fiala played on the first-line left wing position. It will be nigh impossible for them to replace him. Furthermore, teams cannot bring in outside help after the tournament has begun.

Switzerland head coach Patrick Fischer did say postgame that Fiala had been taken to hospital.

Switzerland May Be Shorthanded for Remainder of Olympics

As Switzerland has sustained three injuries, if Fiala (forward), Malgin (forward), and Glauser (defenceman) cannot play, they only have one extra forward who did not play on Friday, in Simon Knak. That would put the Swiss at 12 forwards and 7 defencemen for the rest of the tournament. That would leave little room for any further injuries.

Group A will resume play on Sunday, the final day of the preliminary round at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey tournament.

Main Photo Credit: Mike Segar-Imagn Images

About Marcus Yu

Marcus Yu is a writer specializing on the Vancouver Canucks at Last Word On Hockey. He is a current anime and hockey writer, always looking to improve his skills in writing. He has been a hockey fan for over 10 years, and looks to bring his expertise to the hockey sphere. Communications major/Linguistics minor at the University of Toronto.