Los Angeles Kings and Switzerland star forward Kevin Fiala underwent surgery yesterday (Feb. 14) after suffering a horrid lower left leg injury that caused him to be stretchered off the ice vs. Team Canada in a game on Friday (Feb. 13). He got caught up in a weird collision on the boards with Washington Capitals and Team Canada forward Tom Wilson that caused him the lower-body injury this past Friday.
Team Switzerland rallies around Los Angeles Kings forward Kevin Fiala for a thrilling and shocking OT win vs. Team Czechia this morning and late this weekend
Losing Fiala to an injury that ended his Olympic run after just a couple of games this past week in Italy was a huge gash to Switzerland's hopes of making a run toward a spot on the podium this upcoming week.
Dean Kukan and forward Timo Meier helped to deliver an unlikely and thrilling one-goal overtime win on the scoreboard today vs. Team Czechia. Team Switzerland got a message from Fiala before the game that showed how much he wanted the team to beat Czechia on the ice today, late this weekend.
Team Switzerland head coach Patrick Fischer said in the postgame interview today that the team is expecting Fiala to return to the Olympic Village on Feb. 16, and he will be released from the hospital.
Team Switzerland, despite missing one of the most talented and gifted playmaker forwards offensively who can score the puck in the zone in Fiala, rallied around him to get the inspiring 4-3 win on the ice in overtime today over Czechia in an exciting matchup late this weekend.
"A special game for him with some of his family being from [Czechia]. We really wanted to get this win for him."Timo Meier on Kevin Fiala
Fiala's Swiss teammate, JJ Moser, also reacted to the video Fiala sent to the team this morning from the hospital in Milan.
"He had a message that he wants to support the team & be as close to the team as possible & help in whatever form he can. The best thing we can do is take that as a motivation, as an injection of energy and rally around that."JJ Moser on Fiala
Defenseman Roman Josi said after the game in the press conference for Switzerland that he hopes "we put a smile on his face", referring to Fiala's inspiring message he sent to the team.