Switzerland beat Germany

Germany's chances of playing in the Ice Hockey World Championship for the first time since 2011 are fading fast after they lost by the narrowest of margins to their southern neighbors on Tuesday.

The Swiss were the better team for the entire game but struggled to get the puck in the net in the first two periods. It was down to Denis Hollenstein to score the lone goal seven minutes before the final buzzer.

Germany's hopes of a late equalizers were scuppered were they picked up two penalties in the final three minutes, allowing the Swiss to see out the game comfortably.

Having lost two of three, Germany now need help from other teams and must win at least two of their remaining games. The Germans play Sweden on Thirsday, Latvia on Friday, the hosts the Czech Republic on Sunday and rivals Austria on Monday.