Ritchie and Bertschy expected back tonight - Olympics unlikely for Furrer

Byron Ritchie has recovered from his ankle injury and fully participated in yesterday's practice session. Rostislav Olesz will likely be the one making space in the lineup for Ritchie, as the Czech is laboring with upper leg problems but also because forward Mikko Lehtonen is deserving of another shot, as coach Leuenberger tells the newspaper.

Still out are Flurin Randegger and Philippe Furrer. The latter's hopes to be able to travel to Sochi seem to have diminished to almost zero, as Furrer spent the last days in the United States but will not return with very positive news.

"The recovery will take more time than I would like it to. Since the problems originate from the brain, I can only return to practice once all the symptoms have disappeared", Furrer says. A participation at the Olympic Games in Sochi seems to be highly unlikely at this point, even though the defenseman still figures on the official Team Switzerland roster.
 

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