BRATISLAVA, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Team Slovakia started the new ice hockey season with a 2-5 defeat against Switzerland at the Deutschland Cup on Thursday.

This traditional international tournament is hosted every year in November by the German Ice Hockey Federation. This year, Russia's B-team and the home team of Germany are taking part, as well.

After witnessing three shots of the Slovak players bounce off the post and into safety, the Swiss took over the match in the second period, scoring three goals within seven minutes. The Slovaks were about to rally in the final period, putting two goals into Melvin Nyffeler's net within only seconds apart but Switzerland put an end to their tying efforts half a minute later and sealed its victory with an empty-netter.

In the other tournament match of the day, team Germany defeated Russia B 4-3 with Felix Schutz scoring the game-winner in the last period. Enditem