With their strong opening World Cup win against Slovakia, Germany’s ice hockey team fueled hopes of a similar coup to last year. Now it’s against the title favorites USA and Sweden.
Vice world champion Germany got off to a perfect start at the Ice Hockey World Championships in the Czech Republic. The team of national coach Harold Kreis defeated Olympic third-placed Slovakia 6:4 (0:0, 3:2, 3:2).
In a high-class game in Ostrava, Dominik Kahun (30th minute), Jonas Müller (33rd), Lukas Kälble (40th), Marc Michaelis (45th), Leo Pföderl (57th) and Tobias Eder (59th) scored German goals. By winning against their direct competitor, the selection of the German Ice Hockey Association has taken a first important step towards the quarter-finals before the next preliminary round games against the World Cup favorites USA on Saturday evening and Sweden on Monday (both 8.20 p.m./ProSieben and MagentaSport). -Qualification done.
Both teams played a strong game on equal terms in the Ostravar Arena in the east of the Czech Republic, which was filled with many Slovakian fans. “I see the game fifty-fifty. Nothing will be decided today, but you can take a big step forward,” said NHL striker Nico Sturm from the San Jose Sharks before the game at MagentaSport.
DEB team comes into the game strong
And Germany took this big step because they were strong in the game from the start, were convincing defensively for long stretches and had good support in NHL keeper Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken). “We need a good scene right from the start, a shot on goal,” Sturm demanded. In fact, it only took a few seconds until the first big chance. NHL attacker JJ Peterka (Buffalo Sabres), voted best World Cup striker in 2023, tested Slovakian goalkeeper Stanislav Skorvanek, Frederik Tiffels got the rebound, but the puck remained just in front of the line.
The German offensive continued to swirl: Munich’s Yasin Ehliz was denied by Skorvanek (4th minute), Kälble hit the post after a pass from Peterka (6th). The defense, which was so vulnerable in preparation, appeared more solid. Grubauer rarely had to intervene in the first 20 minutes. “It was a good start,” said Ehliz during the first third break.
Germany is successful in the majority
The DEB selection also got off to a furious start in the second third, but were initially unlucky: a shot from Leo Pföderl landed on the side netting. The evaluation of opportunities was not optimal during the preparation. Against the Slovaks, the German team needed a double majority to take a well-deserved lead. Kahun scored the first goal after an assist from Ehliz. The SC Bern striker was successful at a World Cup for the seventh time.
Germany remained in the majority and increased the pressure on the team of veteran coach Craig Ramsey (73). With one more player on the ice, Müller from champions Eisbären Berlin increased. The 28-year-old rewarded himself for a previously convincing performance.
The German selection now also resisted setbacks, as the strong Slovaks responded with furious attacks on the deficit. Thanks to their six NHL stars, Slovakia quickly equalized. But now the district team responded immediately: Defender Kälble from runner-up Bremerhaven made it 3-2 29 seconds before the end of the second third.
And it got even better. In the final section, the DEB selection defied the Slovakian offensive, which was now becoming even stronger. The future Mannheimer Michaelis shot back the two-goal lead and the currently best German striker Pföderl countered the renewed Slovakian connection by veteran Libor Hudacek to make the decision. Eisbären striker Eder finally made everything clear in his first World Cup game in the empty Slovakian goal.
On Saturday against the USA, Lukas Reichel could also take part in this World Cup for the first time. The 21-year-old attacker from the Chicago Blackhawks arrived in Ostrava in the evening.
Source: Stern
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