After the 1:4 against Latvia, returning to the top division is no longer possible
The U20 national team missed out on direct promotion back to the top division in their age group. In the penultimate game of the 2016 IIHF U20 Ice Hockey World Championship Division I in Vienna, BundesYoung talent coach Christian Künast's team lost 1:4 (0:2, 1:1, 0:1) against Latvia on Thursday and had to bury all hopes of promotion.
Before the very important game against the Latvians, Künast had completely changed the attack lines and hoped for more penetration from his offensive department. The attack line around Tobias Eder, Jakob Mayenschein and Julian Napravnik in particular created good opportunities from the start. Nevertheless, it was the Latvians who were 2-0 ahead at the first break after a remarkable solo and a goal in the majority.
In the second period, the Germans came close again with a goal from Tobias Eder midway through the game. However, the Latvians were able to restore the old two-goal gap shortly before the end of the third.
In the final round, the German selection put everything on the line, but could not find a way past the opponent's strong defense. With a shot into the empty German goal shortly before the end of the game, Latvia sealed the second German U20 defeat during the current World Cup tournament.
In the final match against Norway next Saturday (16.30 p.m.) it's all about the best possible placement.
Christian Künast, Federal Young talent coach: “I can’t blame the team, the boys wanted to and fought. Ultimately, this is the reality here. We currently lack the breadth in Germany to play at the top international level.”
Maximilian Gläßl (Moncton Wildcats): “Latvia understood better today how to take advantage of their chances. We gave them too much space and time and ultimately couldn't find a way to score goals. That was the sticking point.”
Germany: Franzreb (Fießinger) – Rogl, Wissmann; Kammerer, Loibl, A.Eder – Quaas, Haase; Mayenschein, Eder, Napravnik – Schütz, Trinkberger; Körner, Wiederer, Edfelder – Veisert, Gläßl; Koziol, Drews, Matthäs
Goals: 0:1 (03:15) R.Abols (H.Egle) ; 0:2 (19:24 / PP1) R.Ablos (M.Dzierkals, H.Egle) ; 1:2 (29:20) T.Eder (J.Napravnik, S.Schütz) ; 1:3 (38:46) A.Buss (V.Minajes) ; 1:4 (58:57 / EN) M.Lazarevs (U.Balinskis)
Penalty minutes: Germany 6 – Latvia 2