Noebels, Gogulla, Macek and Danner scored for the German selection in the 4-3 win in Riga against Latvia
The German national ice hockey team celebrated its first victory on foreign ice as part of the Euro Hockey Challenge. The team of national coach Marco Sturm beat Latvia 4.744:4 (3:2, 0:2, 1:0) in front of 2 spectators in Riga on Friday evening and showed a convincing performance, particularly in attack, in the season debut of NHL star Leon Draisaitl. Draisaitl made a splendid start with an assist.
The German selection, with defender Sinan Akdag playing his 50th international match, delivered a strong first third, particularly in attack. Leo Pföderl, Philip Gogulla and Marcel Noebels had the best chances in the first 20 minutes, as did Felix Schütz, who narrowly missed out on a solo attempt. It was also Noebels who shot the guests into the lead. He sank an exemplary pass from Draisaitl into the slot Berlinhe cool.
Just 31 seconds later, Germany scored a double strike through Gogulla, who simply shot in the home team's zone and left Edgars Masalkis, the former Duisburg player in the Latvian box, no chance. On the other side, Timo Pielmeier made two strong saves against Kaspars Saulietis.
In the middle section, the national team seamlessly continued the first third. Gunars Skvorcovs' goal didn't faze the guests either. On the contrary: The third German goal was quick: Gogulla with a quick pass to Felix Schütz, who left the target for Brooks Macek - the Iserlohn native finished with a slap shot flat into the corner.
Apparently Marco Sturm's team took a liking to double strikes. Just 76 seconds later, the German team celebrated again. When the home side made a defensive mistake, Nico Krämmer was the quickest to switch and pass to Simon Danner, who was able to beat Masalskis for the fourth time.
In the final half, Pielmeier was challenged several times right from the start, but kept his box clean. Pföderl and Draisaitl had the fifth goal on their hands, but narrowly missed out. Latvia fought their way to within one goal at the end of the game, but their first success on foreign ice was no longer in danger.
Tomorrow we'll face Latvia again at 16 p.m. (live on SPORT1). Sturm will then call up another squad as agreed and use the players who were not nominated this time.
National coach Marco Sturm: “I think we played a good game overall. We were 4-1 ahead after the second period, but unfortunately we let the Latvians get close again, so the result was close. The second comparison is likely to be similarly close. We’re going to change a few positions.”
Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers): “We played well for the most part, but unfortunately it got a little tight at the end. Overall, it was a deserved victory that I'm happy about. Of course, we can also do a few things better. For me personally, the start was okay. Of course I still need a little bit, but that will come with more practice.”
Torsten Ankert (Kölner Haie): “We had a hard time in the first few minutes of the game, but then we took over the game and deservedly took the lead. The start to the second third was good. We then had a short period of weakness after conceding a goal, but then we came back with two goals. Then we were able to play the match confidently. With the exception of the last two goals, of course.”
Germany: Pielmeier (Niederberger) – M. Müller, Ankert; Gogulla, Schütz, Macek – Braun, Akdag; Noebels, Draisaitl, Pföderl – N. Goc, Reul; Ullmann, Hager, Flaake – Brückner, Kohl; Krämmer, Danner, Kink.
Gates: 0:1 Marcel Noebels (1:53), 0:2 Philip Gogulla (18:24), 1:2 Gunars Skvorcovs (29:37/PP1), 1:3 Brooks Macek (34:08), 1:4 Simon Danner (35:23), 2:4 Rodrigo Abols (54:50), 3:4 Andris Zerins (59:52/EA)
Penalty minutes: Latvia 6 – Germany 6
spectator: 4.744