Nothing to lose against Canadian NHL star ensemble / Thomas Greiss joins the team in the afternoon
High hurdle: In the fourth appearance of the German national team during the 2016 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in St. Petersburg/Russia, the team of national coach Marco Sturm will face no less an opponent than "Team Canada" today (from 19 p.m., live on SPORT1). "Of course the Canadians are the clear favorites," said captain Marcel Goc, who added before the duel against the Maple Leafs: "Maybe we can annoy them a little."
Three games, three wins and a goal difference of 20:2. The team from the motherland of ice hockey has lived up to all expectations so far. No team conceded fewer goals at the World Cup. The star ensemble from North America clearly underlined their title ambitions in their last performances. Only one player, defenseman Michael Matheson of the Portland Pirates, does not play in the NHL. “They have a good mix of young and experienced players,” says Leon Draisaitl.
The striker will meet three clubmates from the Edmonton Oilers today. Goalkeeper Cam Talbot and strikers Taylor Hall and Connor McDavid play together with the German striker at the traditional Canadian club. “We only met briefly in the cabin corridor, but otherwise we haven’t had any contact,” revealed the 20-year-old. Tobias Rieder also meets a friend from the Arizona Coyotes, Max Domi. Cory Perry plays with Korbinian Holzer for the Anaheim Ducks.
“It will be a very big challenge,” said Christian Ehrhoff. The Chicago Blackhawks defender, like the rest of the team, is aware that the German selection is a blatant outsider. “We took a big step against the Slovaks. For us it's now about continuing to improve in our play." It's obvious that the national team has absolutely nothing to lose today against perhaps the best team at this World Cup.
The goalkeeper question was often discussed after Thomas Greiss was confirmed. The New York Islanders keeper will only join the team in the afternoon. It remains to be seen whether there will be enough for an operation in the evening.