Before the duel with the Americans, the German team kept the puck flat
Excitement yes, euphoria no: When the German national ice hockey team competes against Team USA today (from 15 p.m., live on SPORT1), the national coach's team prefers to stay down to earth. "Nothing changes. We still only think from game to game. We've done well with that so far," emphasized striker Patrick Hager, who deliberately doesn't want to mention the word quarter-finals before the duel with the Americans.
Keeping the puck flat makes sense. The Cologne striker explains his defensive stance: "The two upcoming games against the USA and Hungary will be a big challenge and certainly not easier than against Finland or Canada. People just have to understand that there are never easy games at a World Cup." The striker may be right. The best example was yesterday's 5:2 victory by Hungary against Belarus - a huge surprise at the current World Cup.
As already known, national coach Marco Sturm has to do without two important strikers. Tobias Rieder had already left yesterday with a knee injury, Gerrit Fauser (shoulder) took the plane back to Germany at midday. That leaves twelve strikers left. “Now no one can get hurt anymore,” nodded captain Marcel Goc.
The German cracks can still go into the game against the Americans with a dose of healthy optimism. Recently the team has continued to improve. “Above all, we have to remain consistent over 60 minutes. That’s the most important thing,” said Philip Gogulla. The Haie striker already has seven scorer points to his name. More will be added today. “Ultimately it doesn’t matter who scores the points. We want to win and that’s all that counts,” said the attacker.