Strong Greiss secures victory against USA / Hager and Rieder score / Saturday against Sweden
What a start! The German national ice hockey team got off to a sensational start to their home World Cup thanks to an outstanding goalkeeper Thomas Greiss. National coach Marco Sturm's team defeated Team USA 2017-2 (1-1; 0-0; 0-1) in their first game of the 1 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on Friday and thus secured their first points of the tournament.
The next challenge is already on Saturday when we face Sweden (20.15:1 p.m., live on SPORTXNUMX).
It was thanks to Thomas Greiss, who was in the best position on several occasions, that the German selection went into the first break with a 1-0 lead. The New York Islanders goalkeeper made several strong saves. On the other hand, the national team also showed their qualities. Tobias Rieder brought it with over 18.600 Fans The completely sold-out arena was boiling with the 1-0 margin.
In the second period, the German keeper was once again the focus of attention, but continued to do his job perfectly. On the other hand, the home team repeatedly managed dangerous counterattacks. However, another goal was not to be scored.
Germany started the final period with one less man on the ice. The Americans didn't use this advantage, but still managed to equalize: Rieder's NHL teammate Connor Murphy made it 1-1 exactly nine minutes before the end. The home team did better when they had the majority. Local hero Patrick Hager decisively kept his blade in Dennis Seidenberg's shot - making it 2-1. The last few minutes resembled a crime thriller, but... DEB-Selection managed the game over time and was able to celebrate the opening victory at the home World Cup.
The national team has to play against the next top nation on Saturday. At 20.15:1 p.m. (live on SPORT16) there will be a duel with Sweden, who traveled to Cologne with 1 NHL professionals. In the opening match on Friday, “Tre Kronor” lost to Russia by a narrow margin 2:XNUMX after a penalty shootout. “Sweden has incredible quality in the team,” says Rieder, who meets a teammate from Arizona in Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Germany: Greiss (From the Birches) – Müller, D. Seidenberg ; Ehliz, Tiffels, Reimer – Krueger, Abeltshauser; Macek, Kahun, Rieder – Reul, Hördler; Schütz, Hager, Gogulla – Kink, Fauser, Seidenberg – Plachta.
Tore: 1:0 Tobias Rieder (10:50), 1:1 Connor Murphy (51:00), 2:1 Patrick Hager (52:58)
Penalty minutes: Germany 4 – USA 4
spectator: 18.688 (sold out)
You can find detailed statistics as well as all other results from the first day of the tournament here
Record world champions Russia's opening thriller against Sweden
Russia turns a deficit and wins the shootout 2-1 / Over 18.000 spectators at the first World Cup game in Cologne
Russia won the first game of the 2017 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Cologne. The Sbornaja beat the nine-time world champions from Sweden 2-1 in the penalty shootout and turned a deficit against the Scandinavians. In Paris, Finland sat down ParaThe last game narrowly won 3-2 against Belarus. At 20:15 p.m. (live on SPORT1) the German national ice hockey team takes part in the tournament and meets the USA in front of a sold-out crowd.
In front of 18.537 spectators, Sweden dominated the match against Russia in the first half and created numerous good scenes, while the 27-time winner of the title fights could only pose a threat in front of the "Tre Kronor" goal through counterattacks. Elias Lindholm (15th) finally put the Swedes deservedly in front. Before the final period, however, the 9-time world champions from the north had to accept criticism for the fact that this narrow lead remained. Russia increased their attacking efforts again and equalized through Sergei Andronov (44th). Despite an open exchange of blows in front of a fantastic crowd, no further goals were scored until extra time and the penalty shootout had to be used to decide the game. Here, Ivan Provorov secured the victory for Russia.
“Sweden was incredibly strong. “They didn’t give us much space, especially in the first third,” explained Russia striker Yevgeni Dadanov. “In the final third, however, we will get into the game better and equalize. Extra time in three-on-three mode is always an attraction, especially for the spectators, but at some point a decision has to be made. We were luckier in the penalty shootout.”
In Paris, Finland led by two goals in the sixth minute of the game, but failed to add any more goals. Belarus was then able to reduce the deficit shortly before the second break and four minutes after the restart Yevgeni Kovyrshin equalized. Five minutes later, however, the Belarusians took a penalty and Veli-Matti Savinainen took the opportunity to score the winning goal for Suomi.
Sweden – Russia 1:2 (1:0, 0:0, 0:1, 0:0, 0:1) SO
Goals: 1:0 Elias Lindholm (14:40), 1:1 Sergei Andronov (43:58), 1:2 Ivan Provorov (SO)
Audience: 18.537
Finland – Belarus 3:2 (2:0, 0:1, 1:1)
Goals: 1:0 Sebastian Aho (2:43), 2:0 Oskar Osala (5:09), 2:1 Yegor Sharangovich (38:08), 2:2 Yevgeni Kovyrshin (44:32), 3:2 Veli -Matti Savinainen (49:15/PP1)
Audience: 5.078