National coach Marco Sturm ordered his team to take a day off from ice hockey / Monday a cracker against record world champions Russia
In the end it became clear. The 2:7 on Saturday in the second game at the 2017 IIHF Home World Championship was a little too high. Although the victory was certainly okay for the Swedes, who competed with 16 NHL stars. “You have incredible quality in the squad, you could see that,” said Tobias Rieder after the game.
Wipe your mouth, carry on. This is the motto of the national team. National coach Marco Sturm was a little disappointed after the high result, but he immediately looked forward again. “We actually played quite well for two thirds, but then the Swedes punished our mistakes coldly. We shouldn’t think about that for too long, but rather concentrate entirely on Russia on Monday.”
And that should once again be a mammoth task for the German team. The top World Cup favorite and record world champion was even able to defeat the strong Swedes 2-1 on Friday. Means: The grapes hang even higher for the German selection. “We knew in advance what to expect in the first three games,” said Patrick Reimer. Felix Schütz also emphasized: “Of course we are not the favorites against Russia, but we will look for our chance.”
On Sunday, Sturm gave his protégés a day off and only gathered the team back in the team hotel in the early evening for a video meeting. The players took advantage of the opportunity to clear their heads and do something with their friends and wives. A completely understandable decision. After all, most of the squad has been together for weeks and rushes from training to game. “A day off without ice hockey is good,” said Dennis Seidenberg.
Especially when the schedule is as tight as at a World Cup. After the Russia cracker, things continue every two days. First on Wednesday against Slovakia, then against Denmark. The match against Italy follows a day later, before there are two days off before the final preliminary round match against Latvia.
If you want to see Marco Sturm's boys live in the LANXESS arena again, the best opportunities would be next Wednesday in the game against Slovakia or on the last matchday against Latvia.