DEB-Selection compensates for double deficit in regular time / Yasin Ehliz and Leon Draisaitl score twice / Frans Nielsen converts the decisive penalty / Sunday at 16.15:XNUMX p.m. against Norway
The German national ice hockey team suffered a defeat at the start of the 2018 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. Despite an appealing performance, national coach Marco Sturm's team lost to hosts Denmark on Friday evening in the sold-out Jyske Bank Boxen Arena 2:3 (0:0, 1:2, 1:0, 0:0, 0:1) after a penalty shootout . The next chance for more World Cup points will come against Norway on Sunday.
In front of a great crowd in Herning, both teams set an enormous pace right from the start and completed every check. "We have to try to develop counter-pressure immediately," said captain Dennis Seidenberg before the match.
The German selection, who acted courageously going forward, managed to do this increasingly better and better. The guests' first power play was promising, but without the necessary result. In keeping with performance, the first break was 0-0.
Even after the change, the match remained intense. The Danes' opening goal came from their first power play. Jesper Jensen saw the gap and scored 1-0 with a direct shot. Timo Pielmeier had no chance to defend in the box.
The joy did not last long. Yasin Ehliz and Matthias Plachta "worked" the puck out of the crowd to Leon Draisaitl and the NHL star coolly scored to make it 1:1. The German team was unlucky with the second goal. Marcel Noebels broke his stick while they were outnumbered and so he could only watch Storm's 2:1 instead of actively intervening with his ball.
The guests put everything on one card in the final half and struggled to equalize. With success: Yasin Ehliz made it 2-2 with a direct shot after an assist from Draisaitl. A few seconds later, Noebels almost turned the game around, but was narrowly denied by the Danish keeper.
The final phase caused great tension. First Pielmeier prevented it with a strong one Parade fell behind again, then Draisaitl failed on the other side after a solo effort.
The match did not produce a winner after 60 minutes or in the following five-minute overtime. Both teams therefore went to a penalty shootout, where Frans Nielsen's goal decided the match in favor of the hosts.
The national team continues again on Sunday after a day off. Then the duel against Norway is on the program. The game starts at 16.15:1 p.m. (live on SPORTXNUMX).
National coach Marco Sturm: "What we expected happened. The opening game is something special for everyone. The spectators and players were excited. The Danes came out well and played at a high pace. Nevertheless, I have to compliment my team. They improved from third to third and created chances. We must not forget that we have a new team. It was not an easy game for the many debutants. In the end, it was the little things that decided the outcome. There were also chances to win the game."
Korbinian Holzer, Anaheim Ducks: "In the first third, both teams neutralized each other and created chances. The penalties in the second third threw us off our rhythm. But in the final period, we had a lot of shots on goal and some compelling opportunities. It's a long tournament and we have to look forward now."
Gates: 0:1 Jesper Jensen (28:44), 1:1 Leon Draisaitl (32:12), 1:2 Frederik Storm (35:17), 2:2 Yasin Ehliz (50:43), 2:3 Frans Nielsen ( 65:00/Penalty)
Viewers: 11.000 (sold out)
Germany: Pielmeier (Treutle) – Holzer, D. Seidenberg; Ehliz, Draisaitl, Plachta – Y. Seidenberg, J. Müller; Wiederer, Hager, Kahun – Krupp, M. Müller; Krämmer, Pietta, Noebels – Ebner; Michaelis, Tiffels, Eisenschmid; Uvira.
You can find detailed statistics about the game HERE.