First success in the second game for the German men's national ice hockey team at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing: National coach Toni Söderholm's team met hosts China in the National Indoor Stadium. The could DEB-Selection achieved its first tournament win and ultimately won 3:2 (2:0; 1:1, 0:1). The goal scorers were Marcel Brandt, Korbinian Holzer and Dominik Kahun.
After Nowak's injury: Bittner and Krämmer move in DEB-Possessed
For the game against the Olympic hosts, national coach Toni Söderholm made two changes: Dominik Bittner was brought into the squad to replace the ailing defender Marco Nowak, while Nico Krämmer made his first appearance on offense - the first Olympic game of their careers for both of them. Mathias Niederberger started again in goal, this time Danny aus den Birken was backup.
Shortly after it began, it had to DEB-Select to survive an outnumbered situation. But the longer the game lasted, the better Germany got into the game. What was supposed to be the first goal of the evening by Pietta (9th) was revoked due to a coach's challenge, after which goalkeeper interference was detected. A strong action by Marcel Brandt (14th), who decisively asserted himself against China's defense, gave the team a liberating lead. A little later, Korbinian Holzer (17th) pulled away from the blue line, and the puck hit the top of the net without being visible to China's goalkeeper.
In the second half, the German team continued to dominate the game, but the Chinese team also repeatedly presented pleasant attacks. Dominik Kahun (25th) was able to skillfully deflect a shot from Moritz Müller and thus extend the lead. On the other hand, goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger delivered a strong performance; He also had a bit of luck when his opponent hit the post. The DEBThe selection continued to get well in front of China's goal at the end of the third. Another goal came shortly before half-time on the other side from Fu Shuai (40'). The interim score from a German perspective: 3:1.
Things got close again in the final section as the German team, despite increasing their share of the game, was unable to gain a decisive foothold in front of the opponent's goal. China, on the other hand, used a power play eleven minutes before the end and got within a goal through Taile Wang. In the end, the German national ice hockey team achieved their first success of the tournament thanks to a good defensive performance in the final minutes.
National coach Toni Söderholm: "Apart from a few changes at the beginning, we got into the game quite well. After the third goal, we abandoned our game plan. That gave the opponent some space and energy and completely took away our rhythm. So we got into a kind of fighting mode to bring the game home. In the end, the win still gives us a little confidence. Nevertheless, we are now looking directly at the game tomorrow and the boys know that we have to improve as the tournament progresses."
Defender and captain Moritz Müller: "We had a good start and then at some point we became too relaxed. We were certainly relieved to have the upper hand today after the tough game against Canada. But we forgot that work comes first. So we gave China a chance to get back into the game. That was negligent."
Statistics for the game:
https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2022/olympic-m/gamecenter/playbyplay/28604/12-ger-vs-chn
At the end of the preliminary round against Team USA
At the end of the preliminary round, the national ice hockey team will meet the USA team tomorrow, Sunday, who are at the top of preliminary group A after two successes. The game starts at Wukesong Sports Center at 21:10 p.m. Beijing time (14:10 p.m. German time).
10.02.2022 |Canada – Germany | 5:1 (3:0; 1:1, 1:0)
12.02.2022 |Germany – China | 3:2 (2:0; 1:1, 0:1).
13.02.2022/21/10 | 14:10 (German XNUMX:XNUMX) | USA – Germany (Wukesong Sports Center)