The German national ice hockey team lost 2-6 to the Czech Republic late in the afternoon. The goals for the German team were scored by defender Fabio Wagner (Ingolstadt) and striker Daniel Schmölz (Nuremberg) in the final third.
There was a lot going on in the Rocknet Arena in Chomutov on Maundy Thursday afternoon. Many seats were occupied, a total of 3852 spectators were present and the atmosphere was almost festive right from the start of the game. This was ensured not only by the two Czech lion mascots Tuk and Puk, but also by a really atmospheric and tireless crowd Fangroup in a curve.
In the first ten minutes of the game they were Fans very much on his own. There were no greater chances to score for either team. Very slowly both teams appeared in front of the opposing goalkeeper. The hosts, however, are much more determined and effective and, to be honest, much more often. So it was almost a double blow in minutes 10 and 12 that gave the Czechs the lead. First, Jiri Cernoch fed Jakub Krejčík from the corner centrally in front of the goal but a little further back, who still shot in clearly. Then it was Adam Klapka who, with a lot of momentum and space, moved into the third on the right side and shot under the crossbar at the top right. Of course, these two goals also contributed to the good mood among everyone Fans the hosts, like the next double strike at the beginning of the second third. When Tim Fleischer was in the penalty box for the German team, Cernoch emerged as a goalscorer this time with a direct shot in the left face-off circle for the first power play goal of the game. 2 seconds later, Petr Holik coldly completed a counterattack. Of course that was a small preliminary decision.
But the German team didn't give up, on the contrary. We finally managed to establish ourselves in the opponent's zone and create one or two chances over the course of the third. An example of this is a blocked shot by Taro Jentzsch, who then went off on his own, but was denied by Czech keeper Stepan Lukes, who was originally from Chomutov and was currently playing for Karlovy Vary and was enjoying home advantage.
During the third break before the last section, Chumbawamba's ice hockey arena classic “I get knocked down, but I get up again” was played and the Germans listened. Two really nice goals from Fabio Wagner (47th minute) after good forechecking from Alex Blank and Justin Volek and Daniel Schmölz (49th minute), who used his stick to push a puck that had bounced back from the boards behind the goal through his own legs and into the goal. put the German team on the scoreboard. But the Czechs also scored in the final section through Patrik Zdrahal (45th) and Jakub Flek (54th).
It doesn't need to be mentioned that there was certainly an analysis after the game, but of course the focus was directly on tomorrow's match. There will be revenge on Good Friday at 15 p.m., live on MagentaSport.
Detailed statistics: https://hokejovyzapis.cz/pdf/print/html/374611
Match report sheets: https://hokejovyzapis.cz/pdf/print/en/105371
Comments on the 2:6 defeat against the Czech Republic
National coach Toni Söderholm: “We lost a few challenges in the early stages, which cost us goals. That was a good lesson in efficiency at international level. Then we picked up the pace and played quite well in the second and third periods. We also made some good moves in various tactical forms.”
Taro Jentzsch about the game and his scoring chances: “2:6 was perhaps a bit too high, but they were our own mistakes and we have to work on them. Personally, I think I was a bit unlucky today. If I had done one thing or another, we could have done it again.”
Fabio Wagner about the game today and tomorrow: “We certainly imagined the start of the preparation would be better now. We will now analyze the game and then do the things better tomorrow that we didn't do so well today.