In the second tournament match of the U18 World Championship in Landshut, Germany lost 3:8 to the Canadian team. In front of over 2000 spectators, Julian Lutz scored twice and Roman Kechter also scored. After trailing 0:4 at one point, the German boys fought back to 3:4 before Canada pulled away again.
On the one hand, the German team was really looking forward to the showdown with the ice hockey motherland, but they had big plans. This was seen immediately nine seconds after the start of the game. Moritz Elias (Heilbronner Falken) checked a Canadian opponent very hard and was therefore sent straight back to the locker room. “That was also a bit of my fault, Moritz didn’t have his best game on Saturday, I spoke to him and said he needs to be more present, so he was perhaps a bit over-motivated…” said U18 national coach Alex Dück after the game .
The German team with ex-Landshuter Philipp Dietl (Straubing Tigers) in goal survived the following five minutes of being outnumbered unscathed and still fought their way into the match. Then, however, came the first of three double strikes that proved disastrous for the outcome of the game. Within 24 seconds, Siepmann and Goyette scored to make it 2-0. It was similar in the second third. The Germans initially survived being outnumbered, then had to play again with one player less and conceded two goals. Within 46 seconds, Bedard and Schuurman made it 0:4 from the hosts' perspective.
In the 32nd minute, Julian Lutz (EHC Red Bull München) started a comeback with his goal to make it 1:4, which thrilled more and more spectators as the game progressed. They thought so Fans first thought of a consolation goal, then the German team followed up. Two and a half minutes later. This time it was Captain Roman Kechter (Nürnberg Ice Tigers), who scored in the margin to make it 2:4. But that's not enough. The DEB-Selection continued to press towards the Canadian goal, took the momentum with them and the Canadians suddenly felt the pressure. Spencer Sova allowed himself to be carried away with a check on the head and neck area and the Canadians made a mistake in substitution a short time later. Only the third break saved them from conceding another goal. But the Germans didn't let this throw them off course and took advantage of the double power play after just 25 seconds with a wonderful combination via Rayan Bettahar (Swift Current Broncos) and Veit Oswald (EV Landshut) to Julian Lutz, who hammers the puck under the crossbar with a strong direct shot from the right face-off circle. 3:4, connection, the over 2000 spectators were thrilled! Should there actually be a chance of an equalizer?
Three minutes later, the question was answered. Canada's super talent Connor Bedard (Regina Pats/WHL) scored a brace. Within 73 seconds, he made it 3:6 and when Matt Wood (Vancouver Grizzlies) added the seventh Canadian goal just a minute later, the game was decided in favor of the clear favorite.
And yet it was a thrilling performance by the German team and a real treat for all ice hockey fans.
Detailed statistics: 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship
Voices about the game
DEB-Sports director Christian Künast: "Today was a courageous performance by the German team. In the end, they lacked the composure and quality over 60 minutes to beat an opponent like Canada. The atmosphere in Landshut impressed me."
National coach Alexander Dück: “I think what was on the scoreboard at the end today did not reflect what happened on the ice. In terms of feeling, the game was different. Of course there were a few too many individual mistakes and penalties on our part, but it was better than yesterday. The boys were more confident and implemented what we discussed better.”
Double goalscorer Julian Lutz: “We definitely had a few too many penalties today. Yesterday we only had a good third, today we had two, on Tuesday we will play three good thirds.”
All games of the 2022 U18 Ice Hockey World Championship in Landshut and Kaufbeuren will be broadcast live and directly on www.sprade.tv transfer!