They had thrilling duels in front of over 800 spectators Para National ice hockey teams from Germany and Norway delivered in Wiehl, North Rhine-Westphalia - and the German team was happy about a positive development, a victory at the end and advertising for the sport Para Ice hockey. For both teams it was an important showdown on the way to the World Championships in Canada at the end of May.
For the first time, the Germans have international matches Para National ice hockey team took place in North Rhine-Westphalia. In Wiehl, Oberberg, there was a three-pack against Norway with a 0:3 defeat, a 2:2 after overtime and a 6:4 win at the end. “We promoted our sport on all three days and the spectators saw what was happening Para makes ice hockey so attractive. This was a huge success for the Wiehl location, for the club and for Para Ice hockey overall, a great and professional setting,” sums up national player Ingo Kuhli-Lauenstein, one of three local heroes from TuS Wiehl alongside Lucas Sklorz and Jano Bussmann.
In the 6:4 spectacle, Kuhli-Lauenstein also entered the list of six German goalscorers. “Unfortunately, my family and friends were no longer in the hall for the third game,” says the 30-year-old with a wink. Hugo Rädler, Felix Schrader, Bernhard Hering, Frank Rennhack and Jörg Wedde also scored for the celebrated victory. “It's just good for the feeling when you end a three-game series like that. We showed a strong performance and a lot of fighting spirit and came back despite being 1-3 down,” reports Kuhli-Lauenstein.
Head coach Andreas Pokorny also agreed very much. “It was a really successful weekend all around. We recently lost to Norway three times, now we have a draw and a win. That was a big improvement. The mood in the team is correspondingly good and we are on the right track,” explains the former national ice hockey player, who is with the Kölner Haien celebrated three German championships. With a view to preparing for the World Cup, we will continue with two international matches against Italy in Füssen in mid-April (April 15 and 16, 2023), followed by another hat-trick in Norway.
Norway and Italy are also two of Germany's three group opponents at the World Cup in Canada, which starts on May 28, 2023.
Source: German Disabled Sports Association eV