The German U18 national team lost 0:8 to Team Canada at the start of the World Championship in Switzerland. The North Americans were able to secure a comfortable victory against the team of U18 national coach Alexander Dück on Friday afternoon in Ajoie after their own opening defeat against Sweden. The German team, which started with Leon Willerscheid in goal, was able to keep up in places, but made the game difficult for themselves with the many penalty minutes.
Had to right from the start DEB-Defender Lua Niehus was sent to the penalty box for tripping. During the power play, Canada had its first chances, which Leon Willerscheid was able to parry. After five minutes, the DEBThe team had the first chance with a break before Edwin Topmann also had to go to the penalty box for tripping. Paul Mayer followed shortly afterwards. The biggest chance for Canada was then a shot that hit the post.
In the eleventh minute, Team Germany had its first power play, but it didn't pose any significant threat to the Canadian goal. Four minutes later, Lua Niehaus had to leave the game after a check to Matthew Wood's head. The defender of the Jungadler Mannheim received a major penalty plus a game misconduct penalty. In the power play that followed, Nick Ladris (16th) scored after a pass across the slot and Matthew Wook (17th) made it 2-0 at halftime. The German team's biggest chance in the first third came in the last minute, Julius Sumpf, but he was thwarted by Canadian goalie Carson Bjarnason.
After the first break, the German boys played more courageously, found their way into the game better and forced the Canadians to make mistakes in the neutral zone. But after another penalty against Edwin Topmann, Lukas Dragicevic managed to score 3-0 on his own from his own third (31st minute). Just a minute later, 16-year-old Porter Martone increased the lead to 4-0. The Canadians' pressure remained extremely high even after the fourth goal. Matthew Wood made it 5-0 at halftime (35th minute).
It had to be in the final section DEB-Team had to play with a man down again. But in the 47th minute, the Canadians, with the same number of players, crossed the neutral zone with a long pass, allowing Calum Ritchie to score to make it 6-0. Eleven minutes before the end, there was another power play for Germany. But Canada had the better opportunities in those two minutes, which Leon Willerscheid was able to defuse. Nick Ladris put the final point of the afternoon with two more goals to make it 0-8.
In the end, Canada won 8-0, its first victory at this World Cup. The German team was able to keep up well at times, but repeatedly weakened itself through the many penalty times. The next match is on Saturday at 17 p.m. against the Czech Republic. The game will be broadcast live and free of charge by MagentaSport.