The win against Great Britain was the least Germany could do to reach the quarter-finals of the Ice Hockey World Cup. Now we need outside help.
Germany’s national ice hockey team did its job at the end of the World Cup group phase and defeated Great Britain 6:3 (3:0, 1:1, 2:2). After the favorites’ victory on Monday in Zurich, they need help from Hungary on Tuesday so that they can make it to the quarter-finals.
Only if the Hungarians win against Latvia at 12.20 p.m. will Germany make it to fourth place and thus into the knockout phase. One point would be enough for the favored Latvians to stay ahead of Germany in the table.
“We’re still there until the Latvians win. It could well be that they lose the game. We’ll just have to wait and see,” said national coach Harold Kreis of the sports show.
Six different goalscorers
Against pointless bottom team Great Britain, Germany lived up to its role as favorites and scored through Alexander Karachun (14th minute), Frederik Tiffels (20th), Fabio Wagner (20th), Andreas Eder (23rd), Joshua Samanski (41st) and Leon Gawanke (50th). The goals for the British were scored by Robert Dowd (25th), Ollie Betteridge (51st) and Robert Lachowicz (55th).
USA victory reduces the chances
Shortly before the final group game, the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) team had to accept bad news on Monday. The USA defeated Hungary 7:3, which significantly reduced their chances of reaching the quarterfinals.
Table constellations are still possible in which three or even four teams are tied on points. Then complicated three-way or four-way comparisons would be used, in which Germany would always be behind the USA and Latvia because of the direct defeats.
Seider serves Karachun
In order to have any hope left, Germany absolutely needed a win in regular time against Great Britain. And national coach Harold Kreis’ team made it clear from the start that they would approach this task with the necessary seriousness. It immediately established itself in the British third, combining like in the power play.
Initially there was no move to the goal, but Karachun’s goal after strong preparatory work by Moritz Seider broke the spell. The Schwenninger Karachun was nominated for the injured Daniel Fischbuch. A double strike from Tiffels and Wagner ensured things were clear before the first break.
After Eder’s fourth goal, Germany let their defensive work slip a bit, which Dowd took advantage of to score the next goal. The puck unfortunately slipped through NHL goalie Philipp Grubauer from the Seattle Kraken.
In the final third, the DEB team got off to a good start with Samanski’s goal, but after Gawanke’s goal it looked like a clear affair. But two more goals conceded marred the overall impression.
Found World Cup form late
The German team only found its form late at the World Cup. After opening defeats against Finland, Latvia and Switzerland, the first point was scored against the USA after a defeat in the penalty shootout.
The clear victories against Hungary, Austria and Great Britain might not be enough. There is still a lot to do before the home World Cup next year.
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