Germany came too late to scoring chances
Even in the middle of the first third there was little to suggest that the German team could improve on the previous record of only four wins in 31 World Cup games against the Czech selection. The revenge for the bitter end three years ago at 1: 5 in the World Cup quarterfinals in Bratislava was a long way off.
Söderholm’s protégés only had chances to score at the end of the first period, attacker Lukas Reichel from the second-class North American professional league AHL hit the post (19th). “We have to find our game, trust ourselves a bit more,” warned captain Moritz Müller at Sport1.
But the Czechs wouldn’t allow that. Tactically well adjusted by coach Jalonen, the former ice hockey superpower constricted the German team in phases in its own third. The first majority in the middle of the second part of the game was also unsuccessful for the DEB selection.
Instead, the next penalty and the next blow to the neck followed. Defender veteran Korbinian Holzer had to leave, David Krejci scored to make it 3-0 (33rd). The fact that polar bear attacker Marcel Noebels failed again shortly afterwards at the post matched the used day of the Germans. “We had too much respect,” admitted young NHL star Seider before the final third.
Nine minutes before the end, Söderholm took a full risk, taking keeper Philipp Grubauer off the ice in favor of another attacker when he was outnumbered. The reward was Seider’s long-range goal to make it 1:3. But the turning point was no longer successful. Jiri Smejkal (59th) hit the empty goal.