The German national team lost the opening game against Sweden after a strong start at Harold Kreis’ World Cup premiere on Friday evening 0-1 (0-0, 0-0, 0-1) and missed a surprise.
The team around Stanley Cup winner Nico Sturm and NHL young star Moritz Seider lost. The selection of the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) was the better team in front of 9179 spectators in Tampere in the first third, but did not use their chances. Oscar Lindberg scored for the Swedes in the power play (42nd).
The next big chunk is already waiting on Saturday (7:20 p.m.): The second opponent in preliminary round group A is defending champions and hosts Finland. At the end of 2022, the 64-year-old circle succeeded Toni Söderholm, who led the German team to the World Cup semi-finals two years ago. His playing career in the DEB shirt began in 1979 with a 7-3 loss to Sweden.
Seider and Wissmann in action, Gawanke joins the DEB team
Seider and AHL defender Kai Wissmann, who joined the team just a few days ago, were already on the ice. Defender Leon Gawanke, also eliminated in the AHL playoffs, is expected at the weekend. Berlin’s Manuel Wiederer and Munich’s Filip Varejcka were not registered yet, they watched from the stands as the young team with six World Cup newcomers got off to a very courageous and aggressive start.
Daniel Fischbuch and Fabio Wagner missed the early lead when they had a double chance (2′). NHL rookie John-Jason Peterka showed his technical skills in a remarkable solo, but there was no conclusion (12th). The 21-year-old formed the front row with Swiss legionnaire Dominik Kahun and Frederik Tiffels. Sturm led the more defensive second formation with Samuel Soramies and Alexander Ehl.
The Swedes, who competed with eight NHL professionals, initially had some problems getting access to the game. After the first third there were 9:4 shots for the outsider, Kreis could be satisfied with his first World Cup run as boss. In the run-up to the World Cup, the 187-time national player had received more than a dozen rejections from regular players and top performers.
Sweden turns up only in the second third
In the second third, Sweden had better chances, Munich’s champion goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger got more to do and saved several times in dire need. On the other side Peterka had the 1:0 on the racket (31st). Two seconds before an unnecessary penalty from Fischbuch would have expired, Lindberg deflected a Jonatan Berggren shot past Niederberger.