Another first-class fighting performance was not enough for the German ice hockey team to win the World Cup: In the end, the German cracks had to admit defeat against Canada by 2:5 (1:1, 1:1, 0:2).
The German team got off to a great start, faced the highly favored Canadians confidently and courageously. Just eight minutes had been played when Moritz Seider once again managed one of his great passes from his own third into the attacking line. John-Jason Peterka elegantly took the disc with him and threw it halfway up into the far corner from the left.
The goal didn’t seem completely unstoppable, but the Germans didn’t care – they were leading 1-0. The goal also survived a challenge from the Canadian dugout, who claimed they were offside.
Canada equalizes quickly
The North Americans were visibly surprised by the underdog’s performance and had to shake themselves briefly. But they did so quickly and soon struck back. In the 11th minute, the German back line was not optimally positioned, and it was already 1:1: Peyton Krebs had space to lay across to Sammy Blais in front of the goal, who only had to push in.
The two teams didn’t give each other anything until the first break, the game was absolutely balanced – which was also shown by the shots on target of 8:8.
Canada pushes, Germany hits
The Canadians had the better start in the middle third. Combined quickly and safely on the puck, Germany had trouble freeing itself from its own box in many a precarious situation. Jake Neighbors and a little later Jack McBain had the best chances, each just missing the German goal.
Harold Kreis’s team scored another lead right in the middle of the Canadian urge phase: after a pass from Maximilian Kastner, the disc was deflected and bounced in a strange way, causing a Canadian to miss the ball. In the slot Daniel Fischbuch came to the puck and just hit it. Sam Montembeault in the Canadian goal was on the ball, but he couldn’t prevent the 2:1 for the German team (34th).
Crouse deflects, Blais proves overview – 3: 2 for Canada
But it didn’t go into the second break with a German lead. This was ensured by Lawson Crouse, who made it 2-2 in the 38th minute. Peyton Krebs had shot, Crouse deflected perfectly in front of the German box, so that keeper Mathias Niederberger had no chance.
As in the second third, the Canadians also dominated the beginning of the last section. They noticeably increased the pace and at times constricted the Germans. With everything they have, Seider and Co. threw themselves into the shots and passes of the final opponent – but in the 44th minute it happened: Cody Glass conquered the puck behind the German box, passed in front of the goal, where keeper Niederberger initially could clarify. But Sammy Blais kept the overview and somehow slammed the ball into the net from a tight angle – 3:2 for Canada.
Counter to 4:2 decides the game
Things took their course now – the German team was less and less able to counter the Canadian pressure. Milan Lucic banged the puck on the post of the German goal shortly after the 3:2, in the 52nd minute the preliminary decision was made: Germany dared to go into the opposing third with Kai Wissmann at the disc, but lost the puck. Canada countered. And how: It was three against one in the direction of the German goal – Tyler Toffoli shot ice cold to 4: 2 (52nd)
The German team tried everything again in the final minutes. Keeper Niederberger left the goal three minutes before the end in favor of an additional field player – it was of no use. In the end, the Canadians brought their success sovereign over time, even scored the 5:2 through Scott Laughton. Germany stayed in second place and the certainty: It played a fantastic World Cup tournament.