3.
15:23
Harold Kreis had previously asked his team to be even more compact at the back and block the zone in order to curb the Americans’ speed game. In fact, the DEB selection makes it incredibly tight in the back around its own slot.
1.
15:22
Here we go! Germany plays in black and white and starts with Mathias Niederberger in goal. Casey DeSmith guards the blue-clad guests’ box.
1.
15:20
game start
15:19
Dinner is served! The two teams have just stepped onto the ice in Tampere’s Nokia Arena and in a few minutes this preliminary round match between Germany and the USA will start!
15:12
In contrast to the German team, the USA got off to a perfect start. Last year’s third in the World Cup started with a very convincing 4:1 against defending champion Finland and then easily shot Hungary 7:1 off the ice. National coach David Quinn has a powerful squad of experienced NHL professionals and young talents with him again this year, striving for the first world title since 1933. With two-time Stanley Cup winner Nick Bonino and Alex Tuch, the North Americans have two really big names, especially up front.
15:06
Leon Gawanke is part of the German team for the first time today. The Winnipeg Jets defenseman has had a few days to acclimatize and is ready for his first game. Attacker Manuel Wieder is also in the squad today, with Daniel Fischbuch taking a break. Of course, the name Leon Draisaitl also circles over the DEB team. After his bitter playoff exit yesterday, the star of the Edmonton Oilers is only an option if at all towards the quarterfinals. Mathias Niederberger starts again today in the German goal.
15:00
The German team had the day off yesterday and had time to clear their heads after the first two bankruptcies. According to head coach Harold Kreis, that apparently worked. “The frustration was yesterday, today the mindset is different, today we’re looking ahead again,” the 64-year-old clarified in the run-up to the third preliminary round game. Nico Sturm sees room for improvement, especially on the offensive. “A little more traffic in front of the goal, a little more windows in the direction of the goal,” the NHL star wishes of the San Jose Sharks and also demanded: “We have to get a little dirtier.”
14:53
The DEB selection has only played two of seven group games so far, and yet they are already under a lot of pressure ahead of this duel with the USA. Because the German runner cracks kept up well against the two top teams from Sweden (0:1) and Finland (3:4), but ultimately didn’t record anything countable. In order not to be under too much pressure before the four games against the supposedly beatable opponents Denmark, France, Hungary and Austria, the first points should finally be scored today against Team USA.
14:50
Hello and welcome to the third group game of the German national ice hockey team at the 2023 World Cup! At 3:20 p.m., the DEB selection will take on the USA in Tampere, Finland.