Even without numerous regular players, the German national ice hockey team is getting better and better. 13 days before the start of the World Cup in Switzerland, national coach Harold Kreis’ team defeated Austria 5:2 (2:0, 1:0, 2:2) after a long convincing performance and celebrated their fourth victory in a row in preparation, although the players from the DEL finalists and from North America were still missing.
Local hero Maximilian Kastner from Red Bull Munich (8th), Alexander Blank from Augsburg (13th), the Swiss legionnaire Dominik Kahun (40th), Daniel Fischbuch from Iserlohn (56th) and Tim Brunnhuber from Straubing (60th) scored the goals for the selection of the German Ice Hockey Federation in front of 5,148 spectators in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.
The only drawback was the poor conversion of chances; the victory could have been much higher. That’s why it got exciting again when Lucas Thaler (44th) and Mario Huber (48th) reduced the score to 2:3 for Austria in the final third.
“The team played very disciplined, played simply, targets deep, hard forechecking, everyone is working back,” said a satisfied Kreis at “MagentaSport”. On Thursday it was 4:3 in Zell am See.
The two neighbors are opponents again in the preliminary round of the World Cup. The DEB team had previously won 3-1 twice against Slovakia after two defeats at the start in the Czech Republic (3:5, 1:4).
Question marks behind Seider
The team should not be complete until the dress rehearsal on May 10th in Mannheim against the USA – with the players from Eisbären Berlin and Adler Mannheim. DEB sports director Christian Künast announced that goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer from the NHL will definitely join us. There is a small question mark behind defender Moritz Seider, he is still injured, “in the end it is his decision,” said Künast on “MagentaSport”.
NHL debutant Joshua Samanski could also strengthen the team, “things are looking very good,” reported Künast. Superstar Leon Draisaitl, on the other hand, canceled before the playoffs because of his long-term knee injury, and Tim Stützle and John-Jason Peterka probably won’t come either. Lukas Reichel has to continue playing with Boston in the AHL after the playoff exit.
The captain’s “C” was worn by Swiss professional Kahun on Saturday. The double silver medalist from the 2018 Olympics and the 2023 World Cup had recovered from his flu-like infection and appeared in preparation for the first time. “It’s always an honor. If I’m healthy, I’ll be there,” said the 30-year-old, who is about to take part in his ninth World Cup in his adopted home of Switzerland. The tournament begins for the German team on May 15th in Zurich against Finland.
