The task for the German team at the start of the World Cup could hardly have been scarier: Sweden, eleven times ice hockey world champion, two times Olympic champion. But national coach Harold Kreis said bravely: “We certainly won’t hide.” More important than the result of this first group game, said captain Moritz Müller, is the reaction to it anyway: “If we win, we still have to beat the others. And if we lose, even more so.” That didn’t sound like whistling in the forest, at most a bit like: nothing can happen. Six group games follow
To say it with Müller: You will definitely have to win now. Despite a respectable performance, Kreis’ team lost the day’s second game in Group A in Tampere 0-1 (0-0, 0-0, 0-1). They don’t have to hide. But annoyed about their own exploitation of chances. “We played well and had enough chances. The defeat is bitter,” not only Dominik Kahun thought.
Swedish ice hockey recently took a longer breather. After the World Cup double in 2017 and 2018 they came Tre Kronor never beyond the quarterfinals; After all, Germany was in the semifinals in 2021 and beat Sweden in the 2018 Olympic quarterfinals. Under the new coach Sam Hallam, that should change as soon as possible. The 43-year-old, who began his coaching career at Bofors IK – the factory club of the steel and weapons manufacturer of the same name, which was once owned by dynamite inventor Alfred Nobel – coached elite Swedish club Växjo Lakers for ten years before winning the three- Kronen team took over.
In addition to Fabian Zetterlund, teammate of Nico Sturm at the San José Sharks, and Lucas Raymond, teammate of Moritz Seider at the Detroit Red Wings, there were six other players from the North American NHL in Hallam’s squad against Germany, significantly fewer than in previous years. But four professionals from the Swiss National League – and otherwise only players from Swedish clubs. Heavy metal from a local foundry, so to speak.
Lindberg deflects a shot, so DEB keeper Niederberger has no chance of preventing the 0:1.
However, the first third clearly belonged to the DEB team, which often took the fright out of the Swedish advances in the neutral zone. Thanks to nimble feet and quick transitions, the German goalkeeper Lars Johansson occupied more than the Scandinavian defensive specialists could have liked. They only acted too complicated in front of the goal. The power play – the most effective of the tournament at the last World Cup – remained dull. 9:4 shots on goal after 20 minutes showed German dominance. The 0-0 at the first break, some rubbed their eyes, was very flattering for the Swedes.
Even after two thirds, the score hadn’t changed. However, the Swedes were now braver. After an erratic loss of the puck in Maksymilian Szuber’s own third, Mathias Niederberger saved his Munich team-mate’s World Cup debut. The question was: who would lose their nerve first: the Germans, who had had enough chances for several goals? Or the Swedes, who obviously had teething troubles? In any case, it was the Swedes who first found their way into the goal. In the power play, Oscar Lindberg deflected the puck to make it 0:1 (42nd) for Niederberger.
The Germans attempted an orderly response. But they never found the right key in front of the gate. Even the last attempt with a field player more, without a goalkeeper, fizzled out.
“Even if it sounds stupid, we should take it game by game,” said defender Kai Wissmann. Well then: This Saturday, hosts Finland, 2022 Olympic champions and twice decorated with gold at the last three world championships, are waiting. In the opening game against the USA, however, the Finns conceded a surprisingly bitter 1:4 defeat. Nevertheless, the Germans do not have to be afraid.