Ice Hockey World Cup
Trembling victory against Poland: DEB team about to reach the quarter-finals
JJ Peterka scores late to make the final score 4-2 for the German national team. photo
© Darko Vojinovic/AP/dpa
The German national ice hockey team has more problems than expected at the World Cup in the Czech Republic with newly promoted Poland. Still, it’s enough for three points. The quarterfinals are close.
The German national ice hockey team’s entry into the World Cup quarter-finals is despite one thing trembling victory is just a formality. The vice world champion defeated newly promoted Poland 4:2 (0:0, 2:0, 2:2) in Ostrava, Czech Republic, but had some problems against the outsiders.
“It was a work victory today,” said national coach Harold Kreis. “We can’t always play the way we want to win a game. We showed how we have to play to win a game.” Alexander Ehl (26th minute), JJ Peterka (36th/57th) with a brace and Yasin Ehliz (45th) scored for the German team.
At the end of the group phase on Tuesday (12.20 p.m./ProSieben and MagentaSport), a win against France is enough for Germany to qualify for the round of the top eight. If Latvia does not win against Slovakia on Sunday, the selection of the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) will reach the quarter-finals without playing. If the Latvians manage to surprise the Olympic bronze medalist, they would also have to defeat the USA two days later. In addition, Germany must not win against France.
Difficult conditions in the arena
The district team was unable to maintain the momentum after the two clear victories against Latvia (8:1) and on Friday against Kazakhstan (8:2). Poland, cheered on by half of the 9,109 spectators, was more stable in defense and made some offensive moves. Goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger, who stood between the posts for NHL keeper Philipp Grubauer, had to intervene several times in the first few minutes.
“We’re not giving them anything,” Germany defender Maksymilian Szuber announced. Like Wojciech Stachowiak, the defender was born in Poland. However, their team lacked passing security and, in some phases, concentration. Pucks that last reached a teammate always ended up at the opponent.
The DEB selection also had some problems with the circumstances in the arena on the ninth day of the tournament. “The temperatures are abnormal,” complained NHL professional Nico Sturm to ProSieben after the first third and added: “The ice is bad.”
DEB team lets Poland get to it again
A nice toy against the world number 22. brought the redeeming first goal: via Parker Tuomie and Maxi Kastner the puck came to Ehl, who scored with a powerful shot (26th). It was the first goal for the Düsseldorfer in the title fights in the Czech Republic.
Even though the district team still couldn’t shine, they had the opponent better under control. The Polish goalkeeper David Zabolotny made several brilliant saves. After an opponent threw a stick before Yasin Ehliz shot on goal, there was a penalty for the DEB selection: Peterka confidently converted to make it 2-0. It was the fourth goal of the tournament for the Buffalo Sabers NHL star.
The Poles became more tired in the final section. The German team had the match completely under control. After Ehliz made it 3-0, the game actually seemed decided (45th).
Nevertheless, the Poles suddenly got a tailwind in the last few minutes. First Patryk Wajda reduced the score to 1:3 from a tight angle (54th), Filip Komorski even scored the next goal (56th). Peterka decided the match with his second goal of the day. “It was a very important victory for us. You grow together even more when you win a close game,” said Peterka.