Despite defeat: Team sees increase before knockout game
Created: 02/13/2022Updated: 02/13/2022 17:07
Tom Kühnhackl (r) scores the goal to make it 3-2 against the USA.
© Peter Kneffel/dpa
The German ice hockey selection loses the second preliminary round game against a North American team at the Olympics.
A win in the qualifying game is now required for entry.
The opponent is named.
Beijing – Tom Kühnhackl dropped his head briefly, while behind him the young US boys celebrated victory over the German ice hockey team and direct entry into the quarterfinals.
The late goal of the Stanley Cup winner to 2: 3 (1: 1, 0: 1, 1: 1) in Beijing was not enough at the end of the preliminary round to prevent an early, first knockout game.
Now it's up against Slovakia to progress to the quarter-finals.
"Very annoying - that was a big improvement in performance compared to the first two games," said Kühnhackl on the second defeat after the 1:5 against Canada.
He called for the simple mistakes to be eliminated: "We still have to polish out the little things a bit."
Two goals are not enough
An early goal from Patrick Hager (2nd minute) and the goal from the son of ice hockey legend Erich Kühnhackl (58th) were not enough for the second group success of the team of national coach Toni Söderholm after the 3-2 win against the Olympia -Selection of China.
Steven Kampfer (5th), Matt Knies (25th) and Nathan Smith (43rd) fired the young US team to victory in the group and thus to direct qualification for the quarterfinals, which would have been possible for Germany anyway only with a big win.
As in 2018, when winning the silver medal was the greatest German ice hockey success ever, the German team has to play in a first decision game.
Improved performance gives hope
The appearance gives hope after the rather disappointing performance so far.
"We made one or two small mistakes that the Americans immediately punished," said long-time NHL professional Korbinian Holzer on ARD, but also said: "We showed the right reaction.
Today was a big step in the right direction that we can build on.”
Holzer sees the former world champion Slovakia as an equal opponent.
Captain Moritz Müller added after what he considered to be the best game of the tournament so far: "We experienced that in 2018, the tournament is starting now.
We can be a tough opponent if we use our strengths."
Cheered on by numerous other German Olympic athletes in the Wukesong Sports Center, the fifth in the world rankings improved both in terms of fighting and play.
From the start, the team was more aggressive and passionate against the largely collegiate US team than they had been in previous games.
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After just 120 seconds, Germany was rewarded with a majority.
Hager from EHC Red Bull Munich scored after a nice combination.
Apparently, Söderholm's personnel changes also helped.
After the weak performances in the tournament so far, the Finn left the previously disappointing Daniel Pietta from Ingolstadt and Mannheim's David Wolf in the stands.
Changed starting lineup
Söderholm even did without an extra 13th striker, as Marco Nowak was still missing a defender injured.
The 31-year-old received a check to the head against Canada.
It is unclear whether he can play against Slovakia again.
On the other hand, it was expected that Söderholm would change goal one day after the game against China - especially since Mathias Niederberger from the champions Eisbären Berlin could hardly convince so far.
It was amazing that Danny aus den Birken Mannheims Felix Brückmann, who had been weak for Munich this season in the German Ice Hockey League, was preferred.
Aus den Birken, who was in goal for Germany's silver medal four years ago, benefited from Germany's aggressive defense against the fast US talent.
The 36-year-old was powerless when equalizing outnumbered by Kampfer, who was employed in Russia.
Before the second goal was conceded, the veteran unfortunately lost his racket.
The USA's third goal was preceded by a bad pass by Jonas Müller.
After that, nothing more than the connecting gate was possible.
dpa