ICE HOCKEY Ex-Tölzer Leon Hüttl, Max Franzreb and JJ Peterka win vice world championship title with DEB
Tampere/Bad Tölz – Disappointment can also be a sign. A sign that a lot of things went right. Anyone who is temporarily dissatisfied with the silver medal around their neck after a final defeat against Canada has shown that they want more. That he can keep up with the top nations in the ice hockey world. And so it was in the DEB team, which had to admit defeat to serial world champion Canada 2:5 in the final at the World Cup in Finland. With an empty-net hit and after leading twice. "After this tournament, we saw that we can take on anyone if everything fits," says Leon Hüttl from Heilbrunn, who was runner-up in the World Cup with this team and thus caused a tangible surprise. "One or two fewer mistakes, they will be punished by Canada just ice-cold, a little more luck on our side, and the title would have been possible," said the 22-year-old defender of ERC Ingolstadt (DEL).
You can't plan for a runner-up title
Ex-Lions keeper Maximilian Franzreb from Tölz (Fischtown Pinguins Bremerhaven, DEL) saw it the same way. Even from the stands. The third goalkeeper of the DEB selection followed all the players on call. "We have a young team, but they did brutally well, found each other better from game to game and were optimally set up by the coaching staff." In the end, the jubilation over the runner-up world championship title predominates. Clearly. "We didn't expect that, you can't plan something like that," says the 26-year-old Tölzer.
After three defeats: committed to victory
Especially since the progress of the German team after the preliminary round was endangered. After three defeats against the group favorites in a row, the DEB team was under pressure. Each of the remaining four preliminary round matches had to be won. "But we did it very confidently," says Hüttl. A hard-fought victory against Denmark – the preliminary decision – clearer successes against Austria, Hungary and France, thus reaching the quarter-finals. And at the latest after the 3-1 win against the previously unbeaten Swiss, it was clear: "We can go very far," said Franzreb.
On an equal footing with top nations
The DEB team, which had grown together and strengthened in terms of play, eliminated the USA 4-3 in extra time in the semi-finals. Silver – as was the case at the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyongchang – was assured for the Germans. "But the runner-up title is worth almost more than the Olympic medal, because it's the first World Championship medal for a German team in 70 years. Unbelievable," says Hüttl. "On an equal footing with the top nations," says Franzreb happily.
Sooner than expected better than expected
This was made possible by a young team whose talents had already made great strides in development earlier than expected, says Franzreb. "Justin Schütz, Filip Varejka or Wojciech Stachowiak, all the young ones have made progress that you wouldn't have expected. They've surpassed themselves." And the coaching team around Harold Kreis has succeeded in integrating the players who gradually joined from the playoff finals of the DEL or from the NHL.
"They brought the right characters into the team," said Hüttl, who was pleased to be part of a squad that was nominally getting stronger and stronger and also setting standards on the ice. This also includes John-Jason "JJ" Peterka (Buffalo Sabres), who was trained up to the students at EC Bad Tölz and has now arrived in the NHL: His move to the goal, his ease at the end ensured that he was selected to the All-Star team.
In the stands despite two pre-season victories
Franzreb is happy with the team – even without his own ice age. And they deal with him. "Everyone has their share in the success. After the victories, we cheered and celebrated together, this cohesion has distinguished this team." The Tölzer, who has lived in northern Germany since childhood and guarded the goal of the Tölzer Löwen for two DEL2021 years until 2, is a little disappointed that he was not even on the bench as the third keeper. "It would be weird if I was happy not to have played." He is too ambitious, too professional for that. In the World Cup preparation, he made three games, two of which were won by Germany. But he begrudges his colleagues the commitment and rejoices with them.
It took time for what had been achieved to be realized. Also for Hüttl. In the end, joy and satisfaction prevailed after a strong tournament. "I think everyone knows they can be proud of themselves. That made me want more."
Return flight soon after the final
However, the German ice hockey players had to shorten the exuberant celebration a little in Tampere: After the final in the evening, the plane was already booked for 6 o'clock in the morning the next morning. But back home, the silver heroes let themselves live duly high. And now they have time to relax a little before they start summer training in the league again: Franzreb has planned a two-week holiday at Fuertaventura. Hüttl has at least five days of vacation before he has to take care of his change of residence.
+Had to cheer from the stands: Maximilian Franzreb still had his share of success.
© Oliver Rabuser/Archive
+John Peterka (centre) celebrates his goal to make it 1-0 in the final against Canada with his teammates.
© Pavel Golovkin/dpa
