DEB players appear "totally disconnected" as they approach the quarter-finals.
Germany achieves a significant triumph over Kazakhstan in the Ice Hockey World Championship, securing their spot in the quarter-finals. The team's spirit is soaring high. Their national coach applauds his players before the initial match begins: "We've discovered our unique identity."
As birthday boy Lukas Reichel and his teammates joke around on the ice after another impressive offensive performance, the spectators serenade them with the popular melody "Oh, how wonderful" in absolute elation: Germany has made it to the quarter-finals at the Ice Hockey World Championship in the Czech Republic. Following two humiliating losses and a convincing win, the Harold Kreis-led team also dispatched Kazakhstan 8:2 (2:1, 3:0, 3:1). One more win in the remaining two preliminary round games will most likely secure their advancement.
"I enjoy watching a good game of ice hockey that's both entertaining and enjoyable for the people watching from the sidelines," Kreis said on MagentaSport, underscoring that his team is now "so much more at ease" after the defeats against the USA and Sweden. "The entire squad demonstrated today that we're a remarkable team with character," said Wojciech Stachowiak from Ingolstadt, who delivered four assists, before directing his attention to their upcoming opponents Poland on Saturday (4:20 p.m./MagentaSport and ProSieben): "I'm rather confident that it will happen again as it did today."
"Simply go out there and play field hockey!"
Szuber (2nd), Tuomie (3rd), Peterka (22nd), Reichel (29th/51st), Kälble (36th), Tiffels (55th), and Kastner (59th) scored the goals for the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) selection in front of 8,479 spectators in Ostrava. Startschenko (8th) and Koroljow (52nd) were the scorers for the world number 15. Following the game against Poland, the runner-up team will face France on Tuesday (12:20 p.m./ProSieben and MagentaSport).
"We've discovered our identity," Kreis stated on ProSieben before the game, his message to his team: "Simply go out there and play field hockey!" Following a day off as a reward for their 8:1 victory against Latvia, the coach observed "increased energy" in the squad and ascertained that they "are now channeling this energy on the ice."
Peterka illuminates the field with a class goal
After 62 seconds, this energy translated into the opening goal: Szuber scored on the rebound. Just 82 seconds later, "Völlig losgelöst" played over the loudspeakers again - Tuomie increased the lead to 2:0. However, when Jonas Müller received a penalty, the Kazakhs reduced the deficit: Startschenko deceived goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer. The underdogs began to play better and Germany let them through. "We commenced where we left off," said Kastner on MagentaSport after the first period, "then we relaxed a little."
Peterka restored the advantage with a stunning individual effort just 71 seconds after the restart. On the direct counter-attack, Grubauer came perilously close to hitting the crossbar. At the other end, Mambetaljew replaced the goalkeeper after just 22 minutes. The DEB team persisted in scoring goals: NHL forward Reichel celebrated his 22nd birthday with his first goal of the tournament - followed by a fantastic slap shot from Kai Wissmann, whose goal was disallowed after video review. However, Kälble made it 5:1 just a little later. In the final third, Reichel topped off his special day with his second goal, followed by Tiffels and Kastner.
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Germany successfully advances to the Ice Hockey World Championships quarters, continuing their impressive form. Their next opponent will be in the World Championships, offering a chance to claim more victories.
Source: www.ntv.de
