Who will claim the title of world champion? What's happening with Germany?
Germany's national ice hockey team is almost through to the quarter-finals in the World Championships happening in the Czech Republic. However, there are a few questions still lingering before the final week begins. Who are Germany's potential opponents? Which German players have made a mark so far? Here's a closer look at these crucial queries.
When can we expect Germany in the quarter-finals? Victory against France on Tuesday (12.20 pm/ProSieben and MagentaSport) could be enough for Germany to wrap up the group stage. If Latvia can't beat Slovakia on Sunday, Germany will advance to the next round without having to play. If Latvia does manage an upset against the Olympic bronze medalists, things would get more complicated. Germany mustn't win against France in that scenario.
Who might they face? Possible opponents could be hosts Czech Republic, favorite rivals Switzerland, or world champions Canada. Only after the final day could it be determined whom Germany's national coach Harold Kreis and his team would play in the quarter-finals and where they'll play. The playoffs follow a cross-over format, so the first team in Group A will play the fourth team in Group B, for example. The latest time Germany bested Switzerland was last year, and they were semi-finalists in the World Cup that season. Switzerland has also been defeated in the knockout phase in 2010 and 2021, as well as during the 2018 Olympics. In the words of JJ Peterka, "I'd be thrilled. It's always fun to play against them. They might be a little intimidated by us if you consider the past few years."
Where will they play their games? All of Germany's matches have thus far been in Ostrava. However, only the top two in Group B will stay in the Czech Republic's third-largest city to play the quarter-finals. Teams finishing third and fourth will relocate to the second venue in Prague. The only exception is the home team Czech Republic, as they'll stay put even if they end up third in Group A. The runner-up in Group A, in that event, would head to Ostrava to play the third-place finisher in Group B. The semi-finals on Saturday and the bronze medal and championship matches on Sunday will also be played in Prague.
Who's excelled for the Germans so far? NHL pros Nico Sturm, JJ Peterka, and Philipp Grubauer have all capably handled their roles as leaders. Sturm, in particular, has proven his worth both on and off the ice. Peterka sits atop the scoring leaderboard with five goals. Grubauer has made a mark against Slovakia, Latvia, and Kazakhstan. Germany's offense, featuring Leonhard Pföderl (three goals, five assists) and Yasin Ehliz (two goals, six assists), has displayed a great deal of energy. Kai Wissmann from Eisbären Berlin and rookie Lukas Kälble from Mannheim have stood out in defense and have been accurate shooting for the other team.
What are the chances of becoming world champions? Sweden has been the most impressive outfit so far thanks to their exceptional defensive trio of Victor Hedman, Erik Karlsson, and Rasmus Dahlin. The Swedes made their intentions clear with a 5-2 win over the USA and a 6-1 victory over Germany. They last won a World Cup in 2018. Meanwhile, Switzerland has also been playing well. Experts hail the current Swiss squad as the best ever boasting seven NHL players. However, the Czech Republic, who have welcomed three reinforcements from North America in the shape of superstar David Pastrnak, Martin Necas, and Pavel Zacha, and world champions Canada remain formidable factors in the tournament. With a strong team in place, the USA still remains something of a mystery. The American team was quite uncertain during the preliminary games.
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Germany could potentially face the World Championships hosts Czech Republic, favorable rivals Switzerland, or defending champions Canada in the quarter-finals if they advance. Meanwhile, Germany's NHL stars like Nico Sturm, JJ Peterka, and Philipp Grubauer have been providing solid performances in the tournament.
Source: www.ntv.de
