TOf course, obia’s defender knew what his team would be up against: the Canadians aren’t just “very strong opponents” at every ice hockey tournament, especially at the U-20 World Championship. But on Wednesday evening in Halifax it would be even more difficult, the national coach was sure in advance, as he announced in TV interviews. Because after their surprising opening defeat against the Czech Republic, the Canadians would have “anger in their stomachs” and “want to prove to the nation at home that they are a very good team”.
Such a U-20 World Cup is a matter of national importance in Canada. Every year between Christmas and the beginning of January, millions sit in front of the screens, so an opening defeat is not planned. So a statement was needed – and that came to the chagrin of Abkampfer and the selection of the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB). It was 11:2 after 60 one-sided minutes in front of more than 10,000 fans. The Canadians scored four goals in just a five-minute overtime in the second period – each more beautiful than the next.
That was not only the right answer to the criticism after the start, it was also the hoped-for show from exceptional talent Connor Bedard, who sometimes looked like an adult was playing against children. He is only 17 years old himself and therefore younger than everyone in the DEB squad. But that didn’t stop Bedard from constantly running away from them, playing dream passes without looking or putting the puck almost effortlessly into the net.
“Some pretty good players”
With the game only half over, the upcoming superstar had already completed his hat-trick and ended up with four assists. Seven points in one game – Bedard set a Canadian record. “He was incredible,” said his coach Dennis Williams. Bedard himself remained modest, saying he had “a couple of pretty good teammates who make it really easy for me”. And anyway: “It was just one of those evenings.”
For the Germans, too, it was one of those evenings that can happen when you meet one of the big six nations of world ice hockey. Then it sometimes becomes double digits. Especially when their own exceptional talents Moritz Seider or Tim Stützle are now playing in the NHL and have outgrown the U20s. So the current tournament is a test of the breadth of young German talent. The 0-1 draw against Sweden was a sign that the next generation isn’t that bad either.
Austria lost twice high
“You saw that if we play the system and meet our requirements, we can keep up with any opponent,” said striker Luca Hauf afterwards. It is true that the Swedes were clearly superior and the outstanding German goalkeeper Nikita Quapp saved 43 shots, but in the end those in front almost equalized. That would have been the next surprise in a tournament not lacking in surprises. It wasn’t just the Czech victory against Canada that caused astonished looks, the Swiss had previously beaten the Finns, and on Wednesday the Slovaks duped the Americans.
On the other hand, who is far from a surprise: the Austrians: 0:11 against Sweden, 0:9 against the Czech Republic. This Friday (10.30 p.m. CET at Magentasport) they are the next opponent of the German team. It was already clear in advance that the duel between the neighbors would be decisive as to who made it into the quarter-finals and who had to play against the bottom of the other group to avoid relegation. A win – and the tournament goal of staying in the class is achieved.
But if things go wrong, the DEB has a problem. The young Germans had no chance at the U-18 World Cup in April, but relegation was still suspended because of the pandemic. In August, the women only saved themselves with a goal 0.1 seconds before the end of the last game. And the men recently lost national coach Toni Söderholm, who would rather train SC Bern despite a new four-year contract. Good news would be all the more important, so there is a lot at stake for the DEB this Friday evening.
