Eishockey
DEB selection with a good test: Franzreb in the back, effective in the front
The DEB selection of national coach Harold Kreis won in Slovakia. photo
© Armin Weigel/dpa
The national coach is satisfied after an increase in performance of the German national ice hockey team. The next test in preparation for the World Cup is on Saturday.
The relief of national coach Harold Kreis was palpable. “Chapeau to the team,” said the new coach of the national ice hockey team. Two weeks before the start of the World Cup in Finland and Latvia (May 12-28), his team showed a clear improvement in Friday’s 4-3 win in Slovakia.
“We worked hard for 60 minutes today,” said the 64-year-old in praise of his players. The DEB selection can already confirm the good performance this Saturday (2.30 p.m. / Magentasport). Then it’s back against Slovakia in Trencin.
“The win was very good,” said Dominik Bokk from the Löwen Frankfurt after the success at the Olympic bronze medalist. “It was a step in the right direction.” Even without NHL professional JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabers, who will be joining the squad next week, and the players from champion EHC Red Bull Munich and playoff finalist ERC Ingolstadt, the district team was extremely effective, especially on the offensive. The previous appearances of the DEB selection against the Czech Republic (2: 6 / 1: 5) and Austria (2: 0 / 2: 3) were not convincing.
Goalie Towers
Bokk scored for the third time in preparation for the World Cup. Former NHL pro Dominik Kahun (17th minute/55th) and Daniel Fischbuch (33rd) from Düsseldorfer EG were also successful. “The team really worked intensively in both directions for more than 60 minutes today, blocked shots and we were strong in the duels,” explained Kreis, emphasizing: “Of course the Slovaks created a few chances, but so did we. I think the result is absolutely fine.”
Goalkeeper Maximilian Franzreb also made sure of that. The 26-year-old keeper of the Fischtown Pinguins from Bremerhaven stood out with several brilliant saves and conceded only three goals in over 50 shots. “He actually won the game for us,” Bokk enthused about the goalie. “He did an excellent job.”
