The German national ice hockey team also lost the second game of the World Cup preparation against the Czech Republic. The vice world champion lost 2:4 (1:1, 0:3, 1:0) in the spa town of Karlsbad, after losing the first duel at the same place on Thursday 0:3.
On Tuesday, national coach Harold Kreis’ team will meet in Augsburg for the start of phase two, in which they will face Slovakia twice. Haie striker Justin Schütz (18th) initially took the flattering lead for the selection of the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) in the power play, but the Czechs countered immediately. Just 23 seconds later, Radan Lenc (19th) scored the equalizer after a nice combination.
Czech Republic pulls away
The guests pulled away in the second third. Petr Kodytek (26th), Andrej Sustr (32nd) from the Kölner Haien and Michal Kovarcik (40th) made it 4:1. After a strong individual performance, Schwenningen’s Alexander Karachun (59th) rounded off the match with his fifth international goal.
“It was clear in both games that we still have a lot of work to do,” said DEB defender Moritz Müller: “We have to play faster and think faster at this level. Nevertheless, the week was fun and we’re looking forward to it Phase two.”
After the Czech Republic double, which marks the first World Cup preparation phase, six more test matches will follow. The dress rehearsal will finally take place on May 6th against France in Weißwasser before the DEB team travels from there to the World Cup venue in Ostrava.
World Cup: May 10th to 26th
At the World Cup in Prague and Ostrava (May 10th to 26th), Germany will face the USA, Sweden, Slovakia, Latvia, France, Kazakhstan and Poland in the group phase.
