DEB team before decisive matches – first against USA

5 hours ago

Riga – Probably for the first time with NHL striker Dominic Cohen, the German national ice hockey team will face the United States at the World Cup in Riga today (3:15 pm / Game 1). This is the final preliminary round game, which is about participating in the quarterfinals.

Initial stage: After an angry World Cup start with three wins, Germany have recently come under pressure after losing two games in a row. For the minimum goal of the quarterfinals, points are urgently needed. In theory, a win against the United States after 60 minutes on Monday would be enough, but then Kazakhstan would have to lose against Norway as well. Otherwise there will be a final against hosts Latvia on Tuesday. In any case, each point is calculated. Achieving the extension against the United States is very valuable.

Advertisement: America only became world champions twice and although their last title was 61 years ago, they are still considered the best country in ice hockey. This year the team has almost entirely NHL players and is very talented, but no stars. With twelve points from five games, America is clear for the quarterfinals. The last German World Cup win against the US Boys came in the 2017 Domestic World Cup (2-1).

Staff: Dominic Cohen could play for Germany for the first time in this World Cup, and the talented Lucas Rachel could return. NHL striker Kahoon traveled to the Edmonton Oilers last week after the playoffs, and his mandatory isolation expires on Monday. If a PCR test turns negative in the morning, the 25-year-old will hit the United States – even 19-year-old Rachel. In the match against Kazakhstan last Wednesday (2: 3) Esperan Berlin’s attack missed 1: 2 against Finland on Saturday.

The sports director says: “It will be a very close match at eye level in which both teams will try to win. Small things will decide,” said Debb Sports Director Christian Conast.

Performance: The last opponent in the preliminary round is World Cup host Latvia on Tuesday (7.15pm / Sport 1). Then the game takes place in front of the audience. The Latvian parliament recently passed a resolution. Even if it is defeated by the United States, Germany will still have everything in its hands.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210530-99-799397 / 3