Many national players are missing: German ice hockey cracks are defeated by Slovakia

Many national players are missing
German ice hockey cracks are subject to Slovakia

The German national ice hockey team improves in the test match against Slovakia, but cannot prevent defeat. The many missing national players are noticeable – and there is not much time left until the start of the World Cup.

Two weeks before the start of the World Cup, the weakened German national ice hockey team had to accept a setback. In Dresden, the team of national coach Toni Söderholm lost 1: 3 (0: 3, 1: 0, 0: 0) against the World Cup preliminary round opponent Slovakia.

The weak first third with three goals conceded was ultimately decisive. Only then did the hosts improve. Alexander Ehl’s goal (22nd minute) was far too little against a selection from Olympic bronze medalist Slovakia for the third win in the fifth preparatory game. With a different cast, the selection of the German Ice Hockey Federation at the Olympic Games in Beijing lost the qualifying game for the quarterfinals 0:4 against Slovakia. The Slovaks then secured bronze.

Söderholm also had to do without the ailing former NHL striker Dominik Kahun in the first of two friendlies in this third preparatory phase. Due to the ongoing final series in the German Ice Hockey League with the top teams Berlin and Munich, the coach is missing a number of national players.

Players from Adler Mannheim, for whom the season ended on Thursday evening, could join the team in Schwenningen next week at the earliest. “There are numerous players who still want to play the World Cup. But there are also players who have already finished the season,” said national coach Söderholm about the difficult planning before the game at MagentaSport.

A second friendly against the Slovaks is scheduled for Saturday (5:00 p.m.). The World Championships in Söderholm’s homeland of Finland begin on May 13th.

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