Ice Breaking Victory: DEB's Unconventional Win Against Norway
"Rare victory": DEB team secures unusual World Cup game win
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The German ice hockey team, boasting NHL superstar Tim Stützle, continued their winning streak at the 2025 IIHF World Championship - even on subpar ice. In their third preliminary round game against Norway, they clinched a 5-2 (2-1, 2-0, 1-1) victory, with Stützle adding two assists to his scoring record.
With nine points, the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB) team tops the table going into the World Championship classic on Thursday (16:20 / ProSieben and MagentaSport) against arch-rival Switzerland. The encounter with the reigning world champion marks the start of tougher tasks in the preliminary round, including matches against the USA and defending champions Czech Republic [1].
A Hole in the Story
The match against Norway was far from ordinary, as a significant chunk of ice slipped off the boards, forcing the teams to retreat to the locker rooms before the scheduled interval. This wasn't the first time the Jyske Bank Boxen's ice quality had been questioned, with players voicing concerns about the rink's condition. Stützle, interviewed by ProSieben, expressed his surprise, "I've never seen anything like this. I sure hope we have good ice makers." The event caused a delayed restart, with the German fans voicing their dissatisfaction with the Norwegians, chanting "You're only breaking the ice!" [3]
Stützle's Shining Debut
Stützle, fresh off the playoff exit with the Ottawa Senators, made an immediate impact, setting up the opening goal with a precise pass. As a mark of his tenacity, Stützle also delivered a firm check, sending his opponent crashing into the boards.
Yasin Ehliz, Marc Michaelis, Wojciech Stachowiak, and Joshua Samanski netted goals for the German team. In a challenging game, they demonstrated remarkable resilience, a testament to their skill and unity. Norway's only strong responses came from Anger Myrin's goal and a powered shot by Jacob Berglund [2].
Unfortunately, Lukas Reichel sustained an injury in the second period and was unable to return. Kreis, the team's coach, decided to give Leo Pföderl a break during this tight schedule, opting to call up Berlin-based defender Eric Mik and Jonas Müller, who celebrated his 100th appearance for the DEB [1].
- World Championships
- Ice Hockey
- Norway
The unconventional victory of DEB against Norway in the preliminary round of the 2025 IIHF World Championship, despite the poor ice conditions, showcases the resilience and unity of the youth and sport-focused German team, skating towards the World Championship classic against Switzerland. Known for its vibrant community and stars like Tim Stützle, the German team excelled in hockey, with Stützle adding two assists and setting up the opening goal, despite the recent playoff exit with the Ottawa Senators.
