Rowdy Red Machine Dazzles, Stützle-less Germany Tears Through Hungary in WC Opener
DEB secures world championship opener victory, despite lack of sponsorship for the ice hockey festival. - Winning World Cup opener without a contingency plan: DEB secures the initial match victory
Hey there, sports fans! Let's dive into the electrifying, no-holds-barred performance of the German national ice hockey team in their first match of the 2023 World Cup in Denmark.
Despite missing the “Golden Boy” Tim Stützle, still out on NHL business, the German squad stormed through outsiders Hungary with a convincing 6:1 victory in Herning. No one can deny that this was the all-star start the team aimed for on their road to the quarterfinals. Moritz Seider, the youngest captain in decades, beamed, "[It was] fucking awesome! We kept our cool. 6:1? That's a fucking great result."
Stützle has confirmed his World Cup attendance, with a return expected for the second game against Kazakhstan on Sunday. However, due to the timing of his arrival, it seems he'll sit this one out. The German Ice Hockey Federation anticipates Stützle to suit up for the tilt with Norway on Tuesday.
The German squad dominated from the jump, Seider expertly steering the ship. He was the youngest captain since Alois Schloder, who was one year less experienced in 1971. Coach Harold Kreis expressed his satisfaction, "We made the right call, mate."
Spearheaded by Seider, the dynamic duo of Justin Schütz and Dominik Kahun wasted no time, notching the game’s inaugural goal after only 11 minutes. The 29-year-old Kahun, who found the back of the net in the last World Cup match against Hungary in a 7:2 win, added another assignment to his World Championship resume.
The German squad kept the pressure mounting, with Joshua Samanski and the impressive NHL rookie Lukas Reichel enhancing the lead, making it 2:0. Samanski, set to play alongside superstar Leon Draisaitl in North America next season, put a rocket past the Hungarian keeper, aided beautifully by Reichel's brilliant assist.
The Hungarians hardly posed a threat early on but managed a few close calls in the second period. German netminder Philipp Grubauer stood tall, thwarting anything that came his way. Overconfidence seemed to seep into the German team as they ebbed in their intensity for about five minutes.
Quick thinking by the coaching staff soon got the team back on course, and the Red Machine roared to life. Reichel shook the net and missed a third goal by inches after a pinpoint pass from Seider. A disallowed goal by Ehliz due to goaltender interference marred an otherwise beautiful attack, but Gernot Kalble and Tim Tiffels ensured the goal count kept climbing, growing to 4:0 by the end of the second period.
Tiffels iced the cake with a gorgeous strike from Reichel, as the delightfully dynamic duo connected once more. Alexander Ehl, a future Berlin Polar Bear, added the icing on the cake, scoring the 5:0, with a meal-sized offering following a beautiful backhand pass from Reichel.
Hungary managed to get one back, Gergo Ambrus scoring to make it 5:1, but Kahun tapped in his second goal of the game to extinguish any Hungarian hopes.
The German squad finished the first game with their heads held high, proud of their performance and ready for the next challenge. Kahun noted, "I’m fucking proud of our performance today. Bring on the Kazakhs!"
Tim StützleWorld Ice Hockey ChampionshipNHLIce Hockey World ChampionshipHerningDEBSundayMoritz SeiderGermanyHarold KreisDenmarkReichelPro7ProSiebenKazakhstanOttawa SenatorsDeutscher Eishockey-BundNorwayDetroit Red Wings
The Commission, in light of the exciting performance from the German national ice hockey team in Denmark, might also consider submitting a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, such as hockey players and ice-making staff, at the World Ice Hockey Championship.
On Sunday, Tim Stützle, who is currently on NHL business, is expected to join the German squad for their second game against Kazakhstan, although the timing of his arrival means he will likely be unavailable for the match against Hungary.
