Led by double goalscorer Marc Michaelis, vice world champion Germany won the World Cup test against Austria.
In the Olympic Ice Sports Center in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the stubborn team of national coach Harold Kreis won 4:2 (2:1, 0:1, 2:0) and took the fifth preparatory game to the season highlight in the Czech Republic on 10th. their second victory by May 26th.
In front of 5,058 spectators, the Germans once again showed their great potential on offense, but remained vulnerable in defense.
Michaelmas with a double whammy
Swiss legionnaire Michaelis from EV Zug put the runner-up world champion in the lead with two goals in the eighth and eleventh minutes. Benjamin Baumgartner (16th) and Lukas Kainz (38th) brought the Austrians back into the game. In the final third, Daniel Fischbuch (50th) and Parker Tuomie (52nd) gave the DEB selection a boost in mood.
The German squad, which should be complete by the middle of next week, is becoming increasingly clear. With strikers Yasin Ehliz and Maxi Kastner as well as goalkeeper Mathias Niederberger, three players from dethroned champions EHC Red Bull Munich joined the national team for the first time in preparation. Only Ehliz was in the starting six, while Tobias Ancicka from the Kölner Haien was allowed to start in goal.
Things are looking “very good” for an NHL trio
National coach Kreis can also count on reinforcements from North America. Things are looking “very good” for Nico Sturm (San Jose Sharks), JJ Peterka (Buffalo Sabres) and goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken), said sports director Christian Künast at Magentasport.
The situation with Moritz Seider, who is so important for the defense, is more complicated for insurance reasons because his contract with the Detroit Red Wings has expired. This is a “major undertaking,” admitted Künast. But there is “a very good exchange”.
Germany turns up the heat in the final third
After a short period of discovery, the Germans quickly played out from the back and, led by Michaelis, proved to be very effective. However, they always gave the Austrians a lot of space. Especially in the second third, the guests from the neighboring country had more of the game and also had a significant increase in chances. In the final round, however, the Germans showed all their grit and secured success.
They will play their second test against Austria on Saturday in Zell am See. Before the start of the World Cup on May 10th in Ostrava, the Germans want to get into medal shape in two games against France in Wolfsburg (May 4th) and in Weißwasser (May 6th).