Against Russia, the German team in South Korea was on the verge of a sensation. Then Patrick Reimer had to burst in the overtime of the field and the dream of gold. He did a good job of processing it.
Patrick Reimer was unlucky at the Olympic Ice Hockey Final. Against Russia he had to leave the peloton in overtime, the favourites scored the Golden Gate to triumph. But he did a good job with the scene.
“We were equally strong. When we led 3-2, it was quite quiet on their bench. I still have this silence in my ear,”recalls Reimer, talking back in time to the final in Pyeongchang. The German team had long looked like the winner as a blatant outsider.
Then, however, Russia managed to equalise 55 seconds before the final whistle, and Reimer had to leave the pitch in overtime after a high sticking. The Russians took the chance to win in four against three:”You can hardly take the target from them if you outnumber them.”
Reimer realized quickly after his punishment that the defeat would come:”Then I sit there and think to myself, no, actually I know: It will be over soon. The Russians will take advantage of an overwhelming number, especially a 4:3 majority, because the advantage is even greater than usual.”
Accordingly, he felt “lonely” on the bench:”The goal comes as expected, but still hits me like a slap. I’m going to sit in the box for a long time, my head down. Huge disappointment, great emptiness in me.”
However, he does not reproach himself, nor does his comrades. After all, it’s clear:”Silver makes us proud for a lifetime. Russia goalkeeper legend Tretyak has called us worthy finalists in congratulations. You could tell it was meant honestly.”
Reimer does not hold a grudge against the referee either:”I am not a bad loser. In any case, we would have liked to have played the winner in equal numbers. We were by no means hit by the late equalization.”