Germany finally clinched their first victory at the Ice Hockey World Championships in Denmark in their fourth game, giving them the chance to reach the quarter-finals. The team of national coach Marco Sturm won against outsiders South Korea with 6:1.
This gives Germany a five-point lead over the pointless Olympic hosts and has nothing to do with the relegation for the time being. Nevertheless, the silver medal winner from Pyeongchang against Latvia and the strong Finns and Canadians will probably need two more victories to reach the quarter-finals.
Goals: 1:0 Draisaitl (11.), 2:0 Ehliz (21.), 3:0 Hager (30.), 4:0 Tiffels (35.), 5:0 Ehliz (49.), 6:0 Seidenberg (53.), 6:1 Radunske (58.)
Penalties: 28 – 18
Against the Koreans, who competed with six naturalized Canadians, the storm team had a hard time in the beginning, with the first majority of the match providing the lead. Not even seven seconds were played in power play when Draisaitl scored, but his shot was deflected several times. The second goal was also scored in excess, Ehliz poked the target over the line.
After that Germany had the game under control, which took place almost only before South Korea’s goalie Matt Dalton (36 saves). In Germany, Niklas Treutle was in goal, but it was only in the final phase that he really had something to do.
With a total of 42 shots on goal, Germany also did something for the goal difference in the end, but the task against Latvia on Saturday (12.15 pm) will be much harder.