Canada blanked also Germany

Twelve games played so far between Canada and Germany and twelve victories for the hockey country, including a 15-1, 10-0 and 12-0: welcome to a classic David vs Goliath. Equipped with sticks and not slings the Germany debut at WJC 2015 couldn’t be more difficult for the Pat Cortina boys who certainly won’t have tonight the points to avoid relegation,  possibly the best result for newly promoted Germany. With Green Bay Gamblers goalie Kevin Reich in the net, - Canada has Eric Comrie as announced - Germany suddenly tackles the power of Canadian forwards. Reich makes some saves, mainly on Lazar, but in the first power play has to surrender to Connor McDavid, - at his first goal of the tournament - clever and stubborn in putting the stick in a mess action in front of the net. Germany has the first shot on Comrie net after 10 minutes on a power play. Canada wastes a one-to-one chance with Max Domi coming out from the sin bin before to receive another penalty – out Nick Ritchie – that allows Germany to have another chance with a shot by Frederik Tiffels, deflected by Comrie. Second power-play for Canada and second goal, scored at 12.42 by Curtis Lazar, finishing with an one-timer a perfect tic-tac-toe with Nic Petan and McDavid. In the last second of the first period Patrick Kurz pinches the puck from the goal, avoiding a third celebration in the stands of Bell Centre.

After two minutes in the second period Lazar has a good chance on a Reich rebound but it doesn’t finish with a goal. In the middle of the Canadian monologue, Germany has a couple of chances with Marc Schmidpeter and Parker Tuomie, both deflected by Comrie and a power play not very well played. At 26, after a period with no emotions, the first real save by Comrie, ready to close the door on  Marc Michaelis in a one-to-one. At the end of period Canada has another power play but the speed and the precision of hosts decreased, so Germany can close ranks in front of Reich nullifying the predictable attempts.

In the last period Canada starts pressuring Germany in the defensive zone but all the efforts produce at least one “serious” shot – by Sam Reinhart – in the first 5 minutes. Canada is not brilliant and nervous so Germany tries to take advantage with a power play and despite a tentative by Fredrik Gauthier well deflected by Reich. German goalie makes a great save on McDavid shot at 50, but 50 seconds after cannot do anything when a stray puck lands on Max Domi stick for an easy deflection. At 52 Nic Petan wraps around Reich but succeeds in hitting the post with the goal open. Again Petan is the maker of fourth goal at 55:44, well preparing the final shot by Madison Bowey. Nick Paul and Reinhart waste big chances before the last two minutes, with a chance also for Germany with Fabio Pfohl closing a game that Canada won - and could not be otherwise – but in a less “arrogant” way than the other night. Germany, all things considered, has a fair debut in an impossible game and could battle to stay in the elite.

Max Domi scoring the third goal

In the mixed zone goalie Kevin Reich is objective: “we knew it was almost impossible to win tonight but, considering what happened yesterday with Slovakia, I think we can be optimistic about the future of our tournament, we played well”

“it’s a pleasure playing with these guys, everything becomes easy” commented defender Madison Bowey, a goal tonight.

Despite the passion for hockey, Bell Centre had second not-sold-out due to high prices of tickets

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