Champagne was over

While all Canadian fans are spreading along the streets of Montreal to celebrate the great victory against eternal rival USA, an empty Bell Centre hosts the last game of the preliminary round. Closing a disappointing tournament, Finland pinches the first victory sending Germany to relegation round against Switzerland. This is the only good news for coach Jortikka: his team will face now Sweden.

The game ignites after three minutes, when a sharp shot by Julius Honka finds the right angle beating goalie Kevin Reich. Same Honka tries to double the score at 7 but Reich rebound a well prepared shot in the first power play. Germany is willing but as in the other games the difference with the other teams is huge on the ice: the first shot – a long range missile by Jonas Muller - comes after 16 minutes and it’s celebrated by fans on the stands as a goal, meanwhile goalie Reich had to face 16 tentative by Finnish forwards.

Fans on the stands try to find something more interesting outside the ice

In the second period Germany shows a bit more of bravery, trying to create some chances. Finland continues to dominate in shots on goal and has the best chance at 25:06 when Mikko Rantanen misses a penalty shot for an holding. The TPS Turku forward redeem himself at 34:22 deflecting a shot from the blue by Jonas Lyytinen with no chances for Reich. With 40 seconds to go, Antti Kalapudas clumsily misses the last touch after a good combination. A shot by Markus Eisenschmid blocked by Ville Husso closed the period.

Mikko Rantanen scored the 2nd goal

Also the last period has few moments to remember: Finland is stronger than opponent but shirt-tail from the team that conquer the world last year, Germany definitely the weakest team in the group and will have a tough task against Switzerland to stay in the elite division. In the last 20 minutes can be noticed: a deflection by Husso on a shot from Jonas Muller, an incredible mistake by Puljujarvi at inches from the goal line, a very good save by Husso on Tiffels and another by his colleague Reich on Puljujarvi on powerplay and finally a couple of dangerous shots by Germany during a power play. In the last two minutes bravely Germany pulls out the goalie but with no success. Game over and Finland to face Sweden.

MVP: Kevin Reich – Julius Honka 

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