Giant Killers: Germany defeats Russia

Germany came back from a goal down and won the game. Marcel Kurth scored two goals, including the winning tally. These are the first three points for Team Germany in preliminary Group B, moving them into a four-way tie.

This game between two big countries started with good pressure from the Russians. Not as talented as the Russians, the Germans sometimes had to bend the rules to keep them in check, and as a result took some early penalties. However, the Russians didn´t take advantage of their power plays and eventually there was a penalty on their side. Germany couldn’t score either, so there was still no goal on either side.

But then the first goal came. Russian Valeri Nichushkin scored 9:13 into the first period, beating Marvin Cupper with an easy shot after a great pass from a teammate. Cupper was starting in the German goal instead of Patrick Klein, who gave up eight goals in the game against Sweden.

Team Russia held a wide edge in play over the Germans, who were unable to penetrate the strong Russian defence. In the 18th minute there was a breakaway led by German Frederik Tiffels, who scored to tie the game. Then something unexpected and surprising came. The underdogs in this match, Team Germany, managed to score another goal with only 12 seconds left on the clock in the first period. His power play goal was scored by Marcel Kurth.

In the second period, Team Germany started to skate faster and was a better team on the ice. Sven Ziegler had a few chances in the first five minutes of the second period, but Russian goalie Andrei Vasilevski made some good saves.

Finally, the Germans had an opportunity on the power play after Alexei Filippov took a hooking penalty, and they capitalized. On a breakaway, Marcel Kurth beat Vasilevski over the pad to make it 3-1 for Team Germany.

The Russians were not finished, however, and had another chance on the power play, and in the very last second the advantage they managed to score. Bogdan Yakimov shot a one-timer from the blueline and the puck found its way into the net. Now with the momentum, the Russians were active and really wanted to score another goal, but goalie Cupper wouldn´t allow this and made a few really good saves.

The Russians were better at the beginning of the third period, but they couldn’t score a goal. The game was interesting from both sides and the Russians were not able to equalize. In the 54th minute, Filippov got another penalty, and the Germans scored another power-play goal. Tim Bender managed to beat the goalie from close range.

After that, the Russians didn’t even manage to get back into the attacking zone, and Vasilevski wasn’t able to get to the bench because of good defensive play from the Germans.

“The difference between this game and the game against Latvia was huge, because the Germans started the game with good shooting and scored four goals,” said Russian first-line centre Bogdan Yakimov afterward.

”We deserved to win because of our great performance. It was a tough game, but we fought for each other and made it,” commented German forward Marcel Kurth.