Four games, four defeats – Germany’s ice hockey team still reveals some weaknesses in preparing for the World Cup. Finding squads is a headache for national coach Söderholm.
Nuremberg (dpa) – The selection of personnel for the Ice Hockey World Championship in Riga is difficult in just three weeks. After his fourth defeat in the fourth World Cup Test against the Czech Republic (4: 5), national coach Tony Soderholm spoke to the team this year with some wrinkles on his forehead.
He said, ‘There are players who have suffered a lot of mental stress this year. You have to accept that, “said Soderholm about his interactions with the World Cup candidates:” I have no problem if a player can’t help us. Then it is like that. “
Finn, 43, indicated that Adler Mannheim and ERC Ingolstadt, who had failed in the semi-finals of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL), would also be ruled out: “We have to be prepared for the fact – not all of them have the power. “On the other hand, national team captain Moritz Muller once again made a fervent appeal. “I am really looking forward to the World Cup,” said the 34-year-old defender from Kollner High in Magentasport. “This is a very important sign that the World Cup is taking place. Ice hockey has to be on screen. “
Of course, not everyone sees it that way. Some people worry about their health and their family. EHC Red Bull Munich has already canceled four Olympic silver winners from 2018: Yasin Ehliz, Darryl Boyle, Yannick Seidenberg and Frank Mouer. In the epidemic, there appears to be some that may propel themselves to the World Cup in the bubble. Last year, the DEL season began to be postponed twice and with several games within a short span of time, many players suffered mentally.
On the one hand, it makes sense for Söderholm and the German Ice Hockey Federation (DEB). “I have the greatest respect for all who have played the World Cup after this season,” said DEB President Franz Rindle. But it also becomes a problem for Söderholm. Because the current squad has done well in most of Slovakia’s previous games (after 3: 4 penalty shootout / 1: 2) and now against the Czech Republic (1: 4/4: 5), but also lost four times and one Number of detected weak points. “It’s good that these construction sites are opening now,” said Soderholm.
“There is an expectation that the boys will have a sense of accomplishment before the World Cup,” Finn said. The next opportunity to do so is in the final Test matches against Belarus on Friday and Saturday.
Improving traditional squads with players from North America is also difficult. In any case, only professionals who do not make it to the playoffs in the NHL are seriously eligible. Because after the last game of the season, they still need two or three days with their teams, this time they will have to go through a seven-day quarantine. The candidates will be Tim Stutzley (Ottawa), Mark Michaelis (Vancouver) or Tobias Rider (Buffalo). Should anyone in this group come to the World Cup, they may not be available until the third game against Canada in Riga on 24 May. This could also apply to top defender Moritz Cider, who at the latest will play in Sweden with Rogal BK until 15 May for the title.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210502-99-436478 / 2
