Surprise continues in the opening round of the Ice Hockey World Championship. Team Canada also lost their third group game in 1: 3 (1: 2.0: 0.0: 1) against Germany on Monday evening and recorded their worst start to the World Cup so far. The Germans wrestled the representatives of the homeland of ice hockey in a dramatic battle and celebrated their third victory in the third group game with their first win in 25 years against the “Ahornblatter” (5: 1, 1996 in Vienna).
Earlier in Group A, the record world champion Russia suffered a defeat against Slovakia in Riga for the first time after 1: 3 (0: 0.1: 1.0: 2). For the six-time title holder Slovakia, which is clearly on its way to the quarter-finals with three wins from three matches, it was the first World Cup win against Russia in 17 years.
Russia won their first two games unlike other top countries. Sweden, Czech Republic and Canada started the tournament with a surprise two-two defeat. Defending champion Finland had already embarrassed themselves in a 3–2 penalty shootout against Kazakhstan.
Reinforcement is already under way for Russia. After the NHL ends in the play-offs, St. Louis Blues striker Vladimir Tarasenko as well as goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov and Washington Capitals defender Dmitry Orlo travel to Latvia. Superstar Alexander Ovetskin, who has been ill for the past few weeks, is also not participating in the tournament. Newcomers may not immediately go on the ice, but must first be quarantined and tested for six days before being allowed to play.
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