World Cup title: Canada prevents German sensation

Canada was crowned ice hockey world champion for the 28th time in Tampere. However, the NHL ensemble had to tremble a lot against the blatant outsiders from Germany.

28 May 2023

From: apa/fop

The ice hockey record world champion was fully challenged by outsiders Germany in the final on Sunday and was behind twice, but ultimately prevailed 5:2 (1:1,1:1,3:0). Samuel Blais with his second goal of the evening (45th) and Tyler Toffoli (52nd) made the decision in the final third.

For two thirds, surprise finalist Germany kept up at eye level. John Jason Peterka put the DEB team ahead 1-0 (8th), the NHL striker from the Buffalo Sabers scored after a perfect long pass from star defender Moritz Seider. Thanks to Blais, the Canadians quickly equalized (11th).

The Germans weren't impressed by this, Daniel Fischbuch (34th) took the lead again. In their first power play, the Canadians managed to get the tie level again through Lawson Crouse (38th).

Daniel Fischbuch had meanwhile given Germany a 2-1 lead. © APA/afp / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

In the final third, however, the class of team boss Andre Torigny's team, which almost exclusively consisted of experienced NHL players, prevailed. Blais from the St. Louis Blues and captain Tyler Toffoli from the Calgary Flames on the counterattack made the Canadians' success perfect. Scott Laughton fixed the final score with a shot into the empty goal.

First German World Cup medal since 1953

Germany narrowly failed to win its first major title, but won its seventh medal at a major event after World Cup silver in 1930 and 1953 as well as Olympic silver in 2018 and bronze in 1932 (Olympics/World Cup), 1934 (World Cup) and 1976 (Olympia). And that despite the fact that team boss Harold Kreis had 15 top performers withdraw before the World Cup due to injuries. After three narrow defeats at the start of the tournament, they fought their way into the knockout rounds with four wins, eliminated Switzerland, who were sovereign in the group phase, and prevailed against the US team in the semi-finals. But the really big coup didn't work.

In the afternoon, the second surprise team of the tournament won a historic bronze medal in Finland and Latvia. In front of thousands of their own fans, Latvia defeated the USA 4-3 after extra time in the small final and thus won its first-ever World Cup medal.