Deutschland Cup, Day Three: some upsets and a great outcome

The last day of the Deutschland Cup is over. With the exception of Slovakia (with two losses), every other team had, before the last round, a record of one win and one loss, thus letting the situation still very indecisive. 

The first game, Switzerland against Slovakia, starts pretty well for the latter, which score already in the first period thanks to Andrej Stastny (Slovan Bratislava); the following period sees Tomas Marcinko (HC Dynamo Pardubice) score again, with an absolute predominance of the Slovaks over Switzerland. The many offensive, defensive and conduct errors cost the Swiss dearly, with a high number of penalties inflicted to them by the referees. Simon Moser (SC Bern) is especially insubordinate on ice, receiving a full suspension at the end of the second fraction of play. Vladimir Dravecky (Ocelari Trinec) and Eduard Sedivy (HC Kosice) then score the last two goals, killing every residual hope for Switzerland in a really one-sided game. The relative inexperience of this Slovak side has been already pointed out in the previous reports, but it is just an inexperience in terms of international play: most of its players are currently serving under KHL, Czech Extraliga or Slovak Extraliga teams, thus earning a considerable experience in terms of skills and stile that, unfortunately, the NLA is not always eager to offer. 

The last game sees the home team against the US, and it is immediately a German avalanche: Dominik Kahun (Red Bull München), Patrick Hager, and Philipp Gogulla (both Kölner Haie). score three goals to none. Gogulla confirms himself as an enormous player, possibily among the best of the whole tournament. In the second period, Tim Stapleton (EHC Biel) scores for Team USA, but Germany strikes back with David Wolf (Hamburg Freezers). Another American goal come with Ryan Stoa (Metallurg Novokuznetsk). In the final period, Wolf scores again, with Germany winning 5-2 and being the ultimate champion of the tournament. That said, it should be borne in mind how the German team was pretty much at full strenght, this being not the case of the US or, to say, of Slovakia. Still, the Germans have shown a great improvement compared to their last World Championship's appearance, which is no doubt a good sign for the future.

Deutschland Cup in Augsburg November 6-8

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