Despite a hole in the ice: Germany clearly defeats Norway at the Ice Hockey World Championship

NHL star Tim Stützle assisted, and Germany completed its next mandatory task at the Ice Hockey World Championship despite a hole in the ice. With a 5-2 (2-1, 2-0, 1-1) victory against Norway, the national team remains on course for the quarterfinals with its third win in three games at the World Championships in Denmark and Sweden. World-class striker Stützle put in a decent first performance, but still has room for improvement ahead of the classic match against arch-rivals Switzerland on Thursday (4:20 p.m./ProSieben and Magentasport).

"He should play his game," national coach Harold Kreis told ProSieben shortly before the game about Stützle. After just a half-hour training session on Monday morning, the Ottawa Senators attacker quickly demonstrated his strengths, almost three years after his last World Cup appearance. He skillfully set up Yasin Ehliz's opening goal and also provided the assist for Fredrik Tiffels' fifth German goal in the final minute.

The Norwegians tried to be tough, especially against the exceptional German players. Stützle and captain Moritz Seider were checked into the boards several times, but appeared unfazed. "We can also play physically," said Stützle after the first intermission. However, things got pretty bad at the end. When the game seemed to be decided, the Norwegians' dirty fouls piled up, much to the annoyance of the German national team.

The Northern Europeans came into the game better, but were countered: Despite being outnumbered, Mannheim's Marc Michaelis increased the lead to 2-0 after a pass from Ehliz (17').

A hole in the ice then shortened the first period. With 3:27 minutes left before the first intermission, all players were sent to the locker rooms. "I've never seen anything like this," Stützle remarked. Play continued for the remainder of the period after the surface was repaired and prepared.

Norway made much better use of the break. Another German player, Seider, was sent to the penalty box. Andreas Martinsen seized the opportunity and reduced the deficit to 1:2 (20th minute). NHL goalie Philipp Grubauer of the Seattle Kraken made several brilliant saves after a quick change of ends to prevent the equalizer.

Within two minutes, Wojciech Stachowiak (25th) and Joshua Samanski (27th) calmed the approximately 1,000 fans in the Herning Exhibition Hall. Once again, the team's playing strength was demonstrated in the World Cup tournament with a 4-1 victory by the upcoming NHL pro, Samanski. Lukas Reichel of the Chicago Blackhawks perfectly utilized the new teammate of superstar Leon Draisaitl at the Edmonton Oilers. The 23-year-old scored easily.

The once again very agile Reichel was unlucky. The attacker had to leave the ice early after being checked into the boards. The 22-year-old has made a strong impression in the tournament so far, not only with one goal and three assists.

In the final period, Norway narrowed the deficit to 2-4 through Jacob Berglund (48th minute). Stützle missed his first goal in the closing stages when his backhand shot was cleared off the line. Tiffels, however, finally found the empty Norwegian net. Goalie Grubauer, however, also had to show his skills from time to time. Despite their third World Cup victory, the German national team still needs to improve in their matches against the top nations of Switzerland, the USA, and the world champions Czech Republic.