Germany had their first tune-up game today in Crimmitschau against Norway. They beat them 3:0 thanks to 3 2nd period goals by Wolf, Rankel and Gawlik.
In my opinion Gawlik was the best player on the ice. I also liked the Lewandowski-Barta-Kreutzer line: good forechecking. The defensive pairing of C Braun and Justin Krueger (didn't know the guy) also did a very good job. Kotschnew with an easy shutout.
Other than Krueger no players from North America were there and potential players from the 4 DEL semifinalists (Greilinger, Reiss, Endras, Ficenec, Hospelt, Bakos) were still missing of course.
I was there. We finally played a game the way we need to: hard work along the boards, good defensive positioning, always moving and going to the net. I agree about Gawlik, the guy seemed dangerous every time he got the puck.
Krueger just graduated from Cornell, I didn't expect him to make the team that fast (if ever) but he didn't look out of place at all. There's some big young defensemen coming up with Reul and Holzer also in the mix.
Oh and that Scooter song is unbelievably wicked awful.
And i really think, Lewandowski should get his last chance in the national team. I am big fan of Christoph Gawlik, so i hope he will stay at the team. Sad that he had so many unjuries especially at the draft time.
And i really think, Lewandowski should get his last chance in the national team. I am big fan of Christoph Gawlik, so i hope he will stay at the team. Sad that he had so many unjuries especially at the draft time.
Yeah, he really picked the "right" time for his injuries in at least two consecutive years, and not just minor injuries.
Before his injuries I was sure he would get drafted despite his lack of size. If he could have made it to the NHL is another story and personally I think he probably wouldn't have, but his talent was no less than Gogulla's.
Last edited by Maverick41: 04-19-2010 at 05:59 AM.
Krupp cut Reul and Kink from the team and added Hospelt and Fischer from Wolfsburg as well as Greilinger and, sadly, Bakos from Ingolstadt. I can't believe that Bakos still hasn't played himself off the team.
He also threw Pätzold out of the National team. Krupp said that Endras is gonna get nominated for sure and he only wants to cut one guy out of Ehelechner, Kotschnew and Zepp.
Ficenec is innjured so no WC for him. I think Busch is definately out too.
Would be great, if Christopher Fischer will take the chance. What about Constantin Braun?
should have good chances because of his PP ability.
but it's justin krueger i want. the years in college helped him to develop in all areas. finally krupp did something right to invite him. the next step is to nominate him for the WC.
no paetzold, no ficenec...make it no bakos too and a medal is possible.
Would be great, if Christopher Fischer will take the chance. What about Constantin Braun?
For now he is on the team, and he scored 2 goals in the second game against Norway, that probably didn't hurt his chances.
I think he came back strong after his injury played a good season. Also he is a versatile player who can play Forward as well as Defense. Hopefully Krupp will give him a shot.
You can probably not achieve much without any experienced players, but I'd really like to see guys Marcel Müller, Holzer, Gawlik, Braun, Fischer and mayber 3 or 4 more of that kind on the team.
There would still be room for guys that provide, leadership, experience and hopefully also skill.
should have good chances because of his PP ability.
but it's justin krueger i want. the years in college helped him to develop in all areas. finally krupp did something right to invite him. the next step is to nominate him for the WC.
no paetzold, no ficenec...make it no bakos too and a medal is possible.
What about Schmidt, he is not on the team is he? Please tell me he is not.
What about Schmidt, he is not on the team is he? Please tell me he is not.
so far he is. osterloh is too.
but the problem is that you cannot take 6-8 young Ds.
fischer, braun, krueger, holzer, hoerdler, baxmann might be a bit too inexperienced. so 1-3 of bakos, osterloh, schmidt, butenschon will make it i guess.
but the problem is that you cannot take 6-8 young Ds.
fischer, braun, krueger, holzer, hoerdler, baxmann might be a bit too inexperienced. so 1-3 of bakos, osterloh, schmidt, butenschon will make it i guess.
Your probably right. I have no problem with Butenschön but the other three give me headaches.
I want Goc!!!!!
Michael Bakos told the newspaper "Mannheimer Morgen" that he's out for the WC with an injury.
I bet the Team Germany fans on this board will be very disappointed...
Michael Bakos told the newspaper "Mannheimer Morgen" that he's out for the WC with an injury.
I bet the Team Germany fans on this board will be very disappointed...
I know it is not nice to be happy because someone is injured. But I kind of am.
However I hope it's not too bad and wish Bakos a speedy recovery, you know just so he is healthy again as soon as the WC is over.
I know it is not nice to be happy because someone is injured. But I kind of am.
However I hope it's not too bad and wish Bakos a speedy recovery, you know just so he is healthy again as soon as the WC is over.
Kotschnew, Endras and Zepp are probably going to be the goalies for the tournament. So no Ehelechner.
The only player from the new champion Hannover could be Nicolai Goc. So no Dolak, Boos or Kathan. and no Olver from Augsburg. Given their current shape all 4 players would probably raise Germany's quality level.
Krupp cut Reul and Kink from the team and added Hospelt and Fischer from Wolfsburg as well as Greilinger and, sadly, Bakos from Ingolstadt. I can't believe that Bakos still hasn't played himself off the team.
If Bakos makes this team instead of Andy Reiss or Patrick Köppchen, then I've gotta believe that politics, and only politics (whatever they may be), have ultimately made that decision!
Schubert doesn't seem to be an option for Krupp. He might still be injured too.
I think Schubert is still injured, though I am not entirely sure.
However, I was wondering about the goalies Krupp is gonna pick.
Right now there seem to be 4 candidates: Zepp, Endras, Kotschnew and Pätzold, or did I miss anyone?
Any ideas who'll be in goal? From what I've heard Kotschnew played pretty well against Switzerland, despite the losses. Could he be our number one goalie, or will Krupp share the starts in the group stage among the goalies to determine the number one for the next stage?
However, I was wondering about the goalies Krupp is gonna pick.
Right now there seem to be 4 candidates: Zepp, Endras, Kotschnew and Pätzold, or did I miss anyone?
paetzold? he didn't get an invitation.
ehelechner is the 4th, but it seems that he's the frontrunner for being cut.
kotschnew, zepp, endras to WC. and my guess is that kotschnew will be starter.
We finally played a game the way we need to: hard work along the boards, good defensive positioning, always moving and going to the net. I agree about Gawlik, the guy seemed dangerous every time he got the puck. 
