Germany 2 – USA 1 : Endras Is Excellent
Iserlohn Roosters forward MICHAEL WOLF (16) and Hannover Scorpions defenseman NIKOLAI GOC (77) celebrate Germany's opening goal of the match five minutes into the second period against the United States at the converted Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen. (DPA photo)
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On his debut at a major international for his country in front of a world-record audience, goaltender DENNIS ENDRAS certainly had himself an evening to remember.
The Augsburg Panthers puck stopper piled up 31 saves and American Hockey League forward FELIX SCHUETZ of the Portland Pirates produced a Blitztor just 21 seconds into overtime as host nation GERMANY defeated the UNITED STATES 2-1 in the opening match of the 2010 IIHF World Championships at Gelsenkirchen.
Endras was on the German national squad for last year’s World Championships in Switzerland as well as this winter’s Winter Olympic Games from Vancouver but did not play in a match at either tournament; the 24-year-old got the call from head coach UWE KRUPP to stand in the German net before the record-setting 77,803 spectators in the game against the United States staged at the VELTINS-ARENA, which is normally a football (soccer) stadium.
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Veteran international MICHAEL WOLF of Iserlohn Roosters (16), despite the close-checking of United States forward TIM KENNEDY (13) of the Buffalo Sabres, whips the puck past Florida Panthers goalie SCOTT CLEMMENSEN (30) in the American cage to give Germany a 1-0 lead in the second period at Gelsenkirchen. (DPA photo)
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Germany were always content to absorb United States pressure and play for the counterattack; the Americans outshot the Germans for the game, 32-20.
The Germans went into a bit of a shell to start the third which helped RYAN CARTER (Minn-Mankato State) of the Anaheim Ducks finally tie the game for the United States eight and a half minutes into the final period.
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United States forward RYAN CARTER (22) muscles the puck past German goaltender DENNIS ENDRAS in the third period of the preliminary round Group D match at the Veltins-Arena. (Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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Even though the United States brought a young sqaud, there was still plenty of experience on hand for head coach SCOTT GORDON. All but two of the American players at Gelsenkirchen skated the majority of their season in the National Hockey League; most of the United States sqaud are NHL regulars.
To contrast, Germany have just one NHL player competing — 26-year-old team captain MARCEL GOC of the Nashville Predators.
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German forward KAI HOSPELT (18) of Wolfsburg Grizzly Adams, a one-time 7th round selection (2003, # 216 overall) of the San Jose Sharks, advances on American defenseman TAYLOR CHORNEY (41) of the Edmonton Oilers during the opening game of the 2010 IIHF World Championships in Germany. (DPA photo)
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The 22-year-old Schuetz, one of four AHL skaters in the German line-up, put the puck past Florida Panthers’ 32-year old goaltender SCOTT CLEMMENSEN less than half a minute into overtime to delight the home Volk and secure the host nation two valuable points in Group D at this year’s World Championships.
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Germany forward FELIX SCHUETZ signals his goal 21 seconds into overtime on his debut at a major international tournament in front of United States defenseman KEITH YANDLE (93) of the Phoenix Coyotes at the Veltins-Arena. (Ina Fassbender/Reuters)
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Germany national team head coach UWE KRUPP collected what was, by far, his most significant Sieg; it has been 17 years since the Germans last defeated the Americans (Dortmund, 1993) at the annual IIHF World tournament. (DPA photo)