GDT: Relegation: Germany vs. Kazakhstan; Jan. 2, 2025; 11:00 EST

[gitchiemanitou]

Feel for the Kazakhs. Refs with a ridiculous 'holding' call to get the Germans back in it.

 

[SoundAndFury]

There was a lot of hype about Norwegian teams but they were never as good as that Kazakhstan team. Their teams, even if they performed for 20' or 40' always cracked, went away sooner or later. Kazakhstan actually came back from a deficit vs Slovakia and they always play for 60'. They're playing hard and they have the skill to pull off some very nice plays. They won't go away easily today either. If the Germans wanna win they're gonna have to earn it.

This is as flimsy of an argument as I have ever seen.

I don't think Germany will get relegated to begin with because we are most likely overreacting to one bad period they had but last time they dropped down to D1A it took them 4 years to go back up because anyone can beat anyone there and frankly, pre-tournament favorites barely ever win there.

Sure it's easier now but Germany lost to Kazakhstan AND Latvia this year. What was seen as a pretty bad year for Latvians, too. It just doesn't make sense to claim they are head and shoulders above Norway or Denmark. I mean they lost 3-0 to Norway with no notable prospects to speak of during the Draisaitl years simply because in a single game anything can happen.

Anyway, like I said, by the time I finished this the game is tied an Germany is probably going to win it just as expected.

 

[Hinterland]

This is as flimsy of an argument as I have ever seen.

I don't think Germany will get relegated to begin with because we are most likely overreacting to one bad period they had but last time they dropped down to D1A it took them 4 years to go back up because anyone can beat anyone there and frankly, pre-tournament favorites barely ever win there.

Sure it's easier now but Germany lost to Kazakhstan AND Latvia this year. What was seen as a pretty bad year for Latvians, too. It just doesn't make sense to claim they are head and shoulders above Norway or Denmark. I mean they lost 3-0 to Norway with no notable prospects to speak of during the Draisaitl years simply because in a single game anything can happen.

Anyway, like I said, by the time I finished this the game is tied an Germany is probably going to win it just as expected.

Nothing is ever guaranteed but German hockey is trending in the right direction. DEL and DEL2 are getting stronger. That's the advantage they have over the competition down there. The Germans have some prospects overseas as well and looking at the current team, many of their top players are gonna be back for at least one more year. I like their chances in case they do get relegated.

 

[BigRangy]

There’s the make up call, let’s see what happens

 

[SoundAndFury]

Nothing is ever guaranteed but German hockey is trending in the right direction. DEL and DEL2 are getting stronger. That's the advantage they have over the competition down there. The Germans have some prospects overseas as well and looking at the current team, many of their top players are gonna be back for at least one more year. I like their chances in case they do get relegated.

Yes, in the long run, Germany is undoubtedly a better hockey country. But that's not how WJC works that's why Denmark was in the QFs 3 years in a row just to narrowly escape back-to-back relegations to D1B a few years later.

Therefore saying Germany would easily just pop right back up, despite having no real top-end talent in the forthcoming years, is sheer overconfidence.

On an unrelated note, not like it matters, but it's just fun to remember Germany beat Kazakhstan 4-0 in a pre-tournament friendly not even 2 weeks ago.

 

[Hinterland]

Yes, in the long run, Germany is undoubtedly a better hockey country. But that's not how WJC works that's why Denmark was in the QFs 3 years in a row just to narrowly escape back-to-back relegations to D1B a few years later.

Therefore saying Germany would easily just pop right back up, despite having no real top-end talent in the forthcoming years, is sheer overconfidence.

On an unrelated note, not like it matters, but it's just fun to remember Germany beat Kazakhstan 4-0 in a pre-tournament friendly not even 2 weeks ago.

Depth is often the difference in those games. Germany has plenty of depth. Germany has more than enough talent as well...even from this team some of the most gifted kids are gonna return for another year or two.

 

[ozo]

This will not be good for my heart.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

I'm not able to watch - but are the shots really 27-15 Kaz? That's pretty surprising, has it been that lopsided?

Feel bad for Germany, they played some really good hockey in the round robin. You could argue that the only reason they're in this predicament is because Canada lost to Latvia lol.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I'm not able to watch - but are the shots really 27-15 Kaz? That's pretty surprising, has it been that lopsided?

Feel bad for Germany, they played some really good hockey in the round robin. You could argue that the only reason they're in this predicament is because Canada lost to Latvia lol.

The lost to Latvia in OT so they would be in this game even if Latvia lost to Canada. Agree with you in general though. They didn’t look out matched most of the round robin. One bad game and it sets your program back a couple years.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

The lost to Latvia in OT so they would be in this game even if Latvia lost to Canada.

Yeah but I think you could make the case that Germany takes that OT a lot more seriously if there was actually something at stake. Not to mention them pulling their goalie when tied.

Agree with you in general though. They didn’t look out matched most of the round robin. One bad game and it sets your program back a couple years.

Yeah, tough group this year.

 

[SoundAndFury]

The lost to Latvia in OT so they would be in this game even if Latvia lost to Canada.

They lost to Latvia in OT because Latvia scored an empty netter when the game was tied.

 

[pgfan66]

It is.

It really isn’t. At least not at the junior level. Yes, the DEL and DEL2 are getting more and more competitive and young players eventually reach a high level. But through all junior age groups, Germany hasn’t improved at all over the past decade. All we had was a handful of good birthyears. The 05 and 06 groups are quite weak, 07 should be a lot deeper and stronger again. We’ll see what happens then.

Anyway, missing Kevin Bicker and Vadim Schreiner as two of the top 05s definitely hurts.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

They lost to Latvia in OT because Latvia scored an empty netter when the game was tied.

I mean the game was tied before they pulled the goalie in the first place. The entire end of that game obviously plays out differently if they both go into the game tied with 0 points…but it was a very evenly played game.

 

[SoundAndFury]

but it was a very evenly played game.

Shots were 39-22... It was a game where Latvia got pretty obviously outplayed and was saved by the goaltending (which was excellent throughout the tournament).

And yes, the game would have played out differently but chances are Germany would have won it if they had those 2 minutes of powerplay in the end without a gaping net behind them and the result in overtime actually meant anything to them.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Sumpf by the shot block. 4-3.. 3rd PP goal

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Shots were 39-22... It was a game where Latvia got pretty obviously outplayed and was saved by the goaltending (which was excellent throughout the tournament).

And yes, the game would have played out differently but chances are Germany would have won it if they had those 2 minutes of powerplay in the end without a gaping net behind them and the result in overtime actually meant anything to them.

Guess we will never know what would have happened lol

 

[ozo]

You live by the goaltending, you die by the goaltending.

 

[SoundAndFury]

You live by the goaltending, you die by the goaltending.

Nikitin has been pretty sieve-like. Is this the end of the legend that has been the best Kazakh goalie prospect* ever? Because other than his international performances, the dude does seem quite forgettable.

*Kazakh goalie prospect willing to play for Kazakhstan, I should say

 

[ozo]

Nikitin has been pretty sieve-like. Is this the end of the legend that has been the best Kazakh goalie prospect ever? Because other than his international performances, the dude does seem quite forgettable.

He will still hold this title as ''the best prospect" ever just because there is no competition. All senior goalies Kazakshtan have developed late and became pros because someone literally has to.

But no debate here - he is poor.

 

[SoundAndFury]

He will still hold this title as ''the best prospect" ever just because there is no competition. All senior goalies Kazakshtan have developed late and became pros because someone literally has to.

But no debate here - he is poor.

I have some hopes for Amirbekov. He is also still a prospect in a broader sense. And he isn't under Barys' dubious guidance although I'm not sure if Magnitka is much better.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Germany settling into their structure.. This will come down to a goalie out situation.

 

[ozo]

I have some hopes for Amirbekov. He is also still a prospect in a broader sense. And he isn't under Barys' dubious guidance although I'm not sure if Magnitka is much better.

Oh absolutely - Amirbekov looks promising. I had hopes also for Maxim Pavlenko, but his season has not been stellar due to lack of games.

 

[ozo]

Penalty kill in final minutes. just want Kazakhstan wants in this tournament.

 

[PanniniClaus]

Sarkenov is just out of control. Talented but out of control.

 

[ozo]

Sarkenov is just out of control. Talented but out of control.

Yeah, he has a temper for sure.