In addition to the German team, hosts the Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland also achieved victories at the start of the Ice Hockey World Cup.
Sweden won the meeting between the co-favorites against the USA in the German group. In Ostrava, Czech Republic, the eleven-time ice hockey world champion won against the Americans 5:2 (1:0, 2:1, 2:1) on Friday evening. The USA, who competed with numerous NHL professionals, will be opponents of runner-up world champion Germany on Saturday (8:20 p.m.). The team of national coach Harold Kreis previously won against Slovakia 6:4.
Joel Eriksson Ek gave the Swedes the lead in the first third (9th minute). Lucas Raymond increased the score to 2-0 (24th). The Americans, who had been disappointing until then, came within 1:2 through Zach Werenski (33′). But Marcus Johansson restored the two-goal lead four minutes later. After the interim 2:3 by Brock Nelson (44th), Victor Hedmann (60th) and Eriksson Ek (60th) made the final score 5:2 with his second goal.
The Czech Republic has to go to a penalty shootout
Hosts Czech Republic started Group A in Prague with a narrow win against Finland. After a goalless 60 minutes, the decision was made after a penalty shootout. Switzerland had previously defeated Norway 5:2 (1:1, 3:0, 1:1).