Olympics men’s hockey: Germany knocks off Norway in shootout

Germany picked up its first victory of group play in Olympics men’s hockey with a shootout victory over Norway.

Lars Haugen stole the show for Norway in regulation and overtime, but it was Germany who had the last laugh in the Olympic men’s ice hockey shootout between these two teams.

After 60 minutes of regulation hockey and five minutes of 3-on-3 overtime failed to solve anything, Germany and Norway went to their first shootout of the tournament. Patrick Hager got things started for Germany, pulling a quick deke and stuffing home the puck on his forehand with Haugen well out of position. An Anders Bastiansen shot for Norway rang off the post.

Mattias Plachta made it 2-0 in the shootout, going against the grain with his shot, ringing it off the post and in. Germany goalie Danny Aus Den Birken stopped Alexander Reichenberg on his attempt. Dominik Kahun all but put things to bed, ringing his own shot off the post and in on Haugen. One more save by Aus Den Birken and Germany came away with their first victory of the tournament.

In reality, Germany should have put the game away far sooner, but could not solve Haugen.

Germany had a five minute power play in the second period where it failed to convert. The penalty came following a legal hit by Tommy Kristiansen that was deemed illegal when Sinan Akdag hit the ice hard, suffering a concussion as a result. The referees only saw Akdag struggling to his feet and needing help off the ice, not the shoulder-to-shoulder check or rough fall that caused the concussion.

Germany finally broke through in the middle of the second thanks to a power play goal from Hager. Hager pulled the to side-to-front spin move, similar to the one by Ryan Donato against Slovakia, depositing the puck past Hauger. It was the only goal Hauger would allow on 38 shots.

Norway tied it five minutes into the third off a quick one-timer by Reichenberg.

Aus Den Birk stopped 28 of 29 regulation shots to go along with his three shootout denials.

Highlights

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What’s Next

Germany and Norway finished third and fourth respectively in Group C. Both teams will play in the opening round of tournament play.

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