Germany needed overtime to get past Switzerland in the qualification playoff. Now they face a Sweden side that has yet to lose in Olympic men’s ice hockey.
At the hockey rinks in the coastal city of Gangneung, Germany has skirted by to the quarterfinals without winning a single hockey game in regulation. In the preliminary stage of the 2018 Winter Olympics men’s tournament, Germany’s only victory came by shootout against Norway. In the qualification playoff, the Germans needed extra time to take down Switzerland.
To make it through to the semifinals, Germany will have to somehow find a way to crack what has been the top team in the tournament so far. Sweden came through the preliminary round of the tournament completely unscathed. They were the only country in the 12-team field to win all three of their contests in regulation time.
These two teams already played once in Group C action.
In that preliminary contest, Sweden managed to put just one of its 26 shots into the net. German netminder Timo Pielmeier played lights-out hockey. But the Swedes needed just one goal to claim a shutout victory.
Viktor Fasth has been a key part of that success, giving up one goal on 36 shots in his two wins. After beginning his career in Sweden, Fasth spent a few seasons in the NHL before returning to Europe. Fasth played in the KHL in Russia before returning to Sweden for the 2017-2018 season. He will definitely be in goal for the Swedish squad.
Will Pielmeier get the start against Sweden again? Danny aus den Birken has been in the crease for both of Germany’s victories, and he will likely get the start. But aus den Birken could have a short leash in the quarterfinal with how well Pielmeier played before against Sweden.
The Swedes have enjoyed balanced scoring from their Olympic roster. They have not scored the most goals, but impeccable defense has made the difference. With two shutouts in three games, Sweden currently looks like the frontrunner for gold. First, though, they have to avoid the trap game in the rematch against Germany.
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Here’s how you can watch the Olympic men’s’ ice hockey quarterfinal showdown between Sweden and Germany online.
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 21
Time: 7:10 a.m. ET
Location: Gangneung, South Korea
Venue: Kwandong Hockey Centre
Live Stream: NBC Olympics, FuboTV
TV Channel: NBC
Keep it tuned in here as we bring you the latest live streams and updated results for ice hockey over the course of the 2018 Winter Olympics.