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Olympics men’s hockey: Germany shocks the world with win over Canada

By Jeremy Lambert

GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 23: Germany celebrates after defeating Canada 4 to 3 during the Men's Play-offs Semifinals on day fourteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 23, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 23: Germany celebrates after defeating Canada 4 to 3 during the Men's Play-offs Semifinals on day fourteen of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 23, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Germany hangs on to pull off one of the biggest upsets in Olympics men’s hockey history, knocking off Canada in the semifinal game.

Do you believe in acts of God?

Germany stunned Canada in the semifinals of the Olympics men’s hockey tournament on Friday morning, hanging on for a 4-3 victory and a trip to the gold medal game against the Olympic Athletes from Russia.

After a 15-minute feeling out process with both teams trying not to make a mistake, Germany capitalized on back-to-back Canadian penalties. Skating 5-on-3, Brooks Macek fired a shot short side on Kevin Poulin to get Germany a 1-0 lead.

Less than seven minutes into the second, Germany made is 3-0 on goals by Matthias Plachta and Frank Mauer. Mauer’s goal was a beauty, a between the legs redirect off a 2-on-1 feed from Marcel Goc.

Canada got it to 3-1 on a power play goal by Gilbert Brule. Germany responded with a power play goal of their own, getting a fortunate bounce off the shin pads of Patrick Hauger. Gilbert Brule was assessed a game missed conduct for delivering a check to the head of David Wolf, setting up a five minute power play for Germany at the end of the second.

Canada killed it off to keep the deficit at three entering the third.

Matt Robinson made Is 4-2 just 2:42 into the third, beating Danny Aus Den Birken with a nice backhand deke in tight. Poulin stopped Dominik Plachta on a penalty shot moments later, the only shot he faced in the third period. Derek Roy made it a one-goal game with just over 10 minutes remaining with a power play goal.

Canada would get another power play and extra open ice in a 4-on-4 situation during the third, but could not get the puck past Aus Den Birken. Canada made one final push with the goalie pulled in the final minute, but Germany was up to the task.

Canada outshot Germany 15-1 in the third and 31-15 in the game. Aus Den Birken was excellent once again for Germany. Meanwhile, Poulin’s shaky second period, three goals allowed on eight shots, was the downfall for Canada.

Highlights

https://twitter.com/7olympics/status/967036388070731777

What’s Next?

Germany has a chance to capture their first gold medal in men’s hockey on Saturday night at 11:10 p.m. ET. To do so, they’ll have to beat pre-tournament favorite Olympic Athletes from Russia. Canada plays Czech Republic for bronze at 7:10 a.m. ET on Saturday.

Next: Team USA women’s hockey gave us a second Miracle on Ice

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