DEG can defend title in Dresden
The Düsseldorfer EG wins the Sachsenlotto Cup 2024 against HC Verva Litvinov. They deservedly beat the reigning Czech champions 4:1 (1:0, 2:0, 1:1). At midday, the Nuremberg Ice Tigers secured third place with a 6:2 win against the Dresden Eislöwen. The red and yellows made a very good impression against this strong opponent and were able to take home the title again with a concentrated performance. Also: The fifth win in the seventh warm-up game! A record that is impressive.
Today’s squad: Head coach Steven Reinprecht was able to rely on the same squad as in yesterday’s semi-final this Sunday. Still missing: Nikita Quapp, Kyle Cumiskey, Brendan O’Donnell, Max Balinson, Justin Richards and Rick Schofield. Leon Hümer was again on the bench as second goalkeeper, having to step in for Haukeland in the first third.
The game: In the first third, both teams started very confidently and with a lot of speed. The DEG – again in black today – did particularly well in defense against the Czechs and allowed very few scoring opportunities. Litvinov was often pushed back into his own third and repeatedly forced to build up again. The Düsseldorf offense was even braver today than against the Ice Tigers the day before. Many shots from the blue line and rebounds were aimed at the goal. The DEG lead was initiated by a quick combination game. Alec McCrea shot at the goal from the right side from close range, Alex Blank pushed the rebound over the line (07:10, assist McCrea, 1:0).
A real piece of bad news in the penultimate minute of the first period: Henrik Haukeland goes straight to the dressing room during a break. Nineteen-year-old Leon Hümer comes in for him.
In the middle period, Drake Rymsha had to go to the penalty box in the first minute for sticking. The only incident in this shorthanded game: Oliver Mebus was hit in the face and remained lying down for a while, but later returned to play. The first power play of the DEG (double power play for 1:30min) led to a 2-0 lead. Alex Blank got the puck through Tyler Angle and brought it to captain Philip Gogulla, who was in the right place in the slot and kept the stick in (13:03, assist Angle and Blank, 2:0). A little later, defender Alec McCrea scored with a slap shot from distance (09:56, assist Gogulla, 3:0). Shortly before the end of the second period, youngster David Lewandowski got into a scuffle in front of the opponent’s goal and had to go to the penalty box.
In the final period, Litvinov came out of the locker room more alert and focused than before. While Düsseldorf were playing with a numerical advantage, a one-on-one situation arose between Leon Hümer and Joseph Jícha. The first goal for the Czechs in this match (17:10, 3:1). Up to this point, the goalkeepers had not had to do much.
In the 41st minute, Leon Hümer made a monster save – the Czechs had already seen it in. The young goalkeeper also made some great saves in the subsequent game when the red and yellows were outnumbered. Towards the end of the game, Litvinov made more and more runs at Hümer, but he was always unable to get past him. In the 56th minute, Litvinov took a time-out and took the goalkeeper out. A little later, Alex Blank scored into the empty net to make it 4:1 (03:06, assist Rymsha, 4:1).
Overall, the red and yellows had a strong performance, with Alex Blank particularly impressive (three points – two goals, one assist). Also, the young German goalkeeper and DEG homegrown player Leon Hümer deserves a lot of praise. Great, Leon!
Outlook: This means that the Sachsenlotto Cup has been successfully concluded. The last warm-up game before the start of the season will take place on Sunday, September 15th, against the Iserlohn Roosters. The day before (September 14th) is the official season opening ceremony in the steelworks. Doors open at 2:00 p.m., program from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The official season for the red and yellows begins the following week on September 20th against the Straubing Tigers.
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