Samanski, 23, set up the game’s first goal Tuesday with a beautiful backhand pass to Leon Draisaitl at 3:40 of the first period. Draisaitl returned the favor in the third period, serving up a pass for Samanski’s first goal of the tournament.
Each goal came on the power play, which was dormant throughout the preliminary round, going 1-for-9.
“Josh does a great job netfront, especially on the power play,” Germany coach Harold Kreis said.
Draisaitl and Samanski have been building on a chemistry that has taken root with the Oilers, who signed Samanski as a free agent on April 2, 2025. He has two assists in five games for the Oilers this season, and 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) in 39 games with Bakersfield of the American Hockey League.
On the game’s opening goal, Samanski feathered a pass to Draisaitl, stationed in the far circle. In the blink of an eye, it was in the net.
“At that point I’m just trying to put it in his wheelhouse, and his wheelhouse is pretty big,” Samanski said, laughing.
Samanski extended Germany’s lead to 4-1 at 7:01 of the third in a game that, until then, was much tighter than expected.
“That goal was big for us in the third,” forward JJ Peterka said. “From start to finish, a super solid game for him.”