Germany’s men’s ice hockey team committed “way too many mistakes” in Wednesday’s Olympic quarter-final exit to Slovakia, NHL star Leon Draisaitl said.
The 6-2 defeat in Milan was a shock for a team which was widely considered the strongest ever Germany squad, featuring the Edmonton Oilers player as well as other NHL talent such as Detroit Red Wings defenceman Moritz Seider and Ottawa Senators centre Tim Stützle.
Advertisement
Slovakia won each period 1-0, 3-1 and 2-1 in a comprehensive victory, with Pavol Regenda starring with two goals.
Draisaitl, who carried Germany’s flag at the opening ceremony, told reporters: “No need to open the game up like that. Just too many mistakes.”
Germany had beaten France 5-1 in the play-off just a day before but the short rest between games was not to blame.
“We are used to back-to-backs, so yeah, whatever. No excuse,” the forward added.
Despite a botched preliminary round with only one win against Denmark and two defeats against Latvia and the US, the bracket appeared to offer the Germans the easiest path to the semi-finals.
Advertisement
But they conceded goals too easily all tournament and Seider said of the Slovakia game: “They outplayed us, especially in the second, and then it fell apart. It is very hard to come back anyway, but especially in internationals.
“We didn’t really get the flow of the game going. It is a disappointing outcome. The whole tournament, we never played a full 60 minutes. That is disappointing because we had more in the tank.”
Slovakia’s Erik Cernak on the puck during the men’s quater final Ice hockey match between Slovakia and Germany, as part of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Peter Kneffel/dpa
Germany’s Alexander Ehl challenges Slovakia’s Libor Hudacek during the men’s play-offs quater final Ice hockey match between Slovakia and Germany, as part of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Peter Kneffel/dpa
Germany’s Leon Draisaitl in action during the men’s play-offs quater final Ice hockey match between Slovakia and Germany, as part of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina. Peter Kneffel/dpa