The German national women’s team cruised to a 3-0 victory over the Carleton Ravens in pre-tournament competition for the IIHF Women’s World Ice Hockey Championship at the Ice House March 31.
Team Germany, whose roster includes former Ravens’ captain Sara Seiler, held their training camp at Carleton throughout the week and finished by playing their hosts in an exhibition match.
Seiler thought she had an early goal when she put the puck off Ravens defence Kaylie Welk and into the net, but the goal was disallowed.
“It was a lot of fun seeing [Seiler] out there,” graduating defenceman Kelsey Vander Veen said. “She’s a skilled player who is fun to watch and play against.”
Germany finally opened the scoring with 14 seconds left in the first period when Julia Zorn was able to put the puck past the Ravens’ starting goaltender, Tamber Tisdale.
Early in the second frame, the Germans doubled their lead. Franziska Busch scored only 1:35 into the period and Andrea Lanzl picked up her second assist of the contest.
Halfway through the second period both teams switched goaltenders. Eri Kiribuchi took over for Tisdale in the Ravens net and Viona Harrer replaced Ivonne Schroder between the pipes for Germany.
Germany, who heavily outshot the Ravens, was only able to put one puck past Kiribuchi. Kerstin Spielberger was able to find the back of the net 5:59 into the third period to round out the scoring.
The teams also partook in a shootout after the game, which the Ravens won 2-1. Vander Veen scored on a beautiful move that beat Harrer glove side.
Germany’s next shooter, Manuela Anwander, tied the shootout up with a shot that beat Kiribuchi high glove side.
Jessica O’Grady, the Ravens’ shootout specialist, scored on a deke to her forehand to give the Ravens the lead. Kiribuchi shut the door the rest of the way to give the Ravens the shootout win.
Kiribuchi was named the Ravens player of the game for her stellar play in net and Zorn, who scored the game-winning goal, was named Germany’s player of the game.
The thought of playing a national team was nerve-wracking for Kiribuchi, but playing her former captain made the experience really enjoyable, she said.
“I was a little scared at first because I know she has a really good shot,” she said. “I was a bit nervous, but it was fun to stop her pucks and good to play against her.”
It was an emotional return for Seiler, who played for the Ravens from 2007-2012.
“Once the game started I was fine,” she said. “I was a bit nervous in warm-up, but I was fine once the puck dropped.”
The 30-year-old still plays in the nation’s capital as a member of the Ottawa Icecats Senior AA women’s team and is excited to compete in the world championship in the city she refers to as her second home.
Team Germany is playing in Pool B of the world championship. The top two teams from this pool will advance to the quarter-finals while the bottom two teams will face off in a best of three series to avoid being relegated to Division I.
The Germans are hoping to secure one of the quarter-final berths. To do so, they will need to win two of their three round robin games. They will play Russia, Sweden, and the Czech Republic in Pool B.
“I’m very excited,” Seiler said. “I think we’re well prepared for the tournament and we’re looking forward to getting started.”
