Germany and Denmark closed out the second day of the Men’s Ice Hockey tournament with a high-octane battle that had a little bit of everything-early fireworks, NHL star power, and a dose of chaos to seal the deal. This one had the feel of a statement game, and Germany made theirs loud and clear.
The tone was set almost immediately. Just 23 seconds into the opening period, Leon Draisaitl-yes, the same Leon Draisaitl who’s been lighting it up for the Edmonton Oilers-buried one to give Germany a 1-0 lead. It was a lightning-quick start that jolted the German bench to life and hinted at what kind of night this might be.
But while Draisaitl got the scoring started, it was Moritz Seider who quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) controlled the tempo from the back end. The Detroit Red Wings defenseman was everywhere.
He logged a team-high 26:18 of ice time, and it wasn’t just quantity-it was quality. Seider was out there in every situation: anchoring the top power play unit, logging regular even-strength minutes, and ready for penalty-kill duty, though Germany’s disciplined play kept those shorthanded shifts to a minimum.
Seider nearly made his mark on the scoresheet early, too. Not long after Draisaitl’s opener, the 24-year-old blueliner stepped into a booming slapshot from the point that clanged off the crossbar. It was inches away from making it 2-0 before Denmark had even settled in.
To their credit, Denmark didn’t fold. Against the flow of play, Oscar Moelgaard found a seam behind the German defense and tied the game with a breakaway finish.
Seider was on the ice for the goal, but Germany didn’t let the momentum swing linger. Just minutes later, Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle capped off a slick passing sequence to restore the German lead.
Once again, Seider was involved in the play, helping to apply the sustained pressure that led to the goal.
The dagger came in the third, and it was a sequence that perfectly captured Germany’s blend of skill and opportunism. It started with Seider moving the puck up to Draisaitl, who then found Stutzle down low.
Stutzle tried to center the puck, but a bounce off a Danish defender redirected it into the net. It wasn’t a highlight-reel tally, but it counted all the same-and it gave Seider his first Olympic point with a secondary assist.
Still, the box score only tells part of the story. Seider’s impact went well beyond that lone assist.
He was a stabilizing force, a physical presence, and a leader on the ice. Whether it was breaking up plays in the defensive zone or jump-starting the transition game, he played with the kind of poise and command you expect from a veteran, not a player still in his mid-20s.
Germany now shifts its focus to a Saturday morning matchup against Latvia, and if this opening performance is any indication, they’ll be leaning heavily on Seider as the tournament rolls on. With Draisaitl leading the charge up front and Seider anchoring the blue line, this German squad has the kind of high-end talent that can cause problems for just about anyone.
One game in, and Germany has already made a strong impression. And if Seider continues to play like this, they’re going to be a tough out for the rest of the field.