Canada drops 4-3 decision to host Germany in opener of Deutschland Cup

MUNICH, Germany _ Canada opened the Deutschland Cup men's hockey tournament by dropping a 4-3 decision to Germany on Friday.

The Germans thrilled the home crowd at the Olympiahalle Munich by storming out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Canada tied the game in the second period before Patrick Reimer scored the winner with just over six minutes left in the frame.

“We kind of shot ourselves in the foot early against a team here that came out pretty hard obviously with the home crowd,” said Canadian head coach Mark Messier. “But no excuses. We hurt ourselves early and it was a tough way to start the game.”

Patrick Hager beat Canadian goaltender Fred Brathwaite to open the scoring at 8:22. Kai Hospelt and Alexander Weis added singles later in the period.

Canada's Nathan Robinson and Tyler Bouck scored within a minute of each other to make it a one-goal game. Canadian blue-liner Mario Scalzo tied it moments later before Reimer put Germany up to stay.

“The guys played with a lot of grit and heart to get back into the game,” Messier said.

German goalie Dennis Endras made 26 saves in the victory, three more than Brathwaite.

Messier made his head coaching debut on Tuesday, guiding a different squad of Europe-based Canadians to a 6-2 win over Switzerland in the Swiss Challenge.

“It's a chance to compete again,” Messier said of his coaching duties. “Although you're not playing, you're definitely involved in the game. You can have an impact on the game, which is exciting. So I'm really enjoying it.”

Former NHL player Uwe Krupp is the head coach of the German squad.

Switzerland beat Slovakia 2-0 in the early round-robin game Friday. Canada will play both teams over the weekend.

Messier will also coach Canada at the Spengler Cup in December.

The former NHL star was Canada's general manager at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in May when the national team finished seventh. Canada last participated in the four-team Deutschland Cup in 2008, winning gold.

Goals/Buts : 
08:22 GER Patrick Hager (Simon Danner)
12:04 GER Kai Hospelt (Philip Gogulla, Michael Wolf)
14:56 GER Alexander Weiss (Frank Mauer, Marcus Kink)

Penalties/Pénalités : 
09:58 CAN Jame Pollock (Tripping/Trébucher)
18:12 GER Marcus Kink (Checking from behind + 10-min misconduct/ Mise en échec par-derrière + inconduite de 10 min.)

Goals/Buts : 
07:48 CAN Nathan Robinson (Derek Hahn, Lee Goren)
08:40 CAN Tyler Bouck (Lee Goren, Derek Hahn) PP/ AN
13:26 CAN Mario Scalzo (Norm Milley, Derrick Walser)
13:50 GER Patrick Reimer (Florian Kettemer, Martin Buchweiser)

Penalties/Pénalités : 
00:24 CAN Mario Scalzo (Slashing/Cingler)
03:52 GER Michael Wolf (Hooking/Accrocher)
09:39 CAN Tyler Beechey (Hooking/Accrocher)
12:28 GER Simon Danner (Interference/Obstruction)
15:24 GER Daniel Pietta (Tripping /Trébucher)

Missed penalty shot/ Lancer de punition râté – 00:24  GER Michael Wolf

Goals/Buts : 
none/aucun

Penalties/Pénalités : 
06:52 CAN Derrick Walser (Cross-checking/Double-échec)
06:52 CAN Derrick Walser (High-sticking/Bâton élevé)
17:10 GER Michael Wolf (Penalty/Punition)
17:10 GER Derrick Walser (Holding/Avoir retenu)