Despite only four shots in the second period, Kazakhstan applied pressure and their chances were quality. Konstantin Pushkaryov hit the post and in another sequence Roman Starchenko’s drive to the net went wide.

Konstantin Romanov was able to wiggle free and create a two-on-one with Konstantin Pushkaryov. Instead of passing, Romanov kept the puck, slowed up to shake the defenseman and went backhand. The shot went wide. 

Despite not facing many shots early on, Rob Zepp needed to be alert.

"First period they had some good chances and they buried one on a tip from the slapshot at the point," said Zepp. "We had to stay focused at that point because they came out stronger in the second period as well as the third." 

Not to be outdone, at the midway point of the period Daniel Pietta took a slapshot that was saved but a big rebound found Yannic Seidenberg who tried to get it in but to no avail. Yeremeyev was ready.

Kazakhstan was pressing more in the third. Gavrilin split the defense and bore down on Zepp, who was there for the stop.

A late hooking penalty on Artemi Lakiza gave Germany another chance to break the tie. They moved the puck well and got shots but their opponent successfully killed it off. 

The game went into a five-minue sudden death overtime. 

Germany started quickly with scoring opportunities by Sinan Akdag and Alexander Barta in the same shift. 

The shootout was tied 1-1 on goals by Alexander Barta and Dmitri Upper when Oppenheimer scored the game winner on the final shot.

"I saw what Barta was doing and decided to go the same way and it worked out for me." Oppenheimer said of the move and the winning shot.

Germany can be pleased coming away with two points but cannot rest too much with another game tomorrow, this time against Latvia.

"We have to give ourselves credit, we have a young team, we stuck with our system and got the extra point out of it today," said Zepp.