Germany has now more than achieved its goal as host of the 2010 World Ice Hockey Championship, with the country advancing to the quarterfinals after a win over Slovakia on Tuesday in Cologne.

"We can be really proud of our performance tonight," German captain Marcel Goc told reporters after the game. "At first, we just wanted to make it out of the preliminary round, and after we did that we wanted to make it into the quarters as well."

A relieved German trainer, Uwe Krupp, said the victory was proof that his team was improving.

"We're all very happy. I'm proud of this team because this was our best game so far, especially the way we played the last 15 minutes."

Nail biter

After a quick offensive start for Germany, the hosts got out to a 1-0 lead in the middle of the first period with a goal from Alexander Barta. The center set up wingman Daniel Kreutzer for a shot from the slot, which missed only to ricochet onto Barta's stick for an easy backhand goal.

Germany made it 2-0 in the second period with another Kreutzer-Barta combination, with Kreutzer this time converting the Barta assist on his own.

Slovakia came alive offensively in the first half of the second period, with Germany goalie Dennis Endras continuing his stellar performance and stopping the attack.

A four-minute double minor penalty for German center Felix Schuetz gave Slovakia enough chances to finally beat Endras. Marek Svatos buried a shot from the slot at the end of the penalty and the second period, giving Slovakia momentum heading into the third period.

However, the German defense overcame both the pressure of holding onto the win and the Slovak attack throughout the third to hold onto the 2-1 victory.

Germany is now set to face Sweden, Czech Republic or archrival Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Thursday in Mannheim.

glb/SID/dpa
Editor. Nancy Isenson