EDMONTON, AB - Germany's 4-3 overtime win against Sweden at the 2018 Winter Olympics shocked many. Not only due to the fact that Germany defeated Sweden for the first time ever in Olympic play but, as Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl pointed out, for the sheer accomplishment.
"As a German, it's not so much who you beat," said Draisaitl on Wednesday. "Those countries, they're so much better than we are in hockey. There are so many more players. It's just the fact that we can beat those teams and go to the semifinals at the Olympics.
"It's so special for a small hockey country like Germany."
Draisaitl said he didn't watch the game live but spoke to many of the players from the German club after.
"I have a lot of friends on that team," he said. "The first thing I saw on my phone was the score then guys from that team texted me."
Germany will now face Canada in the semifinals. At the 1992 Winter Olympics in France, Leon's father, Peter, had a shootout opportunity in the quarterfinal game against Canada.
Canada goaltender Sean Burke - now general manager of Canada's Men's Olympic Team - stopped his attempt.
"I still chirp him," laughed Draisaitl.
BLOG: Draisaitl comments on Germany's success at Olympics
Forward has bets within the Oilers Dressing Room on Germany-Canada semifinal
