The ÖEHV selection sensationally scored a point on Sunday in Tampere with a 2:3 (1:0.1:1.0:1) defeat after extra time against the USA. Benjamin Nissner (15th) and Paul Huber (35th) gave Austria a 2-0 lead against the US team, which had 16 NHL players.
Just 17 seconds after the second goal, Kieffer Bellows reduced the lead to 1:2 (35′). In the final third Adam Gaudette (49./PP) and in the extension Luke Hughes (64.) prevented a red-white-red sensation. After a one-day break on Tuesday (3.20 p.m. / live ORF Sport +), the team of team boss Roger Bader will face the next top opponent in the Czech Republic.
Bader made two changes to his team compared to the Sweden game the day before (1:3). David Kickert replaced Bernhard Starkbaum in goal and was a sovereign support. Brian Lebler replaced Manuel Ganahl in the front row with Lukas Haudum and Marco Kasper.
After the strong performance of the day before, the Austrians even improved against the NHL professionals. The team around captain Thomas Raffl gave the Americans a duel at eye level in the first third, played defensively disciplined and offensively cheeky. The reward was the leadership.
Youngster Kasper started a wonderful solo in a US penalty that was about to expire and served Benjamin Nissner, who defeated goalkeeper Strauss Mann from close range.
In the middle third, the US boys stepped up a gear. Thanks to Kickert, who showed no weaknesses, and a strong penalty kill, the Austrians withstood the pressure. And after a nice combination of Haudum and Ali Wukovits, Paul Huber struck a second time (35′). Only 17 seconds later, the USA scored the first goal through Bellows (35th).
In the final third, the Austrians survived another manpower game, but in the next power play Gaudette scored to equalize (49th). Kickert and Co. saved themselves in a defensive battle in extra time. The US team was lucky when Peter Schneider shot the crossbar (63′), but almost in return Hughes destroyed any hope of victory.
Center Benjamin Baumgartner was injured in the middle third and couldn’t finish the game. Clemens Unterweger missed his second game due to an upper body injury, but the KAC defender should get fit for the Czech Republic game.
Source: Nachrichten
