Two days after the sensational point win against the USA, Austria’s national ice hockey team delivered an even bigger surprise at the World Championships in Tampere. On Tuesday, the ÖEHV team defeated the six-time world champion Czech Republic 2-1 after a penalty shoot-out (0:1,0:0,1:0,0:0,1:0) and thus celebrated the first sense of achievement against the Czech Republic.
The safe goalkeeper Bernhard Starkbaum was only beaten by a shot by captain Roman Cervenka (18th). Brian Lebler equalized with 37 seconds to go. Starkbaum fended off three Czech attempts in the penalty shoot-out, Peter Schneider was the only player to use his attempt. It was only the second win against a top six nation in 75 years, following the 3-0 win over the USA on May 6, 2001 at the World Cup in Cologne.
After three games against medal contenders, Austria is sensationally holding three points, but the fight to stay up in the league is only just beginning. Norway is waiting on Wednesday (3:20 p.m. / ORF Sport +), it is the first of two direct duels against relegation. A win against the Scandinavians, who have been playing in Group A since 2006, would probably mean the ticket for the A World Cup in 2023.
Team boss Roger Bader therefore rested his oldest field player against the Czech Republic, the 35-year-old captain Thomas Raffl was able to save energy. Since Benjamin Baumgartner is also out for the rest of the tournament after suffering an injury against the USA, Bader made a big change. Striker Simeon Schwinger made his World Cup debut, defender Clemens Unterweger made his first appearance in Tampere after recovering from injury, with Nico Brunner moving into attack instead. Paul Huber replaced Raffl in the second offensive line, Ali Wukovits took over the center position in the third line instead of Baumgartner. Starkbaum came into play again in goal, David Kickert, who was so strong against the USA, was given a time-out with a view to Wednesday.
The Austrians showed the same virtues as against Sweden (1:3) and USA (2:3 aet) and were rewarded in their 20th duel with the Czech Republic with their first win. The Bader squad worked defensively and didn’t give the favorite, who started with seven NHL players, too many chances. A goal conceded in the early stages was annulled after a video check because the goalkeeper was disabled (8th), Starkbaum and Co. then survived four minutes of a manpower game. In the 18th minute, however, the Czechs struck through Cervenka.
After a goalless middle third, the Austrians fought for the chance of historic success and were rewarded. Bader took Starkbaum off the ice for a sixth field player in the finish and Leber poked the disc over the line with 37 seconds to go. The hit counted after video verification. The Austrians also survived overtime without any problems. In the decision, Schneider acted tricky in his attempt and was the only one of the ten shooters to convert.
Czech Republic – Austria 1:2 nP (1:0,0:0,0:1,0:0,0:1)
Tampere, 3,264
Goals: Cervenka (18th) and Lebler (60th), Schneider (decisive penalty)
Penalty minutes: 4 or 4
Penalty Shootout:
- 0:0 Hertl next to it
- 0:0 Kasper – Vejmelka saves
- 0:0 Cervenka – strong tree holds
- 0:0 Ganahl next to it
- 0:0 Blumel – strong tree holds
- 0:1 Schneider hits
- 0:1 Semjkal – strong tree holds
- 0: 1 Heinrich rod
- 0:1 Krejci next to it
Czech Republic: Vejmelka – Kempny, Hronek; Scotka, Kundratek; Simek, Jirecek; Sklenicka, Jordan – Cervenka, Krejci, Blumel; Vrana, Zahorna, Hertl; Cernoch, Stransky, Smejkal; Flek, Spacek
Austria: strong tree – Maier, Unterweger; Zundel, Heinrich; B. Wolf, Hackl; Kirchschläger, Wimmer – Kasper, Haudum, Lebler; Schneider, Nissner, P. Huber; Feldner, Wukovits, Ganahl; Brunner, Achermann, Schwinger
Source: Nachrichten
