The young ÖEHV selection defeated Slovakia 3:2 after extra time in the first game of the four-nation tournament in Krefeld on Thursday (1:1,1:0,0:1,1:0). After goals from defender Bernd Wolf (19th) and captain Dominique Heinrich (24th/PP), Lukas Haudum scored the winning goal after 32 seconds of extra time.
Austria is taking part in the traditional tournament for the first time and justified the invitation with a win over the eighth place in the world rankings. Goalkeeper David Kickert, who was voted the best player of the red-white-red team, made strong saves in the early stages but suffered an unfortunate goal in the 15th minute. Heinrich deflected a pass from Michael Beno into the near corner.
Bernd Wolf managed to equalize in the first third. The Swiss legionnaire fought for the target on his own blue line and completed his energetic counterattack with the equalizer. At the beginning of the middle period, Heinrich put the Austrians ahead on the power play. In the final third Austria could not use 46 seconds with two more men on the ice. Otherwise, however, the Olympic bronze medalist from Beijing 2022 was on the trigger and managed to equalize through Adrian Holesinsky (55th).
In overtime, which is played in 3-on-3 mode, the Slovaks didn’t get a single shot against Haudum, Marco Kasper and David Maier, and Haudum finally secured Austria’s first win against Slovakia since February 2017. In the Austrian 18-year-old Kloten defender David Reinbacher made his international debut.
After a one-day break, team boss Roger Bader’s team will continue against host Germany on Saturday (6 p.m.), and Denmark will be waiting for the finale on (Sunday, 11 a.m./both live ORF Sport +).
Germany Cup in Krefeld: Austria – Slovakia 3:2 a.e.t. (1:1.1:0.0:1.1:0). Goals: B. Wolf (19′), Heinrich (24’/PP), Haudum (61′) or Beno (15′), Holesinsky (55′)
Source: Nachrichten
