Image: GEPA pictures/ Daniel Goetzhaber (GEPA pictures)
The ÖEHV selection lost to Germany on Friday 2:4 (1:2,0:1,1:1) and is at the bottom of Group A with one point. After the game on Saturday (3:20 p.m./live ORF 1) against the defending champion On Monday (7:20 p.m. / live ORF Sport +), Finland will be up against Hungary to stay in the A World Cup.
It was a reflection of previous performances by the Austrians: played well, but not very efficiently in front of the opposing goal and fatal mistakes on the defensive. The early lead of Nico Sturm (5th), one of three NHL players in the Germans, equalized Bernd Wolf (12th). Thanks to Parker Tuomie (17th) and Wojciech Stachowiak (34th), the favorite pulled away to 3:1, Lukas Haudum (54th) provided an exciting finish, but the equalizer was no longer possible. Sturm sealed the German victory with an empty netter (59th).
Germany put on a lot of pressure in the first few minutes and quickly took the lead. On the counterattack after the first Austrian offensive action, Stanley Cup winner Sturm prevailed against two defenders and shot the disc between goalkeeper David Kickert’s pads.
The Austrians put up with the early setback, took command and also rewarded themselves. After Lukas Haudum (9th) and Marco Rossi (11th) missed two huge chances, Wolf scored to equalize. A lucky hit brought the Germans forward again, Benjamin Nissner deflected a harmless puck into his own goal.
Team boss Roger Bader’s squad also played at eye level in the middle third and conceded a goal due to inconsistent defensive work. Stachowiak was able to curve unhindered through the red-white-red defense and slide in to make it 3:1. In the 54th minute, Haudum, who deflected a shot from Ali Wukovits, scored the goal. But it wasn’t enough for a point.
Germany is on the way to the quarter-finals, Austria is again facing a direct duel for relegation – unless Hungary surprises against the DEB team on Sunday. If it goes to paper, on Monday against Hungary it is about the ticket for the 2024 World Cup in the Czech Republic, but before that the current world champion and Olympic champion Finland is waiting on Saturday.
Defender talent David Reinbacher, who suffered a knee injury against Sweden, was rested again on Friday but could play against Finland. “We are optimistic that it could work out for tomorrow,” Bader said in an ORF interview.
Source: Nachrichten
