At the Ice Hockey World Championships in Finland, Austria showed a tremendous performance in the second game against a medal contender, which was rewarded this time. The ÖEHV selection sensationally scored a point yesterday in Tampere with a 2:3 (1:0, 1:1, 0:1) defeat after extra time against the USA. Already at the beginning of the 1: 3 against Sweden, they kept up well for a long time.
“If an Austrian team with 13 World Cup newcomers can stand up to an American team that, with the exception of three players, consists of experienced NHL players, then that’s an extraordinary achievement,” said team boss Roger Bader. Now the next top opponent is waiting on Tuesday (3.20 p.m. / live ORF Sport +) with the Czech Republic.
Bader switched his team to two positions compared to the Sweden game. 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.
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 lead: Youngster Kasper played a wonderful solo in a US penalty that was about to expire and served Benjamin Nissner, who defeated goalkeeper Strauss Mann from close range (15′).
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 by Paul Huber, they struck a second time (35th). 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 at the crossbar (63′), Luke Hughes (64′) ultimately prevented a red-white-red sensation with his goal.
Downside: Center Benjamin Baumgartner was injured in the middle third and couldn’t finish the game.
Source: Nachrichten
