10:1 against Chinese Taipei! Austria firmly on course for promo­tion at the World Cham­pi­onship

Following the surprise 2:3 overtime defeat to South Korea and the emphatic 4:0 win over Poland, Austria's U18 women picked up at the 2022 IIHF U18 Women´s World Championship in Radenthein where they had left off against the Polish side.

With wave after wave of attacks and good chances in the opening ten minutes, the Asian side were put under pressure. A quick double from Emma Hofbauer (in the 11th minute) and Christina Bayer (in the 12th minute) gave the team coached by Head Coach Mario Bellina deservedly led 2:0 after twelve minutes.

Two penalties allowed the ÖEHV side to let Chinese Taipei back into the game, with Yi-Ni Lin scoring the goal to make it closer on the 5:3 power play (in the 15th minute). After a brief moment of shock, Austria quickly got back on track towards the opposition goal. Shortly before the end of the first period, Zoey Hobitsch restored the two-goal lead with her third World Championship goal (in the 20th minute).

In the second period, Hanna Obermayr increased Austria's lead to 4:1 on the power play. The Red-White-Red side continued to play strongly and added six more goals in the final period. Goal scorer Zoey Hobitsch opened the scoring in the final frame.

A further quick double within 24 seconds from Lena Artner and Marja Linzbichler (in the 51th minute) opened the floodgates. Emma Hofbauer with her second goal (in the 52nd minute) and Tamina Schall with her first World Championship goal took the score to 9:1.

Leonie Kutzer sent the Nockhalle into raptures as she made it a double-figure score (in the 56th minute). Christina Bayer was named Austria's player of the game.

Head Coach Mario Bellina pleased with the team

After the 10:1, Head Coach Mario Bellina was very pleased with his team, but reminded everyone that neither the World Championship nor promotion are foregone conclusions: "It will not only be difficult against Denmark on Sunday; it has been difficult since the beginning of the World Championship. It is a tournament, and you have to play well in every game before you can talk about a final. The women are handling the pressure well, they are playing really well and implementing what we practise with them. That is how it should continue on Sunday!"

Zoey Hobitsch and Tamina Schall fully focused on the Denmark game

Zoey Hobitsch, who leads the World Championship scoring charts with four goals after three games, was delighted after the emphatic win, though she could scarcely believe the score herself: "We were very surprised and are very happy with the result. Nobody expected that. And now comes the important game against Denmark!"

Tamina Schall, who scored her first World Championship goal, praised the strong teamwork in Radenthein: "Everyone supports one another, we have a great coaching staff who always help us and prepared us well for our opponents. Against Denmark, we now have to fight until the end!" Zoey Hobitsch added: "We hope for the same great support from the fans against Denmark as we have had so far!"

South Korea defeat Denmark

In the first game of the day, South Korea beat Denmark 3:1. This makes the situation clear for Austria: the ÖEHV side and South Korea will battle remotely for promotion.

Austria go into the final matchday in 1st place and can secure promotion under their own steam. Poland are out of the promotion race after a 1:2 overtime defeat to Chinese Taipei on Saturday.

Austria's World Championship tournament in Radenthein concludes on Sunday, 11 September 2022 at 18:00 against Denmark. Austria's promotion game is available in the Livestream on Eishockey live available to watch.

Schedule: 2022 IIHF U18 Women's World Championship - Division IB

6. - 11 September, Radenthein

Austria vs. Chinese Taipei 10:1 (3:1,1:0,6:0)
Fri., 9 September 2022, 19:00, Nockhalle Radenthein
Austria goalscorers: Emma Hofbauer (11'), Christina Bayer (12'), Zoey Hobitsch (20', 45'), Hanna Obermayr (33'/PP1), Lena Artner (51'), Marja Linzbichler (51')., Emma Hofbauer (52'), Tamina Schall (54'), Leonie Kutzer (56').
Chinese Taipei goalscorer: Yi-Ni Lin (15'/PP2)

Still to play:

Denmark vs. Austria (Livestream on Eishockey LIVE)
Sun., 11 September 2022, 18:00, Nockhalle Radenthein

Already played:

Poland vs. Austria 0:4 (0:2,0:0,0:2)
Wed., 7 September 2022, 19:00, Nockhalle Radenthein
Austria goalscorers: Zoey Hobitsch (5', 44'), Hanna Schwarzer (10'), Marja Linzbichler (49')

Austria vs. South Korea 2:3 after overtime (1:1,0:0,1:1,0:1)
Tue., 6 September 2022, 19:00, Nockhalle Radenthein
Austria goalscorers: Karolina Hengelmüller (12'/PP1), Hanna Obermayer (58')
South Korea goalscorers: Eunji Lee (18th/PP1), Nayeon Kim (57th, 61th)

You can find the full schedule HERE!

Standings