Austria also lose their second World Cham­pi­onship warm-up game against Latvia in Vienna

It took just 15 seconds before Latvia goaltender Mareks Mitens was tested for the first time. As on the previous day, Austria stood up well to the 2023 World Championship bronze medallists, who nevertheless created more scoring opportunities overall. Nicolas Wieser was entrusted with the Austrian net today and, like his opposite number, kept a clean sheet for the opening 20 minutes.

Austria failed to take the lead during a four-minute power play in the opening period. 67 seconds into the middle period, Latvia's Georgs Golovkovs was on hand to score for 1:0. Shortly before the buzzer, Anri Ravinskis made it 2:0, before adding 3:0 just seconds after the second break. 

Before Dominic Zwerger scored Austria's first goal in the 53. minute, Latvia capitalised on their power play in the 48. minute to put the visitors' fourth goal on the scoreboard.

Austria showed character at this stage, refused to give up and created chances, but were repeatedly denied by Mitens.

An overtime period and a shootout were held for training purposes. The overtime ended in a draw, while Austria won the shootout 2:1.

Head Coach Roger Bader: “Latvia's win was deserved, but in my view the margin was too great. Based on our performance, we deserved to score more than one goal and concede one or two fewer. Overall, though, Latvia were a little stronger. The physical difference was particularly evident. It is very unfamiliar for our players, but also very good, to play such physical games at this level. Our overtime was outstanding, and winning the shootout twice is no mean feat either. Overall, I am satisfied.”

World Championship preparation

Austria vs. Latvia 1:4 (0:0,0:2,1:2)
Sat., 5 April 2025, 16:20, Vienna, Hall 3 STEFFL Arena
Austria goalscorer: Dominic Zwerger (53.) 
Latvia goalscorers: Georgijs Golovkovs (22.), Anri Ravinskis (39., 41.), Rihards Bukarts (48./PP1)

Already played:

Austria vs. Latvia 2:3 after overtime (1:0,0:2,1:0,0:1)
Fri., 4 April 2025, 16:20, Vienna, Hall 3 STEFFL Arena
Austria goalscorers: Benjamin Lanzinger (19.), Dominic Zwerger (55.)
Latvia goalscorers: Nauris Sējējs (28.), Kristaps Skrastiņš (29.), Miks Tumānovs (62.)

Further games:

Hungary vs. Austria
Thu, 10 April 2025, 19:00, Szekesfehervar (HUN) – subject to change, live on Krone TV

Hungary vs. Austria
Fri, 11 April 2025, 18:00, Ajka (HUN) – subject to change, live on Krone TV

Czechia vs. Austria
Thu, 17 April 2025, 19:00, Znojmo (CZE), live on Krone TV

Austria vs. Czechia
Sat, 19 April 2025, 17:30, Linz, live on ORF SPORT +

Austria vs. Germany
Thu, 24 April 2025, 19:00, Zell am See, live on ORF SPORT +

Germany vs. Austria
Sat, 26 April 2025, 17:00, Rosenheim (GER), live on ORF SPORT +

Austria vs. Canada
Sun, 4 May 2025, 19:00, Vienna STEFFL Arena, live on ORF SPORT +

2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship

9–25 May 2025, Stockholm, Sweden & Herning, Denmark

Austria vs. Finland
Fri, 09 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20, live on ORF 1

Sweden vs. Austria
Sat, 10 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20, live on ORF 1

Austria vs. Slovakia
Mon, 12 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20, live on ORF 1

Canada vs. Austria
Thu, 15 May 2025, Globe Arena, 20:20, live on ORF 1

Austria vs. France
Fri, 16 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20, live on ORF 1

Slovenia vs. Austria
Sun, 18 May 2025, Globe Arena, 16:20, live on ORF 1

Latvia vs. Austria
Tue, 20 May 2025, Globe Arena, 12:20, live on ORF 1