Austria lose first test against Latvia after a penalty shootout

Austria started with David Madlener in goal and Thomas Höneckl as backup. Line 1 consisted of Dominique Heinrich, Kilian Zündel, Emilio Romig, Lukas Kainz and Nico Feldner; line 2 was made up of Ramon Schnetzer, Gerd Kragl, Maximilian Rebernig, Felix Maxa and Senna Peeters; line 3 featured Bernhard Posch, Gregor Biber, Ian Scherzer, Leon Wallner and Mathias Böhm; and line 4 comprised Michael Kernberger, Patrick Söllinger, Lukas Bär, Niklas Bretschneider and Julian Metzler.

Throughout the full 60 minutes, the team coached by Head Coach Roger Bader made their mark and, particularly in the first period, had Latvia's forechecking well under control. Leon Wallner then gave Austria the lead in the 16th minute.

Latvia gained the upper hand in the middle period, creating more chances and equalising in the 26th minute. Austria threw themselves in front of every shot during this phase, supporting David Madlener in goal wherever they could.

The final period was evenly balanced. Julian Metzler put his team back in front after an assist from Lukas Bär. However, the lead lasted just over two minutes. Towards the end of regulation time, Austria had another good chance to win, and were also the better team in overtime.

However, the decision had to be made in the penalty shootout, where Emilio Romig's goal ultimately proved insufficient.

Head Coach Roger Bader: “Apart from the ten-minute dip in the middle period, I am very pleased with the game. Especially when you consider how young the team we fielded here was, and that some players last played three to five weeks ago. Naturally, it is disappointing that we did not win in the end. Tomorrow, the two players who were in the stands today, Thomas Klassek and Armin Preiser, will play. We will start with Thomas Höneckl in goal, with Max Zimmermann as backup.  

David Madlener, Player of the Match: “We came out of the dressing room very well, were able to apply pressure from the very start and create chances. Latvia then applied a lot of pressure in the middle period. They showed how strong they are on skates and frequently got the puck in deep. The boys worked very well defensively and, in my view, we were the better team in overtime. There is always an element of luck in a penalty shootout, but at the end of the day we deservedly earned this point.”

World Championship preparation

Latvia vs. Austria 3:2 nP (0:1, 1:0, 1:1)
Thu, 4 April 2024, 18:00 (MESZ), Riga (LAT)
Austria goalscorers: Leon Wallner (16th minute), Julian Metzler (43rd minute)
Latvia goalscorers: Feliks Egils Gavars (26th minute), Dans Locmelis (46th minute)

Latvia vs. Austria
Fri, 5 April 2024, 18:00 (MESZ), Riga (LAT)
Live on LIVE.eishockey.at

Slovenia vs. Austria
Thu, 11 April 2024, 19:00, Ljubljana (SLO)

Austria vs. Slovenia
Fri, 12 April 2024, 18:00, Villach

Czechia vs. Austria
Thu, 18 April 2024, 17:10, Budweis (CZE)

Austria vs. Czechia
Sat, 20 April 2024, 18:00, Linz

Germany vs. Austria
Thu, 25 April 2024, 19:00, Garmisch (GER)

Austria vs. Germany
Sat, 27 April 2024, 16:15, Zell am See

Austria vs. Canada
Sun, 5 May 2024, 19:00, Vienna

Tickets for all home games are available now HERE.

2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship

10 - 26 May 2024
Host: Czechia
Venues: Parg and Ostrava
Group A – Prague: Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Czechia, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Great Britain
Group B – Ostrava: USA, Germany, Sweden, Slovakia, Latvia, France, Kazakhstan, Poland

Schedule

Austria vs. Denmark
Sat, 11 May 2024, 16:20

Austria vs. Switzerland
Sun, 12 May 2024, 20:20

Canada vs. Austria
Tue, 14 May 2024, 20:20

Finland vs. Austria
Thu, 16 May 2024, 16:20

Czechia vs. Austria
Fri, 17 May 2024, 20:20

Norway vs. Austria
Sun, 19 May 2024, 16:20

Austria vs. Great Britain
Tue, 21 May 2024, 12:20