Austria lose ice hockey thriller against Switzer­land 5:6

Austria head coach Roger Bader started David Kickert in goal against Switzerland, with Thomas Höneckl named as the backup. Both teams made a brisk start to the game, with the ÖEHV selection creating good opportunities in the offensive zone early on. Thomas Raffl and Benjamin Nissner had the first good chances. After Marco Rossi won a face-off, the puck went straight to Clemens Unterweger, who fired home a superb shot to give Austria a 1:0 lead (5th). It was the defenceman’s first World Championship goal. 

Austria were compact defensively, gave little away in the opening stages and repeatedly launched quick attacks. Switzerland’s best chance fell to Roman Josi, who went through alone on the Austrian goal after a turnover, but David Kickert deflected his shot. Austria then had the first power play, but were unable to make the most of it. 

The Austrian players were the stronger side offensively and added another: following an attack down the right and a cross-ice pass from Vinzenz Rohrer in front of goal, Paul Huber bundled the puck over the line after a scramble to make it 2:0 (15th). The puck had gone into the net off goalkeeper Berra’s skate. 

The Swiss pulled one back through Roman Josi on a 5:3 power play (16th) to make it 1:2. During the remaining 4:5 penalty kill, goalkeeper David Kickert preserved the narrow lead with good saves. Towards the end of the first period, the team coached by Patrick Fischer took a penalty.

Goal fest in the second period

Austria began the second period on the power play following Switzerland’s late penalty. After a wonderful pass from Dominic Zwerger, Lukas Haudum let fly and netted to make it 3:1, a world-class goal (22th). Switzerland responded with a goal just 38 seconds later. Roman Josi fed Nico Hischier, who scored from close range to make it 2:3 (23th). When Christoph Bertschy appeared in front of goal after a fine deke, David Kickert produced a strong save to deny the equaliser. 

Austria were fortunate on another power play when Switzerland hit the post. This was immediately followed by a second 3:5 penalty kill, which Switzerland capitalised on with two goals – the second on a 5:4 power play – within 13 seconds, as Roman Josi and Ken Jäger turned the game around to 4:3 (30th). Austria responded well to the double blow and made the most of a power play with two seconds remaining: Lukas Haudum again scored with a superb shot following a good combination to equalise at 4:4 (35th). 

Immediately afterwards, Peter Schneider even had the lead on his stick, but the forward was denied by goalkeeper Berra. Towards the end of the second period, Switzerland had another power play, during which goalkeeper David Kickert made an absolutely world-class glove save against Philipp Kurashev – a highlight-reel stop!

Right at the start of the third period, Switzerland made the most of the remaining power-play time, with Nico Hischier making it 5:4 after 43 seconds (41th). Akira Schmid was now in goal for the neighbours. Austria remained within touching distance and continued to pose a threat going forward. During a good line change, Benjamin Baumgartner chipped the puck towards goal from the blue line and scored to equalise at 5:5 (53th). 

Just under five minutes from the end, Marco Rossi had the lead on his stick, but Switzerland’s backup goalkeeper Schmid cut down the angle well. With a minute and a half remaining, Austria’s Bernd Wolf received a debatable holding penalty. Nico Hischer capitalised on the power play and scored with a wraparound 51 seconds before the final siren to make it 6:5 (60th). Head coach Roger Bader then pulled goalkeeper Kickert, but Austria could not find the equaliser.

Head coach Roger Bader analysed the narrow defeat after the final siren: “We did many things much better today than yesterday. We showed the players what needed to be different, that they had to deal with the higher intensity here differently. The players were a little surprised by the pressure yesterday, but today they did an outstanding job. We played our part in a great ice hockey spectacle. That was probably one of our best performances of recent years, comparable with the win over the Czech Republic two years ago, a top performance from us. But of course it is bitter to concede that goal 51 seconds from the end. You can probably call that penalty, but you do not have to!”

Lukas Haudum, two-goal scorer and Austria’s Best Player, lamented the late goal conceded: “In general, we can be proud of our performance against such a top nation as Switzerland. We could hardly have played any better, we were very effective up front and made the most of our chances. Of course, we also had a little luck, but we earned that. It was bitter in the end; Switzerland were ice-cold on the power play, and unfortunately we did not get a point against them!”

Defending champions Canada await on Tuesday

After a day off, they continue against defending champions Canada on Tuesday, 14 May, from 20:20. Defenceman Thimo Nickl will join Austria’s squad. The match will be shown live on ORF SPORT +.

2024 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Austria vs. Switzerland 5:6 (2:1,2:3,1:2)
Sun, 12 May 2024, 20:20, Prague Arena, 13.512
Austria scorers: Clemens Unterweger (5), Paul Huber (15), Lukas Haudum (22/PP1, 35/PP1), Benjamin Baumgartner (53)
Switzerland scorers: Roman Josi (16/PP2, 30/PP2), Nico Hischier (23, 41/PP1, 60/PP1), Ken Jäger (30/PP1)

Austria line-up:

Goaltenders: 30 Kickert David; 29 Höneckl Thomas (backup)
Line 1: 91 Heinrich Dominique - 14 Zündel Kilian; 5 Raffl Thomas - 70 Nissner Benjamin - 3 Schneider Peter
Line 2: 92 Unterweger Clemens - 32 Wolf Bernd; 16 Zwerger Dominic - 23 Rossi Marco - 96 Huber Mario
Line 3: 24 Strong Steven - 12 Maier David; 17 Ganahl Manuel - 98 Baumgartner Benjamin - 21 Haudum Lukas
Line 4: 18 Stapelfeldt Paul - 20 Brunner Nico; 52 Huber Paul - 9 Wukovits Ali - 19 Rohrer Vinzenz

Further matches:

Canada vs. Austria
Tue, 14 May 2024, 20:20, live on ORF SPORT +

Finland vs. Austria
Thu, 16 May 2024, 16:20, live on ORF SPORT +

Czechia vs. Austria
Fri, 17 May 2024, 20:20, live on ORF SPORT +

Norway vs. Austria
Sun, 19 May 2024, 16:20, live on ORF SPORT +

Austria vs. Great Britain
Tue, 21 May 2024, 12:20, live on ORF SPORT +

Already played:

Austria vs. Denmark 1:5 (1:2,0:1,0:2)
Sat, 11 May 2024, Prague Arena, 16:20
Austria scorer: Manuel Ganahl (20)
Denmark goalscorers: Markus Lauridsen (14), Frederik Storm (17/SH1), Joachim Blichfeld (39, 59/PP1), Felix Scheel (54)