Austria lose third-place game against Norway in penalty shoot-out

The men’s national team leave Epinal (FRA) with mixed feelings. In the final game against Norway, they displayed lively, direct ice hockey. They created plenty of scoring chances and generated a great deal of activity in front of the Norwegian net. However, it was the Scandinavians who took the lead. Following a penalty against Ali Wukovits, Norway capitalised on the power play to make it 1:0 in the 5th minute.

In the 19th minute, the puck found its way behind Thomas Höneckl again. As announced, he was given the start today and was named Best Player after a strong performance. However, the goal did not count because the net had come off its moorings beforehand.

Shortly after the start of the second period, Norway did get their second goal. The Scandinavians capitalised on a 2:1 power play on the counter-attack to make it 2:0. Until the 30th minute, Norway were also the team dictating play. Austria gradually found their way back into the game and used their first power play to pull back to 1:2. Julian Metzler was the scorer, netting his first goal in his second international appearance.

The team led by Head Coach Roger Bader were also lifted by their first goal of the tournament. Barely a minute and a half after the goal that brought them back into the game, Nico Feldner scored the deserved equaliser for 2:2. Like the scoreline, the game remained completely open, with chances at both ends. While Thomas Raffl had the winning goal on his stick in the 56th minute, Thomas Höneckl kept his team from defeat at the other end.

With no decision in overtime either, the game went to a penalty shoot-out after a total of 65 minutes. Manuel Ganahl opened it skilfully, but no further Austrian shooter would score, while the Norwegians converted all their penalties to prevail 3:2 after a penalty shoot-out.

Head Coach Roger Bader: “It is a shame that we lost today, but we are saving the win for the World Championship. I am satisfied with the performance. Today, we improved the things we discussed after the final period against France, which I was not happy with. We still had a few difficulties at the start, as Norway are a good team. From the 30th minute onwards, we really settled into the game, and Thomas Höneckl also kept us in it. From the 30th minute onwards, we played a really good international game. That is how we have to play at this level. The final period was good, overtime was good, so I am satisfied.”

Thomas Raffl: “Today, we stuck more closely to the basics. Yesterday, we played right into their hands. After the 0:3 yesterday, everything went wrong. 24 hours later, you already have the next game. I think we came together very well as a team. Unfortunately, the game did not start the way we wanted it to again. In the end, it was a game on a knife-edge that either team could have won, with the Norwegians eventually winning in a penalty shoot-out. You always have to take positive things from a tournament like this. Many players were involved for the first time, and many players delivered very good performances. We will need that at the World Championship. The performance still needs to improve by then.”

Thomas Höneckl: “It is always an honour and a great experience to be with the national team. I think we were a little hesitant and found it a bit difficult to get into the game. In the second half of the game, we found our game and our tempo, and put in a solid performance. It was a very solid end to the tournament. Of course, it is always good when you make a few good saves, but ultimately it is the win that counts, and unfortunately we were unable to take that with us. The lads put in a tremendous effort and blocked a lot of shots.”

Four Nations Tournament

09–10 February 2024, Epinal (FRA)

Third-place game:

Austria vs. Norway 2:3 after a penalty shoot-out (0:1,2:1,0:0,0:0,0:1)
Sat, 10 February 2024, 16:00, live on ORF SPORT +
Austria scorers: Julian Metzler (34th), Nico Feldner (35th)
Norway scorers: Thomas Olsen (5th/PP1, 22th), Viktor Granholm decisive penalty

Semi-final:

France vs. Austria 6:0 (2:0,2:0,2:0)
Fri, 09 February 2024, 20:00
Goalscorers France: Tomas Simonsen (15th/PP1), Tim Bozon (19th), Aurélien Dair (31th, 41st), Charles Bertrand (34th/PP1), Kévin Bozon (43rd)