Austria lose to Germany in World Cham­pi­onship opener

Following their lengthy preparations in Ferlach and Canada, including two warm-up games against Latvia (4:2) and the Czech Republic (3:6), the big day had arrived for the team led by Head Coach Philipp Pinter: Austria began their exciting World Championship campaign as underdogs against Germany at the spectacular Rogers Place – home of the Edmonton Oilers during the regular ice hockey season.

The DEB selection had suffered a 1:5 defeat to defending champions USA in their opening game. Germany were dominant in the first period, and Austria's goaltender Sebastian Wraneschitz had no shortage of work.

At the other end, the ÖEHV team proved efficient: on their first power play, Senna Peeters, following a pass from Martin Urbanek, fired a powerful shot into the far corner to make it 1:0 and give Red-White-Red the perfect World Championship start (at 3). Germany continued to exploit their physical superiority and Josef Eham equalised from close range to make it 1:1 (at 8). Austria responded with heart and passion, but Germany had 14:4 shots on goal by the end of the first period.

Another flying start in the second period

Austria also made a flying start to the second period. The Red-White-Red offence played boldly going forward, and Jonas Dobnig scored with a shot on the turn to make it 2:1 (at 22). Germany's response was not long in coming. Just under two minutes after Austria had regained the lead, Alexander Blank equalised (at 24).

Senna Peeters was then stopped by a hook. The forward stepped up to take the penalty shot but was denied by Germany's goaltender Florian Bugl (at 26). Shortly afterwards, Austria put themselves shorthanded twice, with David Reinbacher sent to the penalty box twice in succession. 

Germany made perfect use of this phase. Alexander Blank scored twice to complete a natural hat-trick and put the favourites 4:2 ahead (at 28, 32). Pinter's players then had to survive four difficult minutes after Luca Auer was sent to the penalty box for high-sticking.

The opening stages of the final period went back and forth. Austria tried to move quickly through the neutral zone and created two good chances to pull a goal back. Following a knee-on-knee hit by Luca Auer on Haakon Hanelt, the Styrian was ejected. Germany went on a five-minute power play. DEB player Maciej Rutkowski provided two minutes of relief during this difficult phase when he was called for slashing. When Luca Münzenberger was also sent off, Austria suddenly had a power play.

Senna Peeters had the chance to pull a goal back but was denied by goaltender Bugl. The Red-White-Red selection showed character and battled fiercely, while Finn van Ee came close to converting a rebound. Unfortunately, their spirited fight went unrewarded in the final minutes, and Austria had to accept a 2:4 defeat to Germany in their World Championship opener.

Head Coach Philipp Pinter after the game: "The disappointment is, of course, very great. We had hoped for and expected considerably more. Understandably, the boys started very nervously. We took the lead and then played better. The second and third periods were clearly better as well. The third period was how we had planned it. We led 1:0 and 2:1, and we had a penalty shot at 2:2. In the end, the details and the little things made the difference. We were unable to clear the puck when we had it under control. The most important thing we had set out to do was maintain a high intensity, and that was partly there; especially in the second and third periods, it was very good. The second point was discipline, tactically and, above all, staying out of the penalty box. Unfortunately, we did not manage that. We spent 17 minutes shorthanded, and that is not possible at this level. We will win few games from the penalty box, regardless of who the opponent is. The aim was to improve from period to period, and we achieved that. Now we need to improve from game to game. Today, we beat ourselves."

Sweden await on Friday

Things continue to come thick and fast for Austria. Just 40 hours after the opening face-off, the ÖEHV team will face Sweden on Friday, 12 August at 20:00 Central European Time (Friday, 12 August, 12:00 local time). Tre Kronor narrowly won their opening World Championship game against Switzerland 3:2 after leading 3:0.

Head Coach Philipp Pinter: "Sweden have been in a class of their own at senior and junior level for many years. Like the Finns, they sometimes seem to be playing a different sport. But we want to put in the best possible performance and give a good account of ourselves in this game too!"

U20 World Championship result, IIHF World Junior Championship

Germany vs. Austria 4:2 (1:1,3:1,0:0)
Thu, 11 August 2022, 04:00 (local time Wed, 10 August 2022, 20:00), Edmonton, Rogers Place
Germany goalscorers: Josef Eham (9th), Alexander Blank (24th, 29th/PP1, 32nd/PP1)
Austria goalscorers: Senna Peeters (3rd/PP1), Jonas Dobnig (22nd)

Group B standings (IIHF)

2022 IIHF World Junior Championship fixtures

9. - 20 August 2022, Edmonton (CAN)

Group A: Slovakia, Canada, Finland, Czechia, Latvia
Group B: USA, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Austria

Remaining schedule
Dates and times refer to our home time zone, with the local time given in brackets.

Austria vs. Sweden
Fri, 12 August 2022, 20:00 (Fri, 12 August 2022, 12:00), Edmonton, Rogers Place

Austria vs. USA
Sat, 13 August 2022, 20:00 (Sat, 13 August 2022, 12:00)

Switzerland vs. Austria
Mon, 15 August 2022, 20:00 (Mon, 15 August 2022, 12:00)