Austria lose to Latvia again after a penalty shootout

Austria put up a strong fight against Latvia at the start of their World Championship preparations. While they took the lead twice on Thursday evening, it was the hosts who went ahead twice on Friday evening. In the 11th minute, Thomas Höneckl, who seized his opportunity against Latvia and was named Austria's Player of the Match, was beaten.

Midway through the second period, Nico Feldner capitalised on a Latvian error, raced through on goal unchallenged and coolly made it 1:1. The action then came thick and fast. Less than three minutes after the equaliser, Höneckl had no chance with a screened shot as Latvia regained the lead at 2:1. Two minutes later, Julian Metzler battled tenaciously for the puck in the offensive zone and was rewarded. Via Niklas Bretschneider, the puck reached Ian Scherzer, who scored his first goal in his second international match to make it 2:2.

In the final period, Latvia were pinned in the offensive zone for minutes at a time. Austria also had to kill a penalty following a minor penalty against Maximilian Rebernig. There was no opportunity to change for more than three minutes. The two U20 national team players Thomas Klassek and Patrick Söllinger demonstrated their qualities, while Thomas Höneckl also came up with save after save in goal.

After around seven minutes, Austria were able to make their first mark in the final period, but were held back once again by a penalty, this time against Kilian Zündel. Shortly before the end of regulation time, Austria, as on the previous day, had another good chance to score the winner. However, Emilio Romig was unable to get the puck past the Latvian netminder.

As overtime once again produced no decision, the game went to another penalty shootout. Romig was clinical, as was Nico Feldner afterwards. Scherzer, Rebernig and Maxa were unable to follow suit. Instead, Latvia equalised and, after a total of 14 penalties, ultimately left the ice as winners once again.

It meant captain Dominique Heinrich could not be given a gift in his 100th international match. Nevertheless, the team can head home satisfied.

This was also confirmed by Head Coach Roger Bader after the first week of preparations: “Those were two great games. Of course, it would have been nice to win one of them, but we picked up points in both matches and played openly. There were again phases today when Latvia were better and phases when we were better. After the short preparation for the two test matches, and given that some players played their last game three to five weeks ago, there was a lot to like in terms of effort and tactics. It was a good start. Now we need to take the next step.”

Five new players will join the team for that next step: Dominic Zwerger, Benjamin Baumgartner, Henrik Neubauer, Nico Brunner and Philipp Wimmer.

Gregor Biber, who received a positive assessment from Head Coach Roger Bader, will join the U18 next week, who will compete at the U18 World Championship Division IA in Frederikshavn (DEN) from 14–20 April. Lukas Bär and Armin Preiser are provisionally no longer in the squad.

Overall, Roger Bader is expanding the squad: “A few players are carrying knocks, so we decided to increase the size of the squad.”

The national team will convene in Villach on Monday for the second week of preparations. They will face Slovenia in test matches on Thursday in Ljubljana (SLO) and Friday in Villach.

World Championship preparation

Latvia vs. Austria 3:2 after penalty shootout (1:0, 1:2, 0:0, 0:0)
Fri, 5 April 2024, 18:00 (CEST), Riga (LAT)
Austria goalscorers: Nico Feldner (31th), Ian Scherzer (36th)
Latvia goalscorers: Martins Lavins (11th), Haralds Egle (34th)

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

Austria vs Slovenia
Fri, 12 April 2024, 18:00, Villach, live on LIVE.eishockey.at

Czechia vs Austria
Thu, 18 April 2024, 17:10, Budweis (CZE), live on ORF SPORT +

Austria vs Czechia
Sat, 20 April 2024, 18:00, Linz, live on ORF SPORT +

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

Austria vs Germany
Sat, 27 April 2024, 16:15, Zell am See, live on ORF SPORT +

Austria vs Canada
Sun, 5 May 2024, 19:00, Vienna, live on ORF SPORT +

Already played

Latvia vs Austria 3:2 after penalty shoot-out (0:1, 1:0, 1:1)
Thu, 4 April 2024, 18:00 (CEST), Riga (LAT)
Austria goalscorers: Leon Wallner (16), Julian Metzler (43)
Latvia goalscorers: Feliks Egils Gavars (26), Dans Locmelis (46)

2024 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Austria vs Denmark
Sat, 11 May 2024, 16:20, live on ORF 1

Austria vs Switzerland
Sun, 12 May 2024, 20:20, live on ORF SPORT +

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 +