Austria’s U18 men lose 2:7 to hosts Latvia

As in the win against Norway, the red-white-red side started with Luca Haitzmann in goal and gave Latvia’s physically extremely strong top-division players an intense battle in the opening period. Just under two minutes before the end of the period, Austria’s U18 went on their first penalty kill, with Alberts Šmits putting Latvia 1:0 ahead after just five seconds (19.). Just 39 seconds later, the quick double was complete: Kristiāns Utnāns scored on the rebound to make it 2:0 (19.).

Austria were initially unable to capitalise on a power play in the second period, but four minutes later Jonathan Oschgan fired home to reduce the deficit to 1:2 (29.). On another power play, the U18 had two or three chances to level the score. Latvia made better use of a power play: Daniels Serkins scored with a well-placed shot to make it 3:1 (36). The hosts quickly added another goal, with Roberts Jānis Polis firing into the near corner to make it 4:1 (38.). 

Latvia left nothing to chance in the final period and soon made it 5:1: Kristiāns Utnāns scored from the left face-off circle (47). After Kristofers Jaks made it 6:1 (49.), goaltender Haitzmann had had enough, with Leandro Djuric coming on for the final almost eleven minutes. Latvia could no longer be stopped, as Ralfs Latvens converted a rebound to make it 7:1 (52.).

Two and a half minutes before the end, Paul Sintschnig drove in front of goal from the right after a superb pass and scored to make it 2:7 (58.), which was also the final score.   

Austria compete in the U18 World Championship Division I, Group A and, following last year’s sensational bronze medal in Frederikshavn, will be looking to make their mark again in Szekesfehervar in April 2025. Austria’s third opponent, Denmark, will also be a direct World Championship rival in Hungary. Like Norway, Latvia will compete in the USA – in Frisco and Allen, Texas – at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship in April.

Head coach Florian Mühlstein: "Individual mistakes, especially in the first period, left us 0:2 behind. When we are in the penalty box, it is difficult against nations like these. The opposition’s skill level was good, but it was still a good test for us. Naturally, the players are down after the defeat. For us coaches, it was good to see what this team is capable of. If we could play at this level more often, that would of course be good for the whole team. The potential is there."

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U18 Men’s National Team Four Nations Tournament (LAT)

Austria vs. Latvia 2:7 (0:2,1:2,1:3)
Fri, 07 February 2025, 18:30 (19:30 local time), Jelgava
Austria scorers: Jonathan Oschgan (29.), Paul Sintschnig (58.)

Other game:

Austria vs. Denmark

Sat, 08 February 2025, 12:00 (local time 13:00), Jelgava

Already played:

Norway vs. Austria 2:4 (1:2,0:1,1:1)
Thu, 06 February 2025, 15:00 (16:00 local time), Jelgava
Austria scorers: Nico Uschan (2./PP1), Leon Kolarik (5., 59.), Paul Sintschnig (38.)

2025 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division IA

20 April 2025 - 26 April 2025, Szekesfehervar (HUN)

Participants: Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Austria, Hungary, Denmark, Slovenia

Denmark vs. Austria
Sun, 20 April 2025, 12:30, Alba Arena

Austria vs. Slovenia

Mon, 21 April 2025, 16:00, Alba Arena

Ukraine vs. Austria

Wed, 23 April 2025, 12:30, Alba Arena

Austria vs. Kazakhstan

Thu, 24 April 2025, 16:00, Alba Arena

Austria vs. Hungary

Sat, 26 April 2025, 16:00, Alba Arena