Austria successful against Italy too

In their second test within 24 hours, it was the visitors from Italy who made the better start to the game. David Kickert, replacing Bernhard Starkbaum, denied two good chances for the Azzurri early on. However, even Kickert was powerless against a shot from Italy forward Alex Petan, and the visitors led 0:1. (at 5.) Shortly afterwards, there was an unfortunate incident involving Austria defenceman Raphael Wolf, who had to be carried off the ice immediately and remained in the dressing room with a suspected serious knee injury. In the ensuing five-minute power play, Marco Rossi levelled the score at 1:1 with his first international goal. (at 10.) Roger Bader's charges were now in the ascendancy. However, a goal by Kilian Zündel was disallowed for a crease infringement. The sides also went into the first intermission level.

Austria made life difficult for themselves in the middle period due to a number of penalties. Nevertheless, their strong penalty kill came to the fore. Rossi and Brian Lebler also had two good chances around the midway point of the game. The penalty kill and power play had been clearly addressed over the past week, and it showed. Raphael Herburger deflected the puck in unstoppably on the power play. The second power-play goal was thus on the scoreboard. (at 33.)

Special teams continued to dominate proceedings for both sides in the final period. Austria's penalty kill worked superbly. The Italians found no way to establish themselves in the hosts' zone. And when the senior national team had opportunities of their own, they were clinical on the day. This was the case at 55., when Lukas Haudum bundled the puck over the line to all but decide the game. Patrick Spannring then delighted the home fans by making it 4:1.

Roger Bader's statement:
 “Today's game was played a little more robustly. It was a completely different game to the one against Hungary. I am definitely not satisfied with the first period; we played too much across and diagonally and turned over the puck too often. From the second period onwards, we really dug in and ultimately deserved to win.”

Austria's national team will travel to Bratislava tomorrow.

Austria without Wraneschitz, Schmidt, Schneider, Unterweger, Huber, Heinrich, Wukovits

Austria - Italy 4:1 (1:1/1:0/2:0)
Rossi (10.PP1), Herburger (34.PP1), Haudum (46.PP1), Spannring (59. EN) respectively Petan (5.)