AUT vs. LAT - Thrown in at the Deep End

"Training is tough, especially after a break like this, when you really had to wind down after such a season. It takes a lot of hard work. National team training sessions are always of a high standard, with plenty of skating. We do not have much time to think about whether we are in shape or not. We are thrown in at the deep end and it all happens relatively quickly," explains Felix Maxa as preparations for the World Championship get under way in week #1, with the two warm-up games against Latvia, bronze medallists at the 2023 World Championship, awaiting.

The focus now is primarily on getting back into rhythm, Head Coach Roger Bader: "It is important for the players to get match practice again. I do not have any great expectations. Performance takes precedence over the result. Of course, you always want to win and that is what we want in these two games as well. The key is to make a good start to the World Championship campaign."

The anticipation was and remains high, Dominique Heinrich: "It is great fun. I am pleased that we are here together and training again. The team is looking good. Our first objective is to implement Roger’s instructions for our playing system."

And to immediately build the right mindset for the coming weeks, as Felix Maxa explains: "First and foremost, we need to find our rhythm from the very first second and set the tone that the national team stands for, because that is what makes us successful. With Latvia, we have an opponent that will ruthlessly punish our mistakes. That is where we need to start: dictating the game, showcasing our style of play, performing like an aggressive, entertaining team that makes few mistakes and plays forward. We want to put that into practice, and then we need to win as well. That mindset of trying to win every game is what makes you successful. Also in the long run."

And everyone will also be looking to put themselves forward for the next week of World Championship preparations, Dominique Heinrich: "Everyone is under a certain amount of pressure because they want to be in the squad in mid-May."

That bigger picture is exactly what the Head Coach has in mind: "Over the coming weeks, we will also build up athleticism and fitness. Team training sessions are completed at a high tempo, with additional sessions in the weight room. More than during the season normally. We see the bigger picture, and that is the World Championship."

Roger Bader also takes plenty of time for personal conversations with his players, as Felix Maxa reveals: "Roger is a coach who responds to the players and personally looks at how a player is doing."

The national team relocated to Riga on Wednesday morning and will have another training session in the evening. The first two warm-up games in preparation for the World Championship will take place at 18:00 on Thursday and Friday. Both games will be streamed on LIVE.eishockey.at streamed.

World Championship preparation

Latvia vs. Austria
Thu, 4 April 2024, 18:00 CEST, Riga (LAT)
Live on LIVE.eishockey.at

Latvia vs. Austria
Fri, 5 April 2024, 18:00 CEST, Riga (LAT)
Live on LIVE.eishockey.at

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

Austria vs. Slovenia
Fri, 12 April 2024, 18:00, Villach

Czechia vs. Austria
Thu, 18 April 2024, 17:10, Budweis (CZE)

Austria vs. Czechia
Sat, 20 April 2024, 18:00, Linz

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

Austria vs. Germany
Sat, 27 April 2024, 16:15, Zell am See

Austria vs. Canada
Sun, 5 May 2024, 19:00, Vienna

Tickets for all home games are now available HERE.

2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship

10–26 May 2024
Hosts: Czechia
Group A – Prague: Canada, Finland, Switzerland, Czechia, Denmark, Norway, Austria, Great Britain
Group B – Ostrava: USA, Germany, Sweden, Slovakia, Latvia, France, Kazakhstan, Poland

Schedule

Austria vs. Denmark
Sat, 11 May 2024, 16:20

Austria vs. Switzerland
Sun, 12 May 2024, 20:20

Canada vs. Austria
Tue, 14 May 2024, 20:20

Finland vs. Austria
Thu, 16 May 2024, 16:20

Czechia vs. Austria
Fri, 17 May 2024, 20:20

Norway vs. Austria
Sun, 19 May 2024, 16:20

Austria vs. Great Britain
Tue, 21 May 2024, 12:20

Head to Head AUT vs. LAT