Defeat in only home game

The Czech national team started this game in Vienna with enormous pressure, effectively pinning the Austrian hosts in their own zone. Goaltender Bernhard Starkbaum had to show his ability time and again, keeping Austria from conceding an early goal.

However, Czechia opened the scoring in the 12th minute and continued to keep the pressure high. Austria were only able to match the Czechs' pace in the second period and created one or two good scoring chances. The best of them fell to Tim Harnisch, who was denied by the Czech goaltender when left unmarked on the power play.

At the other end, the twelve-time world champions were ruthless in taking their chances. The visitors scored twice in each of the second and third periods to secure a comfortable 5:0 victory. In two days' time, Austria will have the opportunity to challenge Czechia once again in the away game in Jindrichuv Hradec.

"We want to play against good opponents, and Czechia were an excellent opponent. From the second period onwards, we adapted better to the high-tempo game and were able to create some scoring chances," said head coach Roger Bader. "The Czechs naturally have the quality to turn our mistakes into goals. We want to take another step forward on Saturday."