Friday thriller: Austria lose to Latvia only in the penalty shoot-out

Image information: Austria (pictured: Lukas Haudum) were involved in a hard-fought battle with Latvia - Photo: Daniel Götzhaber

The ÖEHV selection has already been involved in several close contests with Latvia, who have been permanently established as an A-nation since 1997. Austria won the very first meeting in ice hockey history, at the 1936 Olympic Games, 7:1. At World Championships, they have so far recorded two victories: 5:2 in Hamar, Norway, in 1999, and 6:3 in Helsinki in 2013. In a total of 22 games, they have celebrated five wins and suffered 17 defeats.

The team coached by Head Coach Harijs Vitolins had opened the World Championship last Friday with a 1:4 defeat against the USA, then pushed hosts Finland all the way in Saturday's 1:2 loss, before recording their first win - 3:2 - against Norway on Monday. Before the game against Austria, the Latvians, who feature two familiar faces from the win2day ICE Hockey League in VSV's Renars Krastenbergs and Black Wings Linz's Andris Dzerins, played Czechia on Thursday and lost 1:5.

Compared with the game against Norway, Head Coach Roger Bader again made several changes to the line-up. Bernhard Starkbaum returned in goal in place of David Kickert, who was listed as the back-up goalie this time. Manuel Ganahl moved to left wing on the first forward line alongside Lukas Haudum and Marco Kasper. The second line around captain Thomas Raffl, with Benjamin Nissner and Peter Schneider, remained unchanged. Brian Lebler played on the left of the third line, with Ali Wukovits at centre and Paul Huber on the right. Nico Feldner moved to right wing on the fourth line with centre Oliver Achermann and Simeon Schwinger.

Clemens Unterweger partnered David Maier on the first defensive pairing. Dominique Heinrich once again faced the opposing forwards alongside Kilian Zündel. Erik Kirchschläger returned to the team and formed the third defensive pairing with Bernd Wolf. Dominic Hackl played with Nico Brunner. Philipp Wimmer had been suspended for one game by the IIHF for his hit on Norway's Eirik Salsten and was therefore unavailable against Latvia.

Austria made a good start to the first period in front of 8.516 fans at Tampere's Nokia Arena and immediately produced some good offensive plays. Latvia also brought good pace onto the ice. The result was an evenly matched contest, a classic battle for every inch of ice. Whenever the red-white-red players were able to establish themselves in the offensive zone, the Baltic side gave the ÖEHV selection little room.

It was noticeable that the Latvian defencemen gave Marco Kasper, who repeatedly charged forcefully towards the net, a thorough working-over in an attempt to intimidate him. However, the young forward was unfazed and went where it hurts. Both goaltenders, Bernhard Starkbaum for Austria and Arturs Silovs for Latvia, kept clean sheets for the opening 20 minutes.

The second period began with a flying start for Austria: Benjamin Nissner initiated an attack and passed to Thomas Raffl, who returned the puck to the centre. Nissner controlled the puck with his skate and fired home to make it 1:0 after exactly 70 seconds (22.). Little changed in the course of the game, with both teams continuing to play intense ice hockey in a match with a playoff feel.

Latvia equalised when Janis Jaks fired a sharp pass to the right for Rudolfs Balcers, who shot from the face-off dot and found the near corner to make it 1:1 (26.). Austria then had to kill two penalties, and Latvia struck again on the second. Karlis Cukste shot from the blue line, with Rihards Bukarts getting his stick on it to deflect the puck in for Latvia's 2:1 (30.).

Shortly afterwards, Austria had a great chance to equalise. Two Latvians were sent to the penalty box and the ÖEHV players made use of the 5:3 power play. Dominique Heinrich unleashed a powerful shot from the blue line to level the score at 2:2 (32.). Just under four minutes later, Latvia took the lead again. In a 2:1 situation, Rihards Bukarts and Rudolfs Balcers played a one-two, and Rudolfs Balcers made it 3:2 with his second goal (36.). Shortly before the second intermission, Lukas Haudum had a great chance to equalise when he was alone in front of goal, but goalie Silovs was able to save the puck.

At the start of the third period, Latvia initially sought to seal the game, but Austria held firm in the opening moments before growing into the game and clearly taking control. Following a spell of pressure and good play in the offensive zone, Kilian Zündel hammered the puck from the blue line towards goal and Thomas Raffl deflected it in to equalise at 3:3 (47.). Neither team was able to score the winner in regulation time, so the gripping Friday thriller went to overtime, where more exciting scenes followed.

After one minute, chaotic scenes unfolded in front of Silovs' goal. The puck was loose after a shot, but no Austrian player could sweep it over the line. At the other end, Austria were fortunate as Latvia hit both posts. Manuel Ganahl then had the chance to score the winner. The drama had turned into a thriller, and the game went to a penalty shoot-out.

Nikolajs Jelisejevs and Roberts Bukarts scored for Latvia, while Dominque Heinrich coolly converted his attempt for Austria. In the end, Brian Lebler was denied and Latvia won 4:3 after a shoot-out. Austria, who battled superbly and whose captain Thomas Raffl was named Player of the Game, were left with one point after a highly dramatic encounter. The ÖEHV selection now have four points from five games.

Head Coach Roger Bader was extremely pleased with the performance against Latvia and praised his team for a superb display: "I don't know when the last time was that a game like this was played against Latvia. In my view, we played a superb game. The first period was very good; we got into the game very well. Unfortunately, we had a few too many turnovers after taking the lead in the second period, and the final period was incredibly strong. We really should have won it in the 60 minutes; we pinned them back, you can say that. We were fortunate when they hit the post against us in overtime, but we also had excellent chances. Of course, we are happy to take this point, but after the game I almost have to say that we deserved the win with this performance!"

With the two remaining games against Finland and Great Britain in mind, Head Coach Bader is confident: "My team have good morale and very good energy. First of all, we will play the game against Finland; we will not simply give that one away. Of course, it is difficult against Finland, no question, but on Saturday we will also try to find a way to win. Then we have a rest day, and only after that will we turn our attention to Great Britain!"

Goalkeeper Bernhard Starkbaum was also impressed by the performance: "We played very well in the first and third periods and dominated the Latvians, but unfortunately made a few small mistakes in the second period that were quickly punished. I think we worked back well. There is often luck or bad luck involved in a shoot-out, as in this case." Starkbaum expects a similar match against Finland: "Nothing will change in terms of style; we have to stick to our game plan. We have already picked up points against two major nations; perhaps we will have a bit of luck and can pick up something again!"

The highlight game against hosts Finland follows on Saturday

Just under 18 hours after the final buzzer against Latvia, Austria take on hosts Finland in the sold-out Nokia Arena in the highlight game on Saturday at 15:20. Austria have yet to record a win over Finland in 15 games. Their best results to date were a 5:5 draw at the Netherlands Tournament in 1981 and a 3:3 result at the 2000 World Championship in Sankt Petersburg. On Thursday, Dallas Stars defencemen Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell joined the Finnish team, adding two more NHL players. ORF Sport+ will broadcast live.

13–29 May 2022
Hosts: Finland (Tampere & Helsinki)
Defending champions: Canada

Austria schedule

Latvia vs. Austria 4:3 after shoot-out (0:0,3:2,0:1,0:0,1:0)
Fri, 20 May 2022, 19:20, Nokia Arena Tampere
Latvia scorers: Rudolfs Balcers (26th, 36th), Rihards Bukarts (30th/PP1); Nikolajs Jelisejevs and Roberts Bukarts (shoot-out)
Austria scorers: Benjamin Nissner (22nd), Dominique Heinrich (32nd/PP2), Thomas Raffl (47th); Dominique Heinrich (shoot-out)

Austria vs. Finland
Sat, 21 May 2022, 15:20, live on ORF Sport+

Austria vs. Great Britain
Mon, 23 May 2022, 19:20, live on ORF Sport+

Already played:

Norway vs. Austria 5:3 (1:1,2:1,2:1)
Wed, 18 May 2022, 15:20, Nokia Arena Tampere
Norway goalscorers: Mats Rosseli Olsen (8th/SH, 48th/PP2), Andreas Martinsen (21th), Martin Røymark (32th), Martin Rønnild (60th/EN)
Austria goalscorers: Dominique Heinrich (7th/PP1), Lukas Haudum (27th/PP1), Peter Schneider (57th/PP)

Czechia vs. Austria 1:2 after a shoot-out (1:0,0:0,0:1,0:0,0:1)
Tue, 17 May 2022, 15:20, Nokia Arena Tampere
Czechia goalscorer: Roman Červenka (18th)
Austria goalscorers: Brian Lebler (60th), Peter Schneider decisive shoot-out goal (65th)

Austria vs. USA 2:3 after overtime (1:0,1:1,0:1,0:1)
Sun, 15 May 2022, 15:20, Nokia Arena Tampere
Austria goalscorers: Benjamin Nissner (15th), Paul Huber (35th)
USA goalscorers: Kieffer Bellows (35th), Adam Gaudette (49th/PP1), Luke Hughes (63th)

Sweden vs. Austria 3:1 (2:1,1:0,0:0)
Sat, 14 May 2022, 11:20, Nokia Arena Tampere
Sweden goalscorers: Joel Kellman (3rd), Max Friberg (17th), Joakim Nordström (33rd)
Austria goalscorer: Peter Schneider (20th)