KSV HIGH­LANDERS ARE CHAM­PIONS OF THE WIN2DAY AUSTRIAN WOMEN’S HOCKEY LEAGUE

The KSV Highlanders made a flying start to the final. As early as the second minute, Sara Confidenti impressed with a solo effort before setting up Gaja Pezdir, who slid the puck in for an early 1:0 with the help of Lakers goaltender Anja Adamitsch’s pad. The Styrians continued to control the first period but were initially unable to add to their lead.

It took just under seven minutes of the middle period for the next goal to be celebrated: on a shorthanded breakaway, Lena Dauböck set up Marijelle Dijkema, who made it 2:0. The Lakers rallied once again afterwards and created chances to pull one back, but were unable to beat Anna Horakova.

Horakova also impressed in the final period, keeping a clean sheet. The Highlanders ultimately saw the title home with confidence, as Lena Dauböck made it 3:0 with an empty-net goal. For KSV Neuberg Highlanders, it is their second Austrian championship title after winning the national title.

Goaltender Anna Horakova, who recorded a shutout in the final, was named the tournament MVP.

Lena Dauböck, KSV Highlanders: “The team showed an iron-clad defence and strong goaltending. I am so proud of our team for seeing it through to the end. Now we will celebrate properly.”

Alina Hinum, Lakers Kärnten: “The result in the final is naturally disappointing. But we are very proud of the silver medal. Next season, we will give everything again to get back to the final and perhaps emerge as winners then.”

Sabres secure bronze

Sabres St. Pölten claimed third place in the win2day Austrian Women’s Hockey League with a 4:1 victory over VSV Lady Hawks.

Sabres St. Pölten once again started the game far more actively but, as in the semi-final, again had problems converting their chances. The compact Villach side patiently waited for their opportunities, and they came.

In the eighth minute, Lian Chang set up AWHL top scorer Liga Miljone in the slot during a cleverly constructed attack, and she fired home to make it 1:0 for the Lady Hawks. This time, however, the Sabres responded promptly: just one minute after falling behind, the Lower Austrians successfully disrupted the Lady Hawks’ build-up play, and Madison Laberge set up captain Charlotte Wittich, who broke her team’s scoring drought at this tournament to level the game.

In the second period, the St. Pölten side took the lead for the first time that weekend: Hanna Obermayr won the puck along the boards and set up Kinga Jokai-Szilagyi, who scored the go-ahead goal. The Sabres appeared to have found their rhythm: in the 31st minute, Ashley Tashiuk converted a rebound from a Wittich shot to make it 3:1.

Madison Laberge put the finishing touch on the game in the 52nd minute. The Sabres ultimately secured the bronze medal with a 4:1 victory. The “Best-Player-Awards” went to Kinga Jokai-Szilagyi (SAB) and goaltender Jane Gervais (VLH).

Charlotte Wittich, captain of Sabres St. Pölten: “After missing out on the final and with the pressure of the past few weeks, we showed character after a difficult start and pulled ourselves together for a convincing victory.”

Elisa Brunner, VSV Lady Hawks: “The Sabres were the stronger team today, they skated more than we did and deserved to win.”win2day Austrian Women’s Hockey League:

Austrian Women's Hockey League

Final:
KSV Highlanders – Lakers Kärnten 3:0 (1:0,1:0,1:0)
Goals KSV: Pezdir (2./pp1), Dijkema (27./sh1), Dauböck (60./sh1,en.)

Third-place match:
Sabres St. Pölten – VSV Lady Hawks 4:1 (1:1,2:0,1:0)
Goals SAB: Wittich (9'), Jokai-Szilagy (23'), Taciuk (31'), Laberge (52')
Goals VLH: Miljone (8')