Narrow defeat for Austria’s U18 in World Cham­pi­onship opener against Germany

Austria’s U18 began their World Championship campaign at the Iscenter Nord in Frederikshavn, Denmark, against top-division relegated side Germany with goaltender Mika Haim and a bang: after exactly 27 seconds, Gregor Biber fired home to make it 1:0 for Austria (1.). 

The neighbours then took control and were considerably more powerful offensively than in the final World Championship warm-up on Friday, which Austria won 5:3 after 60 minutes. The team coached by Head Coach Philipp Pinter were unable to extend their lead on their first power play of the opening period, while the ÖEHV side, with goalscorer Gregor Biber sent to the penalty box, came through their first penalty kill unscathed towards the end of the first period. At the other end, goaltender Mika Haim preserved the 1:0 after 20 minutes.

Austria also emerged from the dressing room fully alert in the second period and got off to a flying start: Paul Reiner made it 2:0 77 seconds after the restart (22.). While the scorer of the 2:0 was in the penalty box, Tobias Schwarz pulled one back for the DEB team to make it 1:2 (28.). 

The Austrians were now able to make more of an impact offensively and close the gap in the shot statistics. Another penalty kill went without consequence, and shortly afterwards the Austrian players failed to capitalise on another power-play opportunity. Austria took another penalty towards the end of the second period, but held on to their narrow one-goal lead going into the second break.

The penalty kill was still ongoing at the start of the final period when David Lewandowski equalised for Germany to make it 2:2 (42.). A further 48 seconds later, Germany had turned the game around: Lenny Boos scored to give the favourites the lead for the first time (43.).

After making it 3:2, the team coached by Head Coach André Rankel played with composure and once again had more of the game. ÖEHV goaltender Mika Haim kept the deficit narrow and his team in the game. Austria then still had chances to equalise.

In the end, Head Coach Philipp Pinter took a risk, pulling goaltender Haim a minute and a half before the final buzzer. The Austrians were unable to find an equaliser, suffering a narrow 2:3 defeat to tournament favourites Germany in their World Championship opener. Austria are back in action against Japan at the Iscenter Nord on Monday from 16:30.

Head Coach Philipp Pinter analysed the game after the final whistle: "The disappointment is huge so soon after the game. We had an ideal start, taking the lead with Gregor Biber’s very first shot. As the game went on, the Germans got better and better, our players were a little nervous and then always half a step too late. We allowed too many turnovers and did not get the puck deep often enough to put more pressure on their defence, which was our aim. After making it 2:0, we took one or two silly penalties and the Germans punished us for them. Germany quickly turned the game around in the first two minutes of the final period. After that, we got back into the game better and also had good chances to equalise. It is a bitter defeat in the end, but all in all Germany deserved to win!"

Japan await on Monday

Austria are back in action against Japan at the Iscenter Nord on Monday from 16:30. Ahead of the next clash with the Japanese, Pinter is hoping for an improvement in performance, particularly mentally: "Some World Championship newcomers now understand what it means to play at a World Championship. I hope they have shaken off some of their nerves now and that we can put in a better performance against Japan and bounce back. It will not be an easy game; the Japanese are very lively and technically highly skilled. We have to play better if we are to pick up points!"

2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship Division IA

Austria vs. Germany 2:3 (1:0,1:1,0:2)
Sun, 14 April 2024, 13:00, Frederikshavn
Austria goalscorers: Gregor Biber (1.), Paul Reiner (22.)
Germany goalscorers: Tobias Schwarz (28./PP1), David Lewandowski (42./PP1), Lenny Boos (43.)

>> Austria’s official line-up

Further games:

Japan vs. Austria
Mon, 15 April 2024, 16:30, Frederikshavn (DEN) >> Livestream

Austria vs. Hungary
Wed, 17 April 2024, 13:00, Frederikshavn (DEN) >> Livestream

Denmark vs. Austria
Thu, 18 April 2024, 20:00, Frederikshavn (DEN) >> Livestream

Ukraine vs. Austria
Sat, 20 April 2024, 13:00, Frederikshavn (DEN) >> Livestream

All information on the official IIHF website

U18 World Championship squad: