Third game, third win – Austria make history

"We feel incredible. It's so much fun to celebrate with the boys after the win," beamed Benjamin Nissner, who scored the game-winning goal to make it 2-1 in the 45th minute in a power play. Before that, the two teams fought a battle on equal terms, with top-class scoring chances on both sides. Edelmetall prevented both Austria and Latvia from scoring in the first period.

There was a brief moment of shock at the start of the second period when Ramon Schnetzer limped off the ice after a blocked shot. The 29-year-old once again showed taking qualities and returned a short time later.

In the 26th minute, Tolvanen initially prevented the score from going behind. On the other hand, Latvia won the face-off in their own zone, but Austria followed up. Tim Harnisch finally got to the goal and had time and space in front of the goal. His shot slipped under Kristers Gudlevskis' pad to make it 1-0. In the 34th minute, Vinzenz Rohrer had the chance to make it 2-0, but was denied by the Latvian goalkeeper. Shortly afterwards, Simeon Schwinger also found a huge opportunity, but the lead remained narrow.

Just a few seconds after the start of the final period, Rudolfs Balcers put his team on the scoreboard and made it 1-1. Up until then there hadn't been a single power play on either side. In the 44th minute, Oskars Batna checked Dominic Zwerger away from the puck, who then stayed on the ice and went into the locker room for a quick look. As a result, he missed the renewed leadership from Benjamin Nissner. Fortune favoured Austria. The puck jumped behind Gudlevskis on his skate and rolled over the line. And Zwerger also returned shortly afterwards. 

The third place in the 2023 World Championship now put pressure on them, but Austria defended hard and consistently. 95 seconds before the end of the game, the opponent also pulled their goaltender, tried everything, but fell apart because of Austria's defense. Vinzenz Rohrer finally put the final point with the 3-1 into the empty net.

There have never been three wins in the first three games for Austria in the history of top-division World Championships. History is being written year after year. The five-goal comeback against Canada in 2024 was just as historic as the first quarter-final in 31 years in Stockholm in 2025. “Now we can talk about the quarter-finals, that is definitely the next goal,” confirmed Head coach Roger Bader, who said about the game: "Of course, this record makes me proud. We played against a strong opponent who had a lot of chances to score. What makes me particularly proud is how united the team is. We hardly need to coach the players on the bench because everything is working so well. They play in a disciplined manner, just as we planned in terms of the game system. We defend excellently and the team's fighting spirit is such that it gives you goosebumps. We also had a very good one today with Atte Tolvanen Goalkeepers. The fact that you earn your luck at the end happens in sports and also in ice hockey. They may have had more of the game, but we also had good chances to score. We always kept them on the outside and were able to keep them away from the so-called good ice.

Benjamin Nissner: "We said we would play well defensively today and score two goals up front. We managed to do that. Latvia are a very physical and skilled team. They can actually do everything, which makes it difficult. But we had Atte at the back who was incredible."

A real highlight game awaits us on Wednesday with hosts Switzerland, but they go into it as the clear underdog. Nissner: “We have nothing to lose, we’ll do our thing and see what happens.”

In addition to the Swiss legionnaires, this game is also for Austria Head coach Roger Bader, who comes from Switzerland, is something very special: "In your own stadium in front of 10,000 spectators, against a very strong team that is one of the favorites for gold, it's something special. They have four good lines, some even super good, six NHL players who are absolute top performers in their clubs. They bring in enormous quality, as do the players from the Swiss league. The game today took a lot of strength, let’s see how much energy we have left tomorrow."

2026 IIHF ICE HOCKEY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

May 15, 2026 - May 31, 2026, Zurich and Fribourg (SUI)
Defending champions: USA
Group A, Zurich: USA, Switzerland, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Austria, Hungary, Great Britain
Group B, Fribourg: Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Denmark, Slovakia, Norway, Slovenia, Italy

Schedule
Latvia vs. Austria 1:3 (0:0, 0:1, 1:2)
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Goalscorer Latvia: Rudolfs Balcers (41.)
Goalscorers Austria: Tim Harnisch (28th), Benjamin Nissner (45th/PP), Vinzenz Rohrer (60th/EN)
Game sheet

Austria vs. Switzerland
Wed., May 20, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1

Austria vs. Germany
Sat., May 23, 2026, 8:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF SPORT+

Finland vs. Austria
Sun., May 24, 2026, 8:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF SPORT+

USA vs. Austria
Tuesday, May 26, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Live on ORF 1

Already played
Great Britain vs. Austria 2:5 (2:3, 0:2, 0:0)
Sat., May 16, 2026, 12:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena, 7,974 spectators
Goalscorers Great Britain: David Clements (16th), Liam Kirk (17th)
Goalscorers Austria: Benjamin Nissner (3rd), Peter Schneider (7th, 27th), Paul Huber (10th), Leon Wallner (34th)
Game sheet

Austria vs. Hungary 4:2 (1:1, 0:0, 3:1)
Sun., May 17, 2026, 4:20 p.m., Swiss Life Arena
Goalscorers Austria: Vinzenz Rohrer (6th/PP), Dominic Zwerger (47th/PP), Thimo Nickl (48th, 60th)
Goalscorers Hungary: Istvan Sofron (12./PP), Peter Vincze (54./PP)
Game sheet

Ticketing
Information about World Championship ticket sales 2026.iihfworlds.com
Link to World Championship tickets for Zurich and Fribourg 
Link to individual games with Austria 
Link to World Championship packages with the Austria games