U18 national team avoid rele­ga­tion

Austria's U18 national team retained their place in the division at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship, Division I, Group B in Asiago, but had to wait anxiously until the penultimate tournament game between Slovenia and Poland had finished.

The objective of promotion was clearly missed and, after an unfavourable course of the tournament, the ÖEHV side suddenly found themselves fighting against relegation. Head Coach Roger Öhman's team beat Poland 5:2 after defeats to Italy (1:2), Slovenia (1:4) and Hungary (0:4). Jonas Dobnig (at 17 and 49), David Cernik (at 31) and Ian Scherzer (at 37 and 40) scored the goals in this crucial game, which ultimately secured their place in the division.

Following a heavy 4:12 defeat to Ukraine on the final day – Johannes Tschnurnig (at 22), Ian Scherzer (at 37), Patrick Sollinger (at 48) and Luca Auer (at 58) scored for Austria – the red-white-red side had to wait until after the Slovenia v Poland match. After Slovenia convincingly beat Poland 6:1, relegation was averted from Austria's perspective. Poland are relegated. Hungary are promoted after five wins in five games.

Ukraine - Austria 12:4 (4:1,5:2,3:2)
01 May 2022, 12:30, Asiago
Austria scorers: Johannes Tschnurnig (at 22), Ian Scherzer (at 37), Patrick Sollinger (at 48), Luca Auer (at 58)

Austria - Poland 5:2 (1:0,3:2,1:0)
29 April 2022, 12:30, Asiago
Austria scorers: Jonas Dobnig (at 17 and 49), David Cernik (at 31), Ian Scherzer (at 37 and 40)

Austria - Hungary 0:4 (0:2,0:1,0:1)
28 April 2022, 12:30, Asiago

Austria - Slovenia 1:4 (0:2,1:2,0:0)
26 April 2022, 16:00, Asiago
Austria scorer: Alexander Rupnik (at 25)

Italy - Austria 2:1 (1:1,1:0,0:0)
25 April 2022, 19:30, Asiago
Austria scorer: Jakob Lippitsch (at 5)

Table: