U18 National Team loses to Hungary in a shoot-out in Fondo

The usual feeling-out process at the start? Not a chance. Both teams came out flying. Austria had to kill two penalties early on, but successfully dealt with both shorthanded situations. Hungary took a 1:0 lead in the first period through Miklos Mathe in the tenth minute.

Shortly afterwards, Austria had its first power play but was unable to make use of the numerical advantage. The Hungarians were far more clinical in front of goal: Peter Lintner made it 2:0 (14th minute).

In the second period, the U18 team were unable to convert another power play opportunity into a goal – they lacked the finishing touch in front of goal. However, the penalty kill worked very well. As the middle period wore on, Austria fought to finally get on the scoreboard. And they did so on the next power play: Jonathan Oschgan scored to make it 1:2 (33). Austria then pushed for the equaliser, but were again unable to capitalise on a power play.

Red-White-Red began the final period shorthanded. Austria pushed forward and created chances, but Hungary’s netminder Bence Veres-Fucsku initially kept everything out. Until Jonathan Oschgan scored the equaliser for 2:2 five minutes from time, leaving the match completely open again.

Towards the end, Austria once again failed to make a numerical advantage count and then had to start overtime shorthanded, but survived it. The match had to be decided in a shoot-out. Hungary prevailed 2:1 and secured the 3:2 victory. Austria’s U18 ultimately finished fourth and last at the Four Nations Tournament in Fondo with a total of three points.

Head Coach Florian Mühlsteingave a brief assessment: "All in all, it was an educational tournament for us. The results were not what we had expected. However, we still have some players who were with the U20 this time, and there are also players I will be scouting over the course of the season. Basically, though, some players definitely took their chance to showcase themselves for the World Championship. Now it is about making the right adjustments with a view to the February break and then the World Championship!"

Four Nations Tournament Fondo (ITA)

Austria vs. Hungary 2:3 SO (0:2,1:0,1:0,0:0,0:1)
Sat., 09 November 2024, 10:00, Fondo
Austria scorers: Jonathan Oschgan (33/PP1, 55)

Previously played:

Slovenia vs. Austria 4:3 (1:1,1:1,2:1)

Fri., 08 November 2024, 16:00, Fondo

Austria scorers: Paul Oberhauser (20), Lukas Zach-Kiesling (31, 44/PP1)

Italy vs. Austria 2:3 SO (0:1,1:0,1:1,0:0,0:1)
Thu., 07 November 2024, 19:00, Fondo
Austria scorers: Ben Öfner (14), Tristan Söllinger (57), Lukas Zach-Kiesling (65/decisive penalty)