U18 Women’s World Championship: Austria lose opening match against Italy in overtime

Austria’s U18 women’s national ice hockey team earned their first point at the U18 World Championship Division IA. In the opening game in Ritten, Italy, on Monday evening, they suffered a narrow 0:1 overtime defeat to the hosts. France are the next opponents tomorrow, Tuesday.

09 January 20231 min read

For 60 minutes, Austria and Italy went toe to toe in an open contest, demanding everything of each other. Neither team was able to capitalise on their respective power plays.

Austria were fortunate on two occasions when shots hit the post, including in the second period when Federica Boaglio, coming out of the penalty box, lifted the puck backhand onto the crossbar after a breakaway. The score remained 0:0. In the final period, the Austrians pushed once more for the lead, but without success.

Overtime ultimately brought the decision. The Austrians were quite literally in their own way, getting in each other’s way at the blue line, and Manuela Heidenberger gratefully accepted the opportunity to score Italy’s winner.

Head Coach Mario Bellina: “The disappointment is naturally great, especially because of the bitter ending. We fought, the players skated to their limit. We expected this tough game, but took too many penalties. We were unable to convert our chances and were also fortunate with two shots off the post. Now we need to recover quickly. France will not be an easier task. The group is very evenly matched; anyone can beat anyone.”