U18 World Cham­pi­onship Divi­sion IA: Austria cele­brate 4:1 win over Slovenia

Austria's U18 team, once again starting the game with goaltender Luca Haitzmann between the pipes, made a good start and took a 1:0 lead through Leon Kolarik after just under eight minutes. A quick double strike gave the red-white-red players a comfortable three-goal advantage. 

Leon Buzek first made it 2:0 (14.) before Paul Oberhauser extended Austria's lead to 3:0 exactly 02:03 later (16.). Slovenian keeper Gal Hebar's day was over early in the first period, with Luka Dolžan taking over in goal for the Risi after the 0:3 scoreline.

The ÖEHV selection initially remained in control in the second period, killed off their first penalty and were unable to capitalise on their first power play midway through the game. 22 seconds after Austria's penalty had expired, Slovenia, who had won their opening match against Kazakhstan 3:2 after a penalty shoot-out, pulled one back through Jaka Rakovič to make it 1:3 (33.). Slovenia were now able to make the game more open, but Austria took a two-goal lead into the final period. 

The team coached by Sabahudin Kovačevič was now forced to play even more offensively and pressed for a goal to cut the deficit. Slovenia made significant inroads in the shot count, but Austria's defence, together with goaltender Haitzmann, stood firm. Exactly three minutes before the end, Slovenia pulled their keeper for a sixth skater for the first time. 

They did so again just under a minute before the end. Manuel Wadel sealed the 4:1 victory with an empty-net goal 28 seconds before the final buzzer (60.), giving Austria's U18 their first World Championship win and first three points following their opening defeat to Denmark.

Head Coach Florian Mühlstein was pleased with his team's performance: "The first period was definitely better than against Denmark. The boys played well and got the puck to the net. We were able to impose our game on the opposition, were dominant and took our chances. We became a little careless in the second period and the intensity was no longer there. In the final period, the players became a little nervous about defending the lead. But that improved again. Overall, though, they are really trying to implement the structure that we set out and give them. We will use the rest day for a training session and video analysis to prepare for Ukraine. Ukraine are a very strong opponent. They dominated against Denmark, but the Danes were more efficient. In addition to the pre-scouting we already have, we will take another close look at Ukraine to see what can help us, and then we will go again!"

Following a rest day, Austria's U18 men resume their World Championship campaign in Hungary on Wednesday. Ukraine await from 12:30, having beaten hosts Hungary 7:1 in their opener before suffering a 1:5 defeat to Denmark in their second game.

2025 IIHF ICE HOCKEY U18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DIVISION I, GROUP A

20 - 26 April 2025, Szekesfehervar (HUN)
Participants: Denmark, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Slovenia, Ukraine, Austria

Austria vs. Slovenia 4:1 (3:0,0:1,1:0)
Mon, 21 April 2025, 16:00, Szekesfehervar
Austria goalscorers: Leon Kolarik (8.), Leon Buzek (14.), Paul Oberhauser (16.), Manuel Wadel (60./EN)
Slovenia goalscorer: Jaka Rakovič (33.)

Other matches:

Ukraine vs. Austria
Wed, 23 April 2025, 12:30, Live stream on IIHF.TV

Austria vs. Kazakhstan
Thu, 24 April 2025, 16:00Livestream from IIHF.TV

Austria vs. Hungary
Sat, 26 April 2025, 16:00Livestream from IIHF.TV

Already played:

Denmark vs. Austria 5:3 (3:1,2:1,0:1)
Sun, 20 April 2025, 12:30
Denmark scorers: Mads Klyvo (3', 6'), Oliver Larsen (17', 37'), Lasse Baerentsen (35')
Austria scorers: Luc van Ee (8'), Kevin Mandl (36'), Leon Kolarik (60'/PP1)
Game Sheet

Official website of the U18 World Championship Division IA with all results and the current standings