U20 national team beats Norway in a shoot-out after 0:2 deficit

The first period offered a small taste of what Austria can expect when they face Norway at the World Championship in Slovenia: a close contest. Austria were slightly hesitant at the outset but settled from the tenth minute onwards. Initially, the two goaltenders – Benedikt Oschgan for the ÖEHV selection and Marcus Dehn for Norway – were the focus of attention. Just under three minutes before the first buzzer, Alieu Bah made it 1:0 for the visitors, beating goaltender Oschgan from the slot (17 min.).

Little changed in the nature of the game in the second period, with both teams continuing to contest a tight affair featuring plenty of battles. This was exactly how Head Coach Philipp Pinter had assessed the similarly matched teams before these warm-up games, with fine margins deciding victory or defeat. Norway were more clinical in front of goal: three minutes after the halfway point of the game, Rasmus Olsen Brekke extended Norway's lead to 2:0 (33 min.). 

Things briefly became heated in the final period following a foul by a Norwegian player, and Austria capitalised on the ensuing power play to pull back to 1:2 through Maximilian Kirchebner (49 min.). It was crunch time now, and Austria levelled the score as captain Thomas Klassek drove through and superbly fired into the far top corner for 2:2 (55 min.). The game went to overtime and ultimately to a shoot-out. Leon Kolarik, Johannes Neumann, Paul Sintschnig and Adrian Gesson scored there to seal the 3:2 victory for Austria. 

Head Coach Philipp Pinter analysed the opening game against Norway immediately after the final whistle: "It was an up-and-down game; we started too anxiously and intimidated. But from the tenth minute onwards, we recovered very well, had more time on offence, got more pucks to the net and supported each other more on the ice. We then created good scoring chances too, but went into the first intermission 0:1 down. We also lost the second period 0:1, but we had good moments there too; it was a lively back-and-forth. In the third period, it was an incredible comeback by the team. In summary: Norway had more of the game, more puck possession and good scoring chances too. Goaltender Benedikt Oschgan kept us in the game for a long time. In the end, it was a victory of character, a great team performance and a good battle. I am proud of this young group!" 

Austria continue at the St. Pölten Cup 2024 on Friday from 19:30 against Denmark – also World Championship opponents in December. The match will once again be available on the Krone.at livestream.

U20 men's national team – St. Pölten Cup 2024

Norway vs. Austria 2:3 SO (1:0,1:0,0:2,0:0,0:1)
Thu, 07 November 2024, 19:30, Sportzentrum Niederösterreich
Austria scorers: Maximilian Kirchebner (49 min./PP1), Thomas Klassek (55 min.), Johannes Neumann (65 min./decisive shoot-out attempt)

Further games:

Austria vs. Denmark
Fri, 08 November 2024, 19:30, Sportzentrum Niederösterreich - >> to the Krone.at livestream

Austria vs. Latvia
Sat, 09 November 2024, 15:30, Sportzentrum Niederösterreich >> to the Krone.at livestream

2025 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship Division IA

9 December 2024 - 15 December 2024, Bled (SLO)

Participants: Norway, France, Denmark, Austria, Hungary, Slovenia

Austria vs. France
Mon., 09 December 2025, Ledena dvorana Bled, 12:30
 
Norway vs. Austria
Tue., 10 December 2025, Ledena dvorana Bled, 16:00
 
Slovenia vs. Austria
Thu., 12 December 2025, Ledena dvorana Bled, 16:00

Austria vs. Hungary
Fri., 13 December 2025, Ledena dvorana Bled, 12:30

Denmark vs. Austria
Sun., 15 December 2025, Ledena dvorana Bled, 12:30

All information on the official IIHF website: https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2025/wm20ia

U20 team camp squad