U20 World Cham­pi­onship: Austria lose 0:11 to Sweden in their opener

Featuring players who won gold at the U18 World Championship just under seven months ago, as well as exclusively players who were drafted in the last NHL Draft or are highly rated for the upcoming one, Sweden controlled the puck and the game from the opening face-off. 21:3 shots on goal in the first period alone tell a clear story. 

Austria, who had to do without Vinzenz Rohrer in their opener due to illness, threw themselves fully into the contest and at times showed promising signs on which they will build for the upcoming games. In goal, both Thomas Pfarrmaier and Benedikt Oschgan distinguished themselves, repeatedly receiving applause for their sometimes spectacular saves.

Initially, Pfarrmaier ensured that Austria trailed by only 0:2 after the opening 20 minutes. However, the Tre Kronor team increased their efficiency in the middle period and pulled away to 8:0.

At the start of the final period, the red-white-red team came close to scoring a consolation goal. In the end, however, they were beaten 0:11. Finn Van Ee was named Austria's Best Player.

Austria face Czechia on Wednesday from 00:30, followed by games against Canada after a rest day and Germany in their final preliminary-round match.

Kirk Furey, Austria Head Coach: "Sweden are a very good team. We did not start the game badly, but then took too many penalties. That gave Sweden the opportunity to take more and more control of the game. We set out to bring our own identity onto the ice, and we managed that at times. Now we need to continue working on our consistency. We have to put today's game behind us quickly. It is tough for the boys, but now we need to look ahead again immediately."

2023 IIHF WORLD JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP

December 26, 2022 – January 06, 2023, Halifax and Moncton (CAN)

Sweden vs. Austria 11:0 (2:0,6:0,3:0)
Mon, December 26, 2022, 19:30 (Mon, December 26, 2022, 14:30)

TICKET PRICES & SCHEDULE

The U20 World Championship on LIVE.eishockey.at

• Single-game ticket: EUR 8,90.-
• U20 World Championship Pass 1 (all games of the Austrian U20 national team – at least five games): EUR 39.-
• U20 World Championship Pass 2 (all of Austria's preliminary-round games + all relegation and final games (14-15 games with two relegation games – there may also be three due to the "Best-of-Three" format): EUR 49.-

Fixtures for the U20 men's national ice hockey team:

Czechia vs. AUSTRIA (Commentary by Michael Berger)
December 28, 2022, 00:30, Halifax

AUSTRIA vs. Canada (Commentary: Michael Berger)
30 December 2022, 00:30, Halifax

Germany vs. AUSTRIA (Commentary: Michael Berger)
30 December 2022, 22:30, Halifax

Final round/Relegation round

Quarter-final 1
02 January 2023, 17:00

Quarter-final 2
02 January 2023, 19:30

Quarter-final 3
02 January 2023, 22:00

Quarter-final 4
03 January 2023, 00:30

Semi-final 1
04 January 2023, 20:30

Semi-final 2
05 January 2023, 00:30

Bronze medal game for 3rd place
05 January 2023, 20:30

Final (Commentary: Michael Berger)
06 January 2023, 00:30

Relegation games (should Austria play in the relegation round)

Relegation Round, Game 1
02 January 2023, 15:30

Relegation Round, Game 2
04 January 2023, 17:00