U20 World Cham­pi­onship: Austria lose to Denmark – come­back effort goes unre­warded

Austria also began their third World Championship game at the Tüskecsarnok against Denmark with first-choice netminder Benedikt Oschgan and had to kill a penalty after just a few seconds.

The Danes applied aggressive forechecking in the opening minutes, and Austria's players took some time to find their way into the game. Following a quick Danish attack, netminder Oschgan initially stopped the shot, but the puck was loose and Daniel Olsson made it 1:0 (10).

The team coached by head coach Philipp Pinter found the right response just 37 seconds later: Luca Auer intercepted a cross-ice pass in Denmark's defensive zone and fired a pass to Ian Scherzer, who one-timed it home to make it 1:1 (11). At the end of the first period, the ÖEHV side had their first power-play opportunity but were unable to capitalise on the numerical advantage.

In the second period, Austria raised the tempo and tested the opposing net, guarded by Kristers Steinbergs, more frequently, but despite an 8:2 shot ratio in the opening ten minutes of the middle period, they could not find a breakthrough. Denmark had a power play shortly after the halfway mark, but Austria did not concede.

The game was already developing into a nerve-racking battle. Denmark, still without a point after two World Championship games, had their backs against the wall and continued to play with great intensity. Shortly before the end of the period, Austria had to kill another penalty. Denmark capitalised late in this phase to take a 2:1 lead: Anton Linde set up Albert Schioldan, who scored from close range (39).

Comeback effort after falling 1:4 behind

Trailing, Austria were now forced to play more offensively in the final period. Following a fine Danish attack down the left, it was suddenly 1:3, as Oliver Marloth converted a cross-ice pass directly from close range (44). Just 83 seconds later, Denmark extended their lead to 4:1, with Hjalte Thomsen finishing off a quick combination (46).

Martin Reder then replaced Benedikt Oschgan in goal. The Austrians fought their way back into the game: Florian Lanzinger fired home to reduce the deficit to 2:4 (49). Austria then pressed for another goal and pinned Denmark back for spells. Following a scramble, Ian Scherzer forced the puck over the line to make it 3:4 (57).

High drama at the end: in the final minute, the ÖEHV side had a power play and also pulled netminder Reder. They could not find an equaliser, however, and Austria had to accept their first World Championship defeat, 3:4, but remain in the promotion race. Forward Tobias Piuk was named Austria's player of the game.

Head coach Philipp Pinter analysed the game shortly after the final buzzer: "The team looked nervous at the start. We made a few individual mistakes that had not happened before. We were not disciplined enough either and took silly penalties at unfavourable times. Our decision-making was a little slow at the beginning too, and there were some wrong decisions; we gave away far too much. As expected, Denmark were a very good team, very strong skaters, and put us under huge pressure at times. From the middle of the game onwards, there were again quite a few positives. The boys did not give up at the end either; they battled. We found our way back into our game well. Our players then played with aggressive forechecking and tactical discipline, which allowed us to put the opposition under pressure too. With a little more time, we might have been able to turn the game around, but it was a deserved defeat. When I see how we finished, the boys are ready. We have another difficult opponent in France tomorrow, but everything is in our own hands and we want to secure the next win!"

France await on Thursday

The ÖEHV side are straight back in action on Thursday at 16:00 – live on LIVE.eishockey.at – against France, who beat Denmark 6:4 on the opening day, laboured to a 5:3 win over Japan in their second game and suffered a 0:4 defeat to tournament co-favourites Kazakhstan on Wednesday.

In the second game of the third World Championship matchday, Hungary lost 4:5 to Japan after overtime, although the hosts had led 4:3 until 19 seconds before the end of regulation time

2024 IIHF Ice Hockey U20 World Championship Division IA

Austria vs. Denmark 3:4 (1:1,0:1,2:2)
Wed, 13 December 2023, 19:30
Austria scorers: Ian Scherzer (11, 57), Florian Lanzinger (49)
Denmark goalscorers: Daniel Olsson (10th minute), Albert Schioldan (39th minute/PP1), Oliver Marloth (44th minute), Hjalte Thomsen (46th minute)

Further matches:

France vs. Austria
Thu., 14 December 2023, 16:00, live on LIVE.eishockey.at

Austria vs. Kazakhstan
Sat., 16 December 2023, 19:30, live on LIVE.eishockey.at

Already played:

Austria vs. Hungary 3:2 (1:1,1:1,1:0)
Mon., 11 December 2023, 19:30
Austria goalscorers: David Cernik (10th minute/PP1, 32nd minute), Gregor Biber (60th minute)
Hungary goalscorers: László Farkas (6th minute/PP1), Bendegúz Dobos (39th minute/PP1)

Japan vs. Austria 2:5 (1:2,0:3,1:0)
Sun., 10 December 2023, 19:30
Japan goalscorers: Tyler Serino Maxner (20th minute), Taisetsu Ushio (59th minute)
Austria goalscorers: Ian Scherzer (9th minute/PP1), Jakob Lippitsch (18th minute), Luca Erne (35th minute), Paul Reiner (37th minute), Jonas Dobnig (38th minute)

Further information, standings and statistics are available on the official IIHF website