U20i: EA Oberöster­reich are Austrian cham­pions, Ujpesti Jegko­rong Akademia claim the title

The decisive fifth game at the Újpesi Jégcsarnok in Budapest, in front of 730 fans, was every bit as thrilling as the series to date. The Upper Austrians had previously won twice away from home last week – once 6:2 and once narrowly 1:0 – to take a 2:0 lead, and could have sealed the title on home ice.

However, the Hungarians hit back and won the following two games away in Linz, 3:0 on Thursday and 3:1 on Friday. The team coached by head coach Bálint Árkovics levelled the series to force a decider in Budapest.

The hosts took the lead in the first period through Barnabas Loczl (12.), before Luca Wimmer equalised on the power play 29 seconds before the first buzzer (20.). In the second period, the team coached by head coach John Bierchen went 2:1 ahead through another Luca Wimmer power-play goal (35.). However, the Hungarians found an answer shortly before the second intermission: Ferenc Laskawy made it 2:2 on the power play, 52 seconds before the second buzzer (40.).

That guaranteed a tense finish. The hosts took the lead in the final period, with Marton Nadasy making it 3:2 with another power-play goal (49.). Just under three minutes before the end of regulation, Ben Grasser gave the Upper Austrians cause to celebrate, equalising at 3:3 (57.). It was crunch time: no decision came in overtime, and Peter Simon converted the decisive attempt in the shootout.

After this thrilling series, it is confirmed: Eishockey Akademie Oberösterreich are Austrian champions of the U20 International League – 2023/24 season. Ujpesti Jegkorong Akademia win the decisive fifth game against the Upper Austrians 4:3 after a shootout, take the best-of-five series 3:2 and are champions of the U20 International League in the 2023/24 season.

U20 International League – 5th final game:

Ujpesti Jegkorong Akademia vs. Eishockey Akademie Oberösterreich 4:3 n.P. (1:1,1:1,1:1,0:0,1:0)

Sun, 17 March 2024, Budapest, Újpesi Jégcsarnok

Goalscorers for Ujpesti Jegkorong Akademia: Barnabas Loczl (12.), Ferenc Laskawy (40./PP1), Marton Nadasy (49./PP1), Peter Simon (65./decisive penalty)

Goalscorers for Eishockey Akademie Oberösterreich: Luca Wimmer (20., PP1, 35./PP1), Ben Grasser (57.)