Upset against Switzer­land was within reach: Austria out of World Cham­pi­onship after prelim­i­nary round

Austria started the decisive game for a place in the quarter-finals against Switzerland with goalie Sebastian Wraneschitz in net. Both teams were without a point after three games, making the situation simple: the winner after 60 minutes, or after overtime/a penalty shootout, would advance to the knockout stage as the fourth-placed team in Group B. An intense, fast-paced game with a playoff feel developed from the outset. The team led by Head Coach Philipp Pinter took the lead with their first shot on goal. David Reinbacher fired from the blue line, Switzerland goalkeeper Noah Patenaude deflected the puck onto the post, and on the rebound captain Leon Wallner poked the puck over the line for 1:0 (at 9). Switzerland then pressed for an equaliser, but Austria survived their first penalty kill. On their second power play, the Swiss levelled at 1:1, as Joshua Fahrni beat Wraneschitz with a precise shot into the far corner (at 18).

Late equaliser for Austria in the second period

The two opponents continued their fierce battle for every inch of ice in this prestige clash during the second period. After winning possession in the offensive zone, Lukas Hörl had the 2:1 on his stick, but his shot rebounded off the goalkeeper’s left pad and onto the post. Austria had their best spell on their first power play. Senna Peeters sent a wrist shot off the crossbar. With five shots during the two-minute power play, the Red-White-Red put the Swiss netminder under pressure. Shortly after the power play ended, Lucas Thaler tested the Swiss goalkeeper with a good shot. Following a powerful rush down the left by Fabian Ritzmann and an excellent save by goalie Sebastian Wraneschitz, Jonas Taibel converted the rebound from close range to give Switzerland a 2:1 lead (at 35). In the final minute, the Austrians were able to establish themselves once more in the offensive zone. David Reinbacher fired from the blue line and Ian Scherzer deflected the puck into the net 25 seconds before the end of the period for the celebrated 2:2 equaliser (at 40).

High drama in the final period

High drama was guaranteed in the third period. The game grew more intense with every minute. It was end-to-end action. Both teams focused on avoiding mistakes defensively and finding the decisive goal at the other end. Just under eight minutes from the end, the first line of Leon Wallner, Oskar Maier and Lucas Thaler established themselves in the offensive zone with good forechecking, while Austria also closed the gap in shots on goal with every shift. With every passing minute, the upset – securing their first U20 World Championship win and a place in the quarter-finals – was within reach. Five minutes from the end, Lorenz Lindner was sent to the locker room for a hit from behind and received a five-minute penalty, which Maximilian Hengelmüller served in the penalty box. It was a foul with consequences: Switzerland scored the 3:2 through Attilio Biasca on the power play (at 56) and ultimately advanced to the quarter-finals. Austria’s summer U20 World Championship campaign in Canada is over, having finished with no points from four games. Leon Wallner was named Austria’s player of the game. The three best ÖEHV players of the tournament were forwards Senna Peeters, Jonas Dobnig and goalie Sebastian Wraneschitz.

Head Coach Philipp Pinter after the game: "The ending is obviously bitter after such a great performance in the second and third periods. We had the opposition under control, and to lose the game like that hurts me deeply for the players. The first period was a little too passive; we struggled to get into the game. We were lucky there. In the second period, we were evenly matched. In the third period, we played very strong hockey. I am truly proud of the team's development throughout the tournament. They gave everything, they stuck together as a team, and that was very positive. I really feel for them in this situation now, because they certainly deserved more today!"

ÖEHV Sporting Director Roger Bader on the game against Switzerland: "As Sporting Director, I am very proud of what the U20 national team achieved against Switzerland today. When you still have the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals with five minutes remaining in the final World Championship group game in the top division against Switzerland, that is something very special. It is a shame; naturally, the disappointment of having lost because of a penalty and a power-play goal prevails at first. The Swiss were better in the first period, and we have to acknowledge that without envy. The game was more evenly balanced in the second period, and in the third we were truly on a par with Switzerland. It really was on a knife-edge as to which side the winning puck would fall. The team can be truly proud!"

ÖEHV Sporting Director Roger Bader on the tournament: "We represented Austrian ice hockey well here in Edmonton and also received a lot of praise. The momentum from the World Championship in Tampere (FIN) also had an impact on the U20. We performed with greater confidence. The defeats against Sweden and the USA were to be expected. These two nations are competing for the medals and the title. The performance against Germany was good, and against Switzerland it was very good. All in all, we represented ourselves well. Many of the players will be involved again in December. They will be able to use the experience they have gained here, having seen what is and is not possible at this level, at the World Championship in Halifax."

Austria's U20 players will continue with the next World Championship over the Christmas period. Halifax and Moncton will host the IIHF World Junior Championship 2023 from 26 December 2022 to 5 January 2023.

U20 World Championship result – IIHF World Junior Championship

Switzerland vs. Austria 3:2 (1:1,1:1,1:0)
Mon, 15 August 2022, 20:00 (Mon, 15 August 2022, 12:00), Edmonton, Rogers Place
Switzerland goalscorers: Joshua Fahrni (18th/PP1), Jonas Taibel (35th), Attilio Biasca (56th/PP1)
Austria goalscorers: Leon Wallner (9th), Ian Scherzer (40th)

Group B standings (IIHF)

2022 IIHF World Junior Championship – fixtures

9. - 20 August 2022, Edmonton (CAN)

Group A: Slovakia, Canada, Finland, Czechia, Latvia
Group B: USA, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, Austria

Further games
The date and time refer to our home time zone; the local time is shown in brackets.

Austria vs. USA 0:7 (0:4,0:2,0:1)
Sat, 13 August 2022, 20:00 (Sat, 13 August 2022, 12:00), Edmonton, Rogers Place
USA goalscorers: Wyatt Kaiser (1', 12'), Matthew Coronato (3'), Red Savage (19'), Carter Mazur (28', 28'/PP1), Sasha Pastujov (60')

Austria vs. Sweden 0:6 (0:1,0:3,0:2)
Fri, 12 August 2022, 20:00 (Fri, 12 August 2022, 12:00), Edmonton, Rogers Place
Sweden goalscorers: Simon Edvinsson (13'), Isak Rosen (21'/PP1), Emil Andrae (35', 36' PP1), Fabian Lysell (50'/PP1), Theodor Niederbach (60')

Germany vs. Austria 4:2 (1:1,3:1,0:0)
Thu, 11 August 2022, 04:00 (local time Wed, 10 August 2022, 20:00), Edmonton, Rogers Place
Germany goalscorers: Josef Eham (9'), Alexander Blank (24', 29'/PP1, 32'/PP1)
Austria goalscorers: Senna Peeters (3'/PP1), Jonas Dobnig (22')