World Cham­pi­onship: Austria beat France in over­time

Image information: Anna Meixner, Annika Fazokas and Theresa Schafzahl celebrate the overtime victory over France - Photo: GEPA pictures/Daniel Schönherr

Austria’s women started at Angers IcePark with goaltender Selma Luggin between the pipes. Both teams began nervously, owing to the tense situation. France had won their first two games 4:0 against Slovakia and 4:1 against the Netherlands. Austria had beaten the Netherlands 2:1 in a penalty shootout and Norway 4:3 in overtime after a real thriller. The early nerves soon subsided and a fast-paced match developed, with the hosts predictably applying plenty of pressure.

The Austrians stood their ground and also looked to create offensive opportunities. The game went back and forth at times, with Selma Luggin and France’s netminder Caroline Baldin making good saves to keep the game evenly balanced over the opening thirteen minutes. Then France’s Lea Parment let fly, catching the otherwise so assured Selma Luggin off guard with a long-range shot that found its way into the net for 0:1 (15). Austria’s women appeared stunned, but remained in the game thanks to plenty of fighting spirit, character and solid work in the one-on-one battles.

However, it was now also clear that Head Coach Jari Risku’s team had to take more risks as the game went on. A win after 60 minutes was essential to remain in the promotion race ahead of the final matchday on Saturday. The course of the game favoured the Austrians at the start of the second period. France’s Clara Rozier was sent to the penalty box for two minutes for tripping, and Austria made perfect use of the power play after just 12 seconds. Anna Meixner scored the equaliser for 1:1 53 seconds after the restart (21.). Buoyed by this quick success, the women kept pushing and turned the game around. Theresa Schafzahl won the puck behind the net, played it into the slot, suddenly got hold of the puck again and fired Austria into a 2:1 lead (24.).

"Les Bleus" were now forced to do more in attack. The hosts attacked vehemently, while Austria defended well and looked for counter-attacking opportunities. In a 3:1 situation, Selma Luggin made a superb save to make amends for her error on the 0:1. Nearly three minutes before the end of the period, captain Anna Meixner went one-on-one with Baldin and had the 3:1 on her stick. It therefore remained 2:1 to Austria after 40 minutes. High drama was guaranteed for the final period!

Three minutes into the final period, Austria had a good opportunity to extend their lead to two goals, but unfortunately the Austrians were unable to make the most of a power play. France pushed forward and the game became more exciting with every passing minute, a classic end-to-end affair. Austria were on course for victory until just under three minutes from the end, when Chloe Aurard levelled at 2:2 after a forceful drive (57th minute). Head coach Jari Risku then went all-in, pulling Selma Luggin from the ice with 53 seconds remaining and the score at 2:2. They were unable to secure victory in regulation time. In overtime, Theresa Schafzahl scored the winner for Austria after just 15 seconds, firing a powerful shot under the crossbar (61st minute). Captain Anna Meixner was named Austria's best player.

After their third win in three games – all in overtime or penalty shootouts – the ÖEHV team have six points. On Saturday, 30 April 2022 at 16:00, Austria face Slovakia in their final World Championship game in Angers. In the evening game, Norway and France, who are level at the top on seven points each, face one another. Austria must beat Slovakia within 60 minutes and then wait for the result of the evening game. That game must end in a draw after regulation time, in which case Austria would finish first on the basis of the head-to-head results. It remains exciting until the end in Division IA.

24–30 April 2022, Angers (FRA)

Austria vs. France 3:2 after overtime (0:1,2:0,0:1,1:0)
Thu, 28 April 2022, 19:30
Austria goalscorers: Anna Meixner (21st/PP1), Theresa Schafzahl (24nd, 61st)
France goalscorers:Lea Parment (15), Chloe Aurard (57)

Austria vs. Slovakia
Sat, 30 April 2022, 16:00

Already played:

Norway vs. Austria 3:4 after overtime (0:2,3:0,0:1,0:1)
Wed, 27 April 2022, 16:00
Goalscorers Norway: Emma Bergesen (27 / PP1), Une Bjelland (28), Lotte Pedersen (40 / PP2)
Austria goalscorers: Annika Fazokas (13'/PP2), Tamara Grascher (14'/PP1), Eva Beiter (53'), Anna Meixner (61')

Netherlands vs. Austria 1:2
Sun, 24 April 2022, 16:00
Austria goalscorer: Charlotte Wittich (32./PP; 65./penalty)