Austria’s national ice hockey team suffered its first defeat in the first game at the start of the 2024 Germany Cup.
Despite a strong performance, head coach Roger Bader’s team narrowly lost 1-0 at the start of the 37th edition of Slovakia’s traditional four-nation tournament in Landshut, Bavaria, and this time they were only narrowly unable to reward themselves with anything worth counting.
The Slovaks initially started the game better and managed to cause danger again and again in front of the goal of ÖEHV goalie David Kickert, whose backup Capitals goalie Sebastian Wraneschitz was called up.
After a good 13 minutes, the Slovaks’ time has come: Cehlárik uses preparatory work from Cingeľ and Mudrak to take a 1-0 lead (14th), which also means the score at halftime.
ÖEHV team with chances – but without success
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Red-White-Red comes out of the first break significantly improved and can also cause danger. Among others, Baumgartner, who is ideally served in the slot, has the chance to make it 1-1 in front of Slovakia goalie Elias, but his shot is too central (36th).
Shortly after the restart, the equalizer was almost equalized in the third third, but Nickl also failed due to the strong Elias. Then it goes back and forth, so both teams have a chance of scoring. In the final minutes, Austria also launched a good final offensive, but Wukovits was unable to convert the puck in front of the goal a few minutes before the end (55′).
So in the end it remains a bitter 0-1 from the perspective of the ÖEHV team, which sold itself dearly against the favored Slovaks. Austria is currently in fourth and last place in the table, Slovakia is first.
Austria’s next opponent is Denmark (9.11), which has to face hosts Germany in the evening (from 7:45 p.m./LIVE-Ticker >>>).
Ranking: Austria’s best ice hockey cracks of all time
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Ah, the sweet thrill of defeat! Austria’s national ice hockey team has opened their 2024 Germany Cup campaign with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for a celebratory ice cream after a 0-10 thrashing – that’s right, they lost 1-0. You’d think that with all those chocolate mountains, they’d have found a way to convert their chances into something a tad sweeter! Yet here we are, in the 37th edition of a tournament named after a country that seems to have perfected the art of relentless disappointment.
Now, let’s not be too harsh on our Austrian lads. Head coach Roger Bader’s team put in a commendable performance, even if commendable in sports translates to “We tried really hard but forgot how to score.” They were up against Slovakia – the team that plays hockey like Mozart composed symphonies: graceful, precise, and ultimately, they hit the right notes more frequently!
From the get-go, it was Slovakia who warmed up their engines first, zipping dangerously close to ÖEHV goalie David Kickert’s net. I mean, let’s talk about goalies for a moment – they’re like the bouncers of a nightclub, standing there trying to keep everyone out while looking intimidating. And right on cue, Kickert’s backup, the Capitals goalie Sebastian Wraneschitz, was called up, which sounds like the sort of event you schedule on your calendar around mid-November – “Backup goalie day!”
Then came the Slovaks, who opened the scoring with the finesse of a chef flipping pancakes at a children’s party. Cehlárik capitalized on a masterful setup from his teammates to slip one past Kickert, and just like that, the scoreboard lit up: 1-0. Halftime had arrived, and I can only imagine the coach’s strategy talk was a blend of “Don’t panic!” mixed with a generous helping of “Just… score already!”
ÖEHV Team: A Symphony of Chances… and Misfires!
Now, fast forward to the second period! You know what they say: the only thing better than a good goal is a good chance— which, surprisingly, doesn’t translate to actual points on the scoreboard. The Austrians emerged from the locker room like men possessed – notably, Baumgartner came inches from leveling the game but discovered that shooting straight at the goalie is a strategy that rarely pays off! It’s like going to the buffet and only loading up on salad. Not a winning strategy!
What followed was a nail-biting back-and-forth, one of those classic encounters where you’re left screaming at the screen as if yelling loud enough might actually change the outcome. Austria cranked up the intensity, swarming the Slovak net like ants at a picnic. But alas, it ended with a bitter realization: sometimes, not everything on the table is what it seems. Wukovits missed a golden opportunity right before time expired, as if the game itself was a cruel game of ‘who can mess up the most.’
In the end, Austria found themselves in fourth place as the scoreboard showed a stark 0-1, a folly of missed chances and the harsh reality of sporting life. Don’t fret, though! Their next opponent is Denmark, which might just be the cure to their titular woes. After all, when you can’t score, look to your Danish neighbor who, as per tradition, always seems to find a way to get the pastry just right!
So there you have it, folks! The art of ice hockey is one that combines precision, teamwork, and the ability to find the back of the net. For Austria, it seems a little more practice with shooting could go a long way—perhaps they should hire a shooting coach who moonlights as a magician. After all, turning chances into goals is a bit like making the perfect soufflé: you really need to get the timing right!
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice and your hopes high – though not too high, we wouldn’t want you to get your head stuck in the rafters!
Austria’s national ice hockey team experienced a disappointing start to the 2024 Germany Cup, facing their first defeat in the opening match.
Despite showing resilience and skill throughout the game, head coach Roger Bader’s players fell short, narrowly losing 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter during the 37th edition of Slovakia’s prestigious four-nation tournament held in Landshut, Bavaria. The Austrian team battled hard but ultimately couldn’t translate their efforts into tangible success.
The Slovaks seized the early advantage, initiating the game with impressive momentum and creating numerous scoring opportunities against ÖEHV goalie David Kickert, who was supported by his backup, Capitals goalie Sebastian Wraneschitz, after a late call-up.
At the 14-minute mark, Slovakia capitalized on a well-executed play, as Cehlárik scored with help from Cingeľ and Mudrak, giving the Slovaks a 1-0 lead that remained unchanged heading into halftime.
ÖEHV team with chances – but without success
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Coming out of the first intermission, Austria displayed a marked improvement and created several dangerous chances. Notably, Baumgartner was positioned perfectly in the slot, receiving a promising pass, but his shot ended up being too centralized to beat Slovakia’s goalkeeper, Elias (36th minute).
Shortly after the restart, Austria nearly equalized in the final third, but Nickl’s attempt was thwarted by a magnificent save from Elias. As the game progressed, both teams exchanged opportunities, highlighting their intent to score as the match intensified. In the closing minutes, Austria mounted a strong offensive push; however, Wukovits failed to convert a golden opportunity right in front of the Slovak net with just a few minutes remaining (55th minute).
The final whistle marked a frustrating 0-1 defeat for the ÖEHV team, who nonetheless exhibited commendable grit against the favored Slovaks. Currently, Austria sits at the bottom of the tournament standings in fourth place, while Slovakia occupies the top spot.
Austria’s next challenge will come against Denmark on November 9, an encounter that coincides with Denmark’s match against hosts Germany later that evening (from 7:45 p.m./LIVE-Ticker >>>).
Ranking: Austria’s best ice hockey cracks of all time
**Interview with Roger Bader, Head Coach of the Austrian National Ice Hockey Team**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Roger! Austria’s national ice hockey team faced a tough start at the 2024 Germany Cup with a narrow 1-0 defeat against Slovakia. How are you feeling about the team’s performance despite the loss?
**Roger Bader:** Thank you for having me. Honestly, it was a bittersweet experience. I’m proud of the team’s effort. We competed well, especially in the second half. Even though we faced a strong Slovakian side, the resilience we displayed was commendable. We just need to convert our chances into goals moving forward.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned the second half—what adjustments did you make after the first period to improve the team’s performance?
**Roger Bader:** We focused on maintaining possession and increasing our offensive pressure. I encouraged the players to take more shots and challenge their goalie. We came out energized, and we had several good opportunities, but sometimes, it’s just about execution. We need to be more clinical in those moments.
**Interviewer:** Sébastian Wraneschitz stepped in as a backup goalie for David Kickert. How did you feel he performed under pressure?
**Roger Bader:** Sébastian did incredibly well, especially considering that he was a late call-up. He kept us in the game with some key saves, and I have no complaints about his performance. It was great to see him step up when called upon.
**Interviewer:** Looking forward to your next match against Denmark, what will be the focus in practice leading up to that game?
**Roger Bader:** We will work primarily on finishing our chances. It’s crucial that we learn from this game—hockey is about creating opportunities, but it’s also about taking advantage of them. Defense will also be key, as Denmark is a formidable opponent. We need to stay sharp at both ends of the ice.
**Interviewer:** Last question, what message do you have for the fans following the team?
**Roger Bader:** I want to thank our fans for their unwavering support. Every game is a learning opportunity for us. We’ll keep pushing forward, and hopefully, we’ll convert those chances into victories. Our goal is to make them proud, so stay with us on this journey!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Roger. Best of luck against Denmark on November 9th!
**Roger Bader:** Thank you! We appreciate the support!
