Two days following the 1:5 defeat in Budweis, Austria’s men’s ice hockey national team also lost the second showdown with the Czech Republic, the host of the A World Championship (from May 10th in Prague and Ostrava). Roger Bader’s protégés lost 2:3 (1:1, 0:2, 1:0) in front of an attractive backdrop (officially 2,400 spectators) in the Linz AG ice arena. The first third in particular once morest the six-time title holders gives cause for confidence when it comes to the mission of staying in the league.
This international match mightn’t have started any better. After 13:46 minutes the mood reached its peak when, of all people, Black Wings striker Nico Feldner took the shot and the puck arced high into the net of the stunned goalkeeper Dominik Frodl. The red-white-red team led 1-0 once morest the big favorites. And at that point it wasn’t even that undeserved. “We have a super fan base. It’s a highlight to be able to end this ice hockey season in Linz with a match like this,” said Black Wings coach Philipp Lukas, who mingled with the audience.
ÖEHV team put pinpricks
Austria played in a disciplined manner in the first half and also for long stretches of the third, consistent in their defensive behavior and repeatedly set pinpricks. Also playful. Progress is clearly visible, although numerous pillars of the national team are still conspicuous by their absence: NHL ace Marco Rossi, David Reinbacher or the protagonists of the newly crowned champions Red Bull Salzburg and the finalists KAC.
If you want to look for a fly in the ointment, you will find it in the second period, which was entirely dominated by the Czechs. Also because the red-white-red team received three time penalties. That should be punished: Jakub Rychlovsky scored 1:2 in the power play (25th), and the Liberec striker also scored 1:3 (30th). However, with the help of ÖEHV goalie Daniel Madlener, whose target slipped through. The goalkeeper didn’t cut a happy figure when Daniel Gazda (Kometa Brno) made it 1-1 (18th minute). But you learn from mistakes.
The finish was absolutely thrilling, with Leon Wallner from the Vienna Capitals rewarding a period of pressure with the goal to make it 2-3 (58th). Shortly followingwards the equalizer was in the air, but it was not to happen. Nevertheless, the fans rewarded what they saw with thunderous applause and shouts of “Always Austria!”
Feldner also liked that: “It was a real fun to play here. We played a relatively good match and built up our self-confidence. We’re working really hard, it’s nice to see progress. The atmosphere was really cool.”
Author
Alexander Zambarloukos
Sports editor
Alexander Zambarloukos
