After seven defeats

Austria defeats Germany in World Championship test

2:1 after penalty shoot-out for the ÖEHV selection.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Austria's national ice hockey team has recorded a success in the penultimate World Championship test. After seven defeats in seven preparation games, the ÖEHV team defeated Germany 2:1 (0:1,0:0,1:0,1:0) after a penalty shoot-out on Saturday. 

In front of 2,600 fans in the sold-out ice arena in Zell am See, Roger Bader's team equalized late against the runners-up through Dominic Zwerger (56th). Only the Austrians were successful in the penalty shoot-out.

Austria's squad once again took on more contours compared to the 4-2 defeat in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Thursday. Seven players from the ICE League finalists Salzburg and KAC joined the team. NHL forward Marco Rossi and other team mainstays such as Thomas Raffl, Peter Schneider and Benjamin Nissner will not play until the dress rehearsal against world champion Canada on May 5 (7:00 p.m.) in Vienna.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

In an evenly balanced first period, a curious goal made the difference for Germany. After a confusing situation without a real shot, David Madlener had to reach behind him in minute 7. However, the Pioneers Vorarlberg goalie then had a few more opportunities to distinguish himself.

Manuel Ganahl's supposed equalizer in the power play did not count due to goal-area obstruction at the start of the second period. Madlener and once the bar prevented the 0:2 after that, in the final third the generally more determined Austrians pushed for their first goal. A rebound goal from Switzerland's Dominic Zwerger (56') meant overtime, in which the hosts failed to score despite a powerplay.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Emilio Romig and Lukas Haudum converted their attempts in the shootout, while the Germans failed to score twice from the edge of the net. "The team showed a lot of heart," said Zwerger. "We are happy. Now a few days off and then we'll start the final phase."

Austria - Germany 2:1 n.P.(0:1,0:0,1:0,1:0)
Zell am See, 2,600 spectators
Goals: Zwerger (56th) and Stachowiak (7th).