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With first place in the World Cup in Division Ia, the Austrians secured their place in last year’s prestigious tournament of the top ten youth teams. Usually a street sweeper, the world title fight at Edmonton’s Rogers Center takes place without a spectator due to the coronavirus pandemic. The National Hockey League (NHL) already determined its champion in a “bubble” at the home of the Edmonton Oilers in the fall.
Due to coronavirus regulations, the Austrian team came out of its own protective bubble and already on December 13 to Canada to be quarantined there again. Unlike the competition, like Germany, the selection of the Austrian Ice Hockey Association (ÖEHV), which in the tournament is not attended by Marco Pewal, who did not receive the approval of Villacher SV, but by the head of team A Roger Bader, stayed positive. The CoV tests were saved and preparation on site was able to start as planned.
Few chances against the Czech Republic?
In their fourth first division appearance, the Austrians are clearly unabashed outsiders. The ÖEHV troops will start the tournament in Group B on Sunday night against the United States (3.30 am CET). Then on December 29, Sweden (midnight, live on ORF Sport +) and the Russians, supervised by legend Igor Larionov, will wait for two more contenders for the medal on December 30 (3:30 am) before have the Czech Republic face off on New Year’s Eve (8:00 pm, live). ORF Sport +).
“The first three opponents are playing for the world championship title. If they take us seriously, it becomes difficult to take away good results. We must not let ourselves go crazy, ”Bader said of the outlook against the three great ice hockey powers. The Czech Republic is one of the top nations for seniors, but at the U-20 level, neighboring Austria appears to be the only opponent that might be within reach on a good day. Austria has never won a U20 World Cup in three participations.
However, as a precaution, Bader is also lowering expectations against the Czechs, where Rossi and Co. can be seen on the skates in this country’s prime time. “The Czech Republic also has a lot of good players, but they are in a class among these three teams. There are also surprise victories, that is what we are looking for ”, said the Swiss. Austria came closest to a victory on January 3, 2004, when, thanks to a Thomas Vanek brace, they led 2-1 against Ukraine, but were tied in the end.
Trial strengthens hope
For Bader, the bottom line is that his team in Edmonton does not transform into a casual sparring partner for title candidates. “We want to show that we are correctly in group A. We don’t want to hide, we want to play hard, we want to upset our opponents. We want people to say that we did not think Austria was that strong, ”said the 56-year-old.
The only test before the tournament against Switzerland – a preparatory game against Germany had to be canceled due to several positive CoV cases with the opponent – gave Bader confidence despite a narrow 3-2 defeat. “We were able to keep up. That was an important finding before the start of the World Cup, “said the team boss, who hopes for greater efficiency in the power play at the tournament:” Of course there is still something to improve. But that we were at the level of the eyes of Switzerland was an exclamation point for our team. “
Rossi as a featured draft horse
Their captain Rossi, currently Austria’s best-known young star in North America, has similar expectations to Bader’s. The 19-year-old was selected this year by the Minnesota Wild in the first round as number nine and already has a three-year contract with the NHL club. “We want to improve from one game to another and learn from it. If that is successful, we could have a surprise victory against the Czech Republic, ”said Rossi.
The man from Vorarlberg, who played in the Canadian Ontario Hockey League (OHL) youth league for two years, knows many of the stars of this tournament and knows what to expect from his team. “It is important to give the main nations little time, otherwise we will make it easier for them. If you push, they too will have problems, ”said Rossi. With Thimo Nickl and Kilian Zündel, recruited by the Anaheim Ducks, however, two main advocates are canceled due to positive coronavirus tests or as virus contact persons.
“Gift that we cannot descend”
However, Rossi and company are under no pressure to achieve their first and, for Austrian ice hockey, historic victory. Because next year the local juniors will be able to play again at the greats concert. Due to the CoV-related cancellation of all other world championships, there is no relegated team. “It is a gift that we cannot descend. We can play even more relaxed and daring, ”said team principal Bader.
In 2021 it will be played again in Alberta and then, as originally planned for this year, in Edmonton and Red Deer and ideally again in front of the spectators and especially the scouts, who are not allowed this year. In a normal year there would be around 250 scouts, this year they can only watch the tournament on television. The scouts will see a young Austrian team. Bader traveled to the province of Alberta with five 17-year-olds and the only 16-year-old Marco Kasper, the son of former team defender Peter Kasper. Therefore, half of the squad could return next year.
