With first place at the World Cup in Division Ia, the Austrians secured their place in the prestigious tournament of the ten best youth teams last year. Usually a street sweeper, the fight for the world title at Edmonton’s Rogers Center goes without a spectator due to the coronavirus pandemic. The National Hockey League (NHL) already determined its champion in a “bubble” in the home of the Edmonton Oilers in autumn.
Due to the coronvirus regulations, the Austrian team went volleyball from their own protective bubble and already on December 13th to Canada to be quarantined there again. Unlike the competition, such as Germany, the selection of the Austrian Ice Hockey Association (ÖEHV), which at the tournament is not looked after by Marco Pewal – who received no approval from Villacher SV – but by the team boss of the A-team Roger Bader, remained positive CoV tests were spared and the preparations on the spot could start as planned.
Small chance against the Czech Republic?
In their fourth appearance in the top division, the Austrians are clearly blatant outsiders. The ÖEHV troops will start the tournament in group B on Sunday night against the USA (3.30 a.m. CET). Then on December 29th, Sweden (midnight, live on ORF Sport +) and the Russians, supervised by legend Igor Larionov, will wait for two more medal contenders on December 30th (3:30 a.m.) before the Czech Republic will face on New Year’s Eve (8:00 p.m., 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 mustn’t allow ourselves to be driven crazy, ”said Bader about the prospects against the three ice hockey major powers. The Czech Republic is one of the top nations among seniors, but at the U20 level Austria’s neighbor seems to be the only opponent who could be within reach on a good day. Austria has never won a U20 World Cup in three participations.
Nevertheless, as a precaution, Bader is also dampening expectations against the Czechs, where you can watch Rossi and Co. on their skates at prime time in this country. “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’s what we’re aiming for, ”said the Swiss. Austria was the closest to a win on January 3, 2004, when, thanks to a brace by Thomas Vanek, they led 2-1 against Ukraine, but received the equalizer in the finish.
Test strengthens hope
For Bader, the main thing is that his team in Edmonton does not mutate into a chance sparring partner for the title candidates. “We want to show that we are rightly in the A group. We don’t want to hide, we want to play hard, we want to annoy our opponents. We want people to say we didn’t 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 – made Bader confident despite a narrow 3-2 defeat. “We were able to keep up with the pace. That was an important finding before the start of the World Cup, “said the team boss, who himself hopes for more efficiency in the power play at the tournament:” Of course there is still something to improve. But that we were at eye level with Switzerland was an exclamation point for our team. “
Rossi as a prominent draft horse
His captain Rossi, currently the best-known young star from Austria in North America, has similar expectations as Bader. The 19-year-old was drafted this year by the Minnesota Wild in the first round as number nine and already has a three-year contract with the club from the NHL in his pocket. “We want to improve from game to game and learn from it. If that succeeds, we might manage a surprise win against the Czech Republic, ”said Rossi.
The man from Vorarlberg, who played in the Canadian junior league Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for two years, knows many of the stars of this tournament and knows what to expect from his team. “It is important to give top nations little time, otherwise we will make it easy for them. If you apply pressure, they too will have trouble, ”said Rossi. With Thimo Nickl and Kilian Zündel, drafted by the Anaheim Ducks, however, two top defenders are canceled due to positive coronavirus tests or as contact persons with the virus.
“Gift that we cannot descend”
However, Rossi and Co. do not have any pressure to clinch their first and, for Austria’s ice hockey, historic victory. Because in the coming year the local juniors will be able to play again in the concert of the greats. 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 cheeky, ”said team manager 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 spectators and especially scouts, who are not allowed this year. In a normal year there would be around 250 talent scouts, this year they can only watch the tournament on TV. 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, son of former team defender Peter Kasper. Half the squad could therefore return next year.
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