Germany defeats rivals Austria in decisive Group A match-up

The second and final game of Day 6 at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship saw Germany take on Austria in a battle of winless teams in Group A.

A lot was on the line in this tilt, as the winner would likely claim the fourth and final quarter-final spot in Group A, while the losing team would go to the best-of-three relegation series against Latvia, beginning on Monday.

The first 18 minutes of the game were pretty quiet, as both teams exchanged a couple of chances. Germany broke the deadlock just under two minutes remaining in the first period, Philipp Krening picked up his own rebound and put it past Austrian netminder Michael Sicher to make it 1-0.

Philipp Krening sweeps the rebound past Michael Sicher, as Germany opens the scoring late in the first period! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/ipMDuTYPpV— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2022

Germany extended their lead just under two minutes into the second period as defenceman Leon van der Linde fired a shot from the point over the blocker of Sicher to make it 2-0.

Leon van der Linde fires it home right off the faceoff! Germany leads 2-0! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/Qy2eaViqbj— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2022

The Germans added a third goal nearly five minutes later. After a turnover, Thomas Heigl recived a pass from his twin brother, Nikolaus and put it five-hole on Sichler making it 3-0 Germany.

Given that it's a must-win game for Austria, they're going to try and do no matter it takes to get the three points. After the goal, their head coach made the decision to pull Sicher and put in Thomas Pfarrmaier, who started their first game of the tournament against Sweden.

Brothers Nikolaus and Thomas Heigl connect to extend Germany's lead to 3-0! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/Z7k7FbZEl7— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2022

A few minutes later on the powerplay, Austria finally scored their first goal of the tournament. Montreal Canadiens prospect Vinzenz Rohrer passed the puck to Ian Scherzer, who ripped a shot five-hole on Nikita Quapp to cut Germany's lead to two.

Ian Scherzer!! Austria gets their first goal of the tournament!! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/G0MZoKU5LD— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2022

Germany restored their three-goal advantage with a little over three minutes to play in the middle frame. Roman Ketcher potted his second of the tournament on a sweet feed from Philipp Krening to give Germany a 4-1 lead.

After winning the puck battle along the boards, Roman Kechter restores Germany's three goal lead! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/qhL6o2Ofms— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2022

Six minutes into the third period, Austria struck again, scoring their second of the game, cutting Germany's lead to two. Finn van Ee forced Germany's defenceman into a turnover and poked the puck to Jonas Dobnig, who was alone in front. Dobnig went to the backhand and beat Nikita Quapp just under the blocker.

Jonas Dobnig makes Germany pay for the turnover! Austria is back within two! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/dcKL9ta8p2— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 30, 2022

Germany would manage to hold on to win the game 4-2, despite a strong effort from Austria in the final ten minutes of the third period. With the loss, Austria will now play in the best-of-three relegation series against Latvia, while Germany clinches a spot in the quarter-finals. The Germans will face Czechia in their final preliminary round game on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. local.

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