Austria remain winless in the 2019 IIHF World Championships after they were narrowly beaten by Norway with that result ensuring that they remain in danger of being relegated.
The 5-3 reverse to Norway sees Austria sit in 7th position in Group B with only Italy below them and must try and pick up points in their final two matches if they are to retain their elite status.
Austria have only managed six goals from their five games so far with only Italy and Great Britain scoring fewer across the competition with their forwards needing to collectively improve to provide more in front of goal.
Czech Republic improved their record to 4-1 as they comfortably overcame Italy as expected and now sit on the cusp of qualifying for the quarter-finals with the Czechs able to secure that with a win here.
An 8-0 hammering over Italy put the Czech Republic on 12 points and with Latvia six points behind with just two games left, the Czechs are all but certain of progressing but they can ensure it with a win over winless Austria.
Michael Frolik and Jakub Voracek have been the key pair for the Czechs with both contributing 10 points each for their side and will again be important here as they look to rack up another big score.
Austria are still in relegation danger having failed to win a single game so far and will need some points from their final two games to ensure their safety. Czech Republic on the other hand look set for a spot in the
quarter-finals and can confirm their place with a win here. The Czechs have been solid in the competition so far and will fancy themselves to post another big win to seal their progression.
Italy’s miserable start to the 2019 IIHF World Championships continued as they were hammered by the Czech Republic with the Italians’ goal drought continuing as they failed to find the back of the net once again.
The Czechs handed out an 8-0 drubbing, meaning Italy have conceded 38 goals in 5 matches and look certainties for relegation with the fear for the Italians that they only have two games remaining to try and salvage some pride.
Unsurprisingly, Italy are not coming out of this tournament with many plaudits and whilst they have tried, they lack the quality to compete at this level with their forwards all under pressure to score that elusive first goal.
Norway’s hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals appear to be over with them needing too many things to fall their way despite a 5-3 victory over Austria in their last match which was their first win of the competition.
That win should at least help them to avoid relegation but will they want to back that recent win up with another here and will target keeping the Italians scoreless once again as they attempt to climb up the standings.
Norway’s Christian Bull scored a hat-trick against Austria with the defenceman hoping his superb performance can inspire his side’s attackers into goalscoring action having struggled to find the back of the net so far.
Norway won their first match of the tournament with a solid victory over Austria and will be confident of going back-to-back as they face Italy who are still yet to even register a single goal. They Italians have struggled
so far and suffered another big loss to take their tally of goals conceded in the competition to 38 in just five matches and that is going to be increased again here with Norway able to take advantage of their fragile state for another win.
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