Austria won a penalty-shot shootout over Slovenia in record-tying 3-0 fashion and won the game, 3-2, this afternoon at Avicii Arena.

Lukas Haudum, Dominic Zwerger, and Benjamin Baumgartner all scored in the shootout, only the second time in IIHF WM history a PSS has been won 3-0 (May 6, 2018, Norway over Germany).



The result has two significant effects. First, Austria has now moved into fourth place in Group A and can secure a spot in the playoffs with a win over Latvia on Tuesday. Slovenia, meanwhile, will play France tomorrow. The winner will remain in the top pool next year while the loser will be demoted. It's that simple.

"We had three goals at the start of the tournament," Austrian forward Peter Schneider explained. "One, we wanted to remain in the top pool for next year. Two, we wanted to win three games, which we did today. And three, we wanted to win a fourth game and make the quarter-finals. It will be difficult, but we are now in poisition to do that."

“We knew it was going to be a tough game and that Slovenia is a good team that comes out hard, but I think we deserved the two points, though," added Paul Stapelfeldt. "The way these guys work, I think we’ve built this program in the last few years, and to win three games for the first time in 26 years is great. I’m proud to be a part of this team."

Slovenia got just the start it needed, opening the scoring midway through the period on a power play. Austris had incurred two quick penalties that overlapped for 28 seconds, but it was the second five-on-four that propelled Slovenia into the lead. It was only their fifth goal of the tournament in this their sixth game.

Blaz Gregorc’s point shot went off the skate of Stapelfedlt in front past David Kickert at 9:53, but Austria came back soon after thanks to a sensational effort from Schneider. 

First, he intercepted a pass deep in his own end and rushed up ice, and just as he was about to be checked he got the puck over to Dominic Zwerger. He went in alone and beat Lukas Horak with a low shot between the pads at 13:49.

Austria almost took the lead soon after on a power play. Marco Kasper’s shot went under the catching arm of Horak and off the post out the other side.

Schneider was front and centre throughout the second period. He had two early chances in quick succession, first taking a pass and snapping a wrist shot that Horak got a piece of, and then a shot from the right wing that the goalie took off the shoulder.

Brian Lebler took a four-minute, high-sticking minor that might have been a turning point, but Austria’s penalty killing was letter perfect. As he came out of the box, Slovenia had their best chance. Captain Robert Sabolic fired a shot from the slot that Kickert not only made  a great glove save on but for emphasis he threw the puck out of his glove as if in disgust.

Late in the period Schneider took a pass off the rush from Thimno Nickl, but again Horak was there to deny him.

Brian Lebler scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period when he redirected a hard pass from Lukas Haudum at 10:20. But Austria didn't enjoy their 2-1 lead for very long. Les than three minutes later, Sabolic tied the game, making for a dramatic and wild finish.