Austria Wins a Goal-Fest! Two-Goal Lead Not Enough For Cayman Islands

Goals and assists

12. Wuntschek (Floriantschitz, Gradnitzer), 15. Kahlhammer (Kronig), 20. Pirsch (Potocnik, Ortner), 24. Groyer (Krumpl, Kronig), 28. Kahlhammer (Potocnik, Tschurnig), 37. Potocnik (Tschurnig, Pirsch), 44. Thaler (Santler, Kahlhammer) – 3. Gray (Armstrong, Hickey), 10. Gray (Elliott, Selin), 26. Armstrong (Plamondon), 29. Elliott (Snedden)

Referees

Mike Grewall, Vilém Jonák

Spectators

48

Austria

Moser - Hintermann, Kronig, Krumpl, Pirsch, Santler, Tschurnig - Bernthaler, Floriantschitz, Gradnitzer, Gratzer, Groyer, Kahlhammer, Kusternig, Ortner, Potocnik, Thaler, Wuntschek, Ďurický

Cayman Islands

Gaudet - Armstrong, M. Bowden, Epp, Matarazzo, Selin, Stitt, Yaxley - A. Bowden, Elliott, Gray, Hickey, Hillier, Keca, Leitch, Plamondon, Power, Sarna, Snedden, Strenk

COACHES´ REACTIONS

Ján Ďurický (AUT): "We didn't have the start we wanted and made a few mistakes that allowed our opponents to create opportunities. Fortunately, this team sticks together and reacts quickly when things don't go our way. We started moving our feet more, moved the ball much quicker, and knew that if we kept the ball moving instead of holding onto it, our opponents wouldn't be able to keep up. That proved to be the key, as our speed of play put them exactly where we wanted them. In many ways, we simply went back to what had worked for us in the first game. They applied heavy pressure early on, but once we increased the tempo, we took control. It was also very important to equalise before the break, because going into the intermission two or three goals down would have been mentally difficult. Our goalkeepers were outstanding, not only with their saves but also by organising the team from the back. The players showed great commitment while killing penalties, throwing themselves into every play, and that was crucial. Successfully defending that power play prevented our opponents from getting back within one goal and kept unnecessary pressure off us in the closing stages."

Scott Sparks (CAY): "I thought we played well and stuck to our game plan. We got off to a strong start, but then allowed our opponents back into the game, and it was tied 2–2 after the first period. They had the upper hand for parts of the second, but we were only one goal behind. In the end, a couple of penalties at the wrong moments proved costly. Those small details made the difference and ultimately decided the game."