Slovakia earns first points

Perfect debut for Slovakia on home ice against Austria in Group D of the Olympic Qualifiers. In front of a good crowd, the home team immediately started with a lot of gas and broke the deadlock at 01:46 with a precise diagonal from Libor Hudacek. Austria looks intimidated but has immediately a good opportunity in power play, with a couple of shots from the distance, well controlled by Branislav Konrad. Around minute 8, first Simon Nemec and then Milos Kelemen do not realize two excellent chances: on the first occasion the defender is uncertain in the deflection, in the second, Kelemen shoots at David Kickert.

In the middle period Slovakia dominates the ice and as a logical consequence comes the second goal of Martin Gernat. There are still many opportunities for the Slovaks to close the game, but goalkeeper Kickert is on fire.

Even the last period begins with Slovakia boarding but the castle of Austria resists and after some danger near Konrad, the first Austrian goal arrives, scored by Brian Lebler, quick to recover a rebound from Konrad. Four minutes from the end, Austria have an incredible chance to equalize but incredibly Dominic Zwerger misses an easy deflection with the door wide open

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