Austria take opening game over Belgium/Netherlands

Austria opened the 2016 IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championships C-Pool in Novi Sad, Serbia, in style on Tuesday (23 February), with an 11-0 win over Belgium/Netherlands.

The Championships, which are running as part of the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games Actualising the Dream project, got off to a flying start at the Spens Ice Hall.

Austria’s Jurgen Haindl was first on the scoresheet, firing the puck past Franc Vandervelden at 01:52 and 04:49 to begin his six goal run.

A penalty shot from defender Stefan Eberdorfer at 06:44 concluded the scoring in the first period.

Three more goals followed for Austria in the second period thanks to strikes from Fabian Burtscher and two from Dennis Wliszczak.

Scoring in the final stanza opened with two goals from Haindl and a further flyer from Wliszczak.

Haindl put his name on the scoreboard again, scoring a further two to close the match with six direct hits.

Belgium/Netherlands, who have joined forces to support the long-term development of ice sledge hockey in their countries, can take credit for successfully defending a further 18 shots on goal by the Austrians.

Austria are in Novi Sad searching for promotion to the B-Pool, which will allow them a shot at qualifying for PyeongChang 2018.

Aside from the action on the ice, a series of educational workshops are taking place to aid players and coaches in their development as part of Actualising the Dream. Sessions for sport managers are also ongoing with the aim of boosting the growth of ice sledge hockey in each country.

On Tuesday evening, each team will take part in sessions on anti-doping.

Actualising the Dream features a series of workshops and grants for equipment to improve winter sport around the world as part of the legacy of the next Paralympic Winter Games.

Belgium/Netherlands will now their focus their efforts on their next game, which takes place on Wednesday (24 February) against Finland.