Austria vs Norway game preview

It’s only two games but…..

Norway’s specialty teams are much much better than Austria. The Norwegians are3rd on the power play at 28%; while 1^st with a 100% PK; Austria on the other hand 0% on the power play and 60% on the penalty kill.

Keys for Austria

1>     Thomas Vanek, Oliver Setzinger, Andreas Nodl & Michael Raffl must shoot the puck more. They have a total only 7 shots on goal in two games; not enough for four of the Austrians top players. If they don’t start putting the puck on the net, they have no chance in winning.

2>     They’ve gotten allot from their top 3 defenseman, Matthias Trattning, Tomas Pock & Andre Lakos; but they need a little bit more. The three will likely play more than 20+ minutes tonight. Look for Trattning to provide allot of offense from the back end

3>     Austria MUST win the specialty teams war…. If their stats do not improve they are as good as relegated.

Keys for Norway

1>     Two players must immediate improve on their play or else. Jonas Holos is playing 25 minutes a game; but is -5 which is somewhat unacceptable.  Secondly Mats Zuccarello must chip in offensively; he is playing 22 minutes a night; but has 0 points to show for it.

2>     Lars Haugen must have a bounce back game; he was very average against Finland. He has the ability to win the big game; but tonight must be the night.

3>     Michael Grabner, Vanek & Raffl will be getting a face full of Ole Kristian Tolleffson; the Norwegian captain leads the tournament with 26.30 of ice time per game.

End result.

I see Norway coming out with a 3-2 win; specialty teams, Tolleffson & Haugen will be the difference makers.

Mens Olympic Hockey: Tonight; Absolute must wins or else = great hockey

   Tonight’s contest between Norway & Austria is not going to be a ratings bonanza; but for the two countries, it will be the biggest game they will play atleast for the next 4 years; for one of the next six years. Quite simply put, the winner qualifies automatically for the 2018 Olympics; the loser (unless in OT or shootout)  are almost guaranteed to be relegated and being out of the 2018 Olympics.

   Ironically the win today by Slovenia secures the fate of the losing team (between Norway-Austria). Why you ask? Slovenia is 1-2 which secures them of NOT being relegated.  The Slovaks are 0-2 (-8 GF/GA) and MUST defeat Russia to avoid going 0-3, which guarantees them to be relegated.  Latvia is  0-3 but  (GF/GA is -5) which is better than Austria’s -10 & Norway's -7 (goals for/ goals against). The key stat to be looking at is the best gf/ga.

The best players must be at their very best.

   Michael Grabner, Tomas Vanek & Michael Raffel have been playing very good so far; but must continue doing so. For Norway; they need more out of Patrick Thoreson, & Mats Zucharello offensively, no questions asked. While Ole Kristian Tollfesson & Lars Haugen must play at the level they have thus far.

   The keys to the game is this. Austria have the best offensive players by far; but have a little less depth than the Norwegians. On the backend & in goal; Norway has a slight edge (especially in net).

   Just like always specialty teams will be another key; this likely will determine who wins/loses.

If the game is tied going into the 3^rd period; look for both teams to play like they have the lead. If the loser atleast gets the game to OT or shootout; they would NOT  be relegated (assuming Russia beats Slovakia).