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.