Austria came under the expected pressure early in the game, but the underdogs were not afraid to go on the attack and managed to test Aerin Frankel on a couple of occasions in the opening minutes. It was a bright and energetic start from Austria against a US team that needed a little time to find its rhythm and get up to speed.
Magdalena Luggin replaced her older sister Selma in the Austrian net and made an excellent start in Esbjerg.
Luggin produced an outstanding glove save when Casey Simms found herself through on goal after eight minutes, but there was little she could do when Caroline Harvey stepped up a minute later.
Harvey picked up the puck in her own zone and danced elegantly past three Austrian players before sending Luggin to the ice and lifting the puck into the top corner.
A superb solo effort from last season's IIHF Female Player of the Year.
Austria continued to challenge Aerin Frankel whenever the opportunity presented itself. Theresa Schafzahl got right in close and tried her luck, but scoring against Frankel is no easy task. The American goaltender has been almost unbeatable in her recent international appearances at the World Championship and Olympic Games.
Hilary Knight doubled the lead in the 13th minute, but Austria remained resilient, and Vanessa Picka forced Frankel into a pad save after capitalising on a major mistake by Laila Edwards. Harvey then added her second of the game, while Tessa Janecke also got on the scoresheet before the first intermission. 4-0 after the opening period.
Janecke continued where she left off, scoring just nine seconds into the second period to make it her second of the game. At the 25-minute mark, Joy Dunne made it six for an American team that showed no signs of letting up. The US dominated the second period, outshooting Austria 22-0.
Gwyneth Phillips replaced Frankel in the American net midway through the game, making her debut at this edition of the IIHF Women's World Championship. Lacey Eden and Megan Keller both added goals in a second period that increasingly resembled one long power play in front of Magdalena Luggin's net. 8-0 after 40 minutes.
Although it was a tough game for the Austrians, it was a historic night. For the first time ever, Austria had the opportunity to face the USA in a Top Division game, with Austrian Secretary of State for Sport Michaela Schmidt also in attendance to show her support.
Team USA, however, showed no mercy, taking the score into double digits. A hat trick was completed when Caroline Harvey scored her third of the night with six minutes remaining. 11-0 and a hat flew on the ice in Esbjerg.
Eventually, Austria got on the scoresheet. Following a couple of good chances and an impressive shift, Annika Fasokas fired the puck past Phillips, making Austria the first team to score against the USA in the tournament.
Finally some big smiles on the Austrian faces after a tough game in their own end.
Final score 11-1, busy night for Magdalene Luggin, as the Austrian were outshot 65-5 during the 60 minutes.