photo: © International Ice Hockey Federation / Tim Austen
The relegation game was a tale of two styles: speedy Japan versus physical Austria. Austria won in dramatic fashion, 2-1, in overtime.
Anna Meixner scored two power-play goals, including the game-winner, 1:10 into OT, to keep Austria in the top division.
"It was probably one of the worst shots of my life but I had three or four shots right before that one and I knew we just had to get the puck to the net,” Meixner said. "This is incredible and huge for Austria. It's hard to put into words, I’m really proud of the girls."
After Meixner scored on power play in the second period, Austria held on to the lead for 29 minutes before Akane Shiga scored for Japan to take the game into overtime..
“Of course the score’s not what we wanted, but I think we played well,” Akane Shiga said. “We had a lot of chances, but Austria did a better job capitalizing on their chances.”
Magdalena Luggin made 30 saves for Austria in regulation time. Riko Kawawuchi made 16 saves for Japan.
Japan entered the relegation game determined to extend their seven-year top division streak. They hadn’t played in a relegation game since 2016, when they lost a best-of-three series to Switzerland in two games.
Austria, on the other hand, was playing in its first top division tournament, desperate to make history by holding on to their spot.
“Even qualifying for the top division was a huge step but to actually get to stay up for another year is important for the next generation. There will be some new faces on the team next season,” Meixner said.
Both Japan and Austria scored just four goals in their four preliminary round games, and Japan certainly hoped that the Shiga sisters, Akane and team captain Aoi, would find the back of the net against Austria. They led the team in ice time with about 22 minutes per game each.
Japan did carry the play for most of the first period and created several good chances, especially on the power play halfway through the period, but their shots mostly missed the net — or hit the post.
All in all, Japan had 25 shot attempts in the period, Austria nine.
However, the shots that Japan got on goal were turned away by Luggin, who had posted the tournament’s third-best save percentage, 94.7%, in the preliminary round.
Austria did create a few chances, and as expected, it was Anna Meixner’s line, with center Theresa Schafzahl and Lena Daubock, that caused most problems for Japan’s defense. In the four preliminary round games, they connected for three goals and eight points in total.
Austria started the second period on the power play, and they capitalized on it.
Meixner’s one-timer from the top of the right faceoff circle trickled through Kawawuchi to give Austria the lead just 36 seconds into the second period.
The goal gave Austria new energy and paralyzed Japan, but only for the moment. Japan gained momentum, and their speed caused constant havoc in Austria’s defense, but Luggin stood tall.
With 9:38 remaining in the third period, Akane Shiga tied the game with her first goal of the tournament. There was a big pile-up behind the Austrian net, but Shiga got up and got to the front of the net just in time to tip in Kanami Seki’s point shot. Aoi Shiga also picked up an assist.
Austria was on its heels for the second half of the third period, but with 1:29 remaining, they got their chance. Another power play.
This time, Japan’s penalty kill worked perfectly, and the relegation game went to overtime.
Just 13 seconds in, Japan took another penalty, and Austria had a two-player advantage. They didn’t score on that one, but at 1:10, Meixner struck again. Her partially failed shot caught Kawawuchi off guard and flew over her into the back of the net to end the game.
And to start Austria’s celebrations.
“You saw my weird celly, I didn’t know what to do. It was just pure emotion,” Meixner said, with a laugh.
Anna Meixner scored two power-play goals, including the game-winner, 1:10 into OT, to keep Austria in the top division.
"It was probably one of the worst shots of my life but I had three or four shots right before that one and I knew we just had to get the puck to the net,” Meixner said. "This is incredible and huge for Austria. It's hard to put into words, I’m really proud of the girls."
After Meixner scored on power play in the second period, Austria held on to the lead for 29 minutes before Akane Shiga scored for Japan to take the game into overtime..
“Of course the score’s not what we wanted, but I think we played well,” Akane Shiga said. “We had a lot of chances, but Austria did a better job capitalizing on their chances.”
Magdalena Luggin made 30 saves for Austria in regulation time. Riko Kawawuchi made 16 saves for Japan.
Japan entered the relegation game determined to extend their seven-year top division streak. They hadn’t played in a relegation game since 2016, when they lost a best-of-three series to Switzerland in two games.
Austria, on the other hand, was playing in its first top division tournament, desperate to make history by holding on to their spot.
“Even qualifying for the top division was a huge step but to actually get to stay up for another year is important for the next generation. There will be some new faces on the team next season,” Meixner said.
Both Japan and Austria scored just four goals in their four preliminary round games, and Japan certainly hoped that the Shiga sisters, Akane and team captain Aoi, would find the back of the net against Austria. They led the team in ice time with about 22 minutes per game each.
Japan did carry the play for most of the first period and created several good chances, especially on the power play halfway through the period, but their shots mostly missed the net — or hit the post.
All in all, Japan had 25 shot attempts in the period, Austria nine.
However, the shots that Japan got on goal were turned away by Luggin, who had posted the tournament’s third-best save percentage, 94.7%, in the preliminary round.
Austria did create a few chances, and as expected, it was Anna Meixner’s line, with center Theresa Schafzahl and Lena Daubock, that caused most problems for Japan’s defense. In the four preliminary round games, they connected for three goals and eight points in total.
Austria started the second period on the power play, and they capitalized on it.
Meixner’s one-timer from the top of the right faceoff circle trickled through Kawawuchi to give Austria the lead just 36 seconds into the second period.
The goal gave Austria new energy and paralyzed Japan, but only for the moment. Japan gained momentum, and their speed caused constant havoc in Austria’s defense, but Luggin stood tall.
With 9:38 remaining in the third period, Akane Shiga tied the game with her first goal of the tournament. There was a big pile-up behind the Austrian net, but Shiga got up and got to the front of the net just in time to tip in Kanami Seki’s point shot. Aoi Shiga also picked up an assist.
Austria was on its heels for the second half of the third period, but with 1:29 remaining, they got their chance. Another power play.
This time, Japan’s penalty kill worked perfectly, and the relegation game went to overtime.
Just 13 seconds in, Japan took another penalty, and Austria had a two-player advantage. They didn’t score on that one, but at 1:10, Meixner struck again. Her partially failed shot caught Kawawuchi off guard and flew over her into the back of the net to end the game.
And to start Austria’s celebrations.
“You saw my weird celly, I didn’t know what to do. It was just pure emotion,” Meixner said, with a laugh.
Selection Game: Japan vs Austria - 2026 IIHF Women's World Championship
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