Promotion Will Come Down To Final Game At Division 1A World Championships

Promotion will come down to a single game at the Division 1A World Championships in Klagenfurt, Austria.

France and Hungary, who were both relegated from the top division last year will face off on the final day of competition and a regulation win for either team is likely to result in promotion, while a regulation loss would keep Hungary in Division 1A, and most likely France as well.

Currently, France sits atop the Division with 10 points in four games, followed by Norway with 9 points and Hungary with 8 points. With Norway facing winless Korea, who has only managed a single goal in their four games, a three point regulation win would guarantee Norway promotion. If Norway wins as expected, it would mean the winner of France versus Hungary, whether it comes in regulation or a shootout would advance, leaving the other team in Division 1A for another year.

Here's a look at how it happened.

Austria Beats Hungary In A Shootout

After stumbling earlier in the tournament, Austria played spoiler against Hungary beating the top ranked team in a shootout 3-2 despite only managing 14 shots on goal. Things did not look good for Austria early after Mira Seregely opened the scoring 2:36 into the first for Hungary, followed by Bernadett Nemeth four minutes later to make it 2-0. But before the opening frame was out, Austria's Annika Fazokas and Lena Artner answered back to tie things at 2-2.

That's the way the game would stand through the second, third, and through overtime. In the shootout, Regina Metzler of Hungary beat Magdalena Luggin on the opening shot, which was answered three shooters later by Austria's Anja Trummer who plays in the NCAA with Yale. After five shooters attempting unsuccessfully, Austria's captain Anna Meixner stepped up and iced the game for Austria.

Norway and France Earn Shutouts

Norway could have moved closer to promotion already if not for a pesky Netherlands squad that took Norway to a scoreless 0-0 game through regulation and overtime. Eline Gabriele turned aside 31 shots for the Netherlands while Ena Nystrom stopped 22 shots each earning a shutout. In the shootout, only Norway found the net as Emilie Kruse and Mathea Fischer each scored.

France took an easy 5-0 win over South Korea with Lucie Quatro scoring twice to lead the way.