Kazakhstan - Austria 1 - 8 (0 - 3 , 1 - 4 , 0 - 1) Game Sheet INNSBRUCK – With an 8-1 win over Kazakhstan, Austria’s women’s hockey team is off to a perfect start after two games. Anna Meixner led the team in scoring with two goals and one assist, while Martina Kness and Julia Frick each had three points.

Sitting at 2-0 and playing in their home country, things are going well for Team Austria so far.

“We feel great, it’s great to play at home with friends and family around,” said team captain Tamara Grascher. “There is a bit of pressure and we have to work on a few more things but I do feel we are improving.”

After taking a body checking penalty at the outset of the second period, Meixner got the puck at centre ice and skated around nearly the entire Kazakhstan team, sending the puck between Ogay for the 4-0 lead. Goals by teammates Anna Schmid, Alexandra Guertler, and Anja List followed as the Austrians pulled away.

Kazakhstan’s girls got their first goal of the tournament with three minutes left in the second frame. Zhanna Nurgaliyeva fired a wristshot that hit a stick and bounced up and over Austrian goaltender Paula Camilla Marchhart and into the net.

After weathering the initial Austrian pressure in the first period, the Kazakhs were called on a body checking penalty against Nurgaliyeva. On the power play Austria’s Martina Kness found Meixner streaking down the middle with a pass. Meixner beat Ogay with a backhand for the 1-0 lead.

Austria will try to keep its undefeated record going Monday against Germany. Kazakhstan will have a tough assignment against Sweden.

ADAM STEISS