Austria beats Latvia for 3rd straight win at ice hockey worlds, Norway shuts out Italy

Austria's Tim Harnisch celebrates scoring during the Men's Ice Hockey World Championship preliminary round game between Latvia and Austria, in Zurich, Switzerland, Tuesday May 19, 2026. (Andreas Becker/Keystone via AP)

ZURICH — Benjamin Nissner scored a power-play goal in the third period to help Austria beat Latvia 3-1 at the ice hockey world championship on Tuesday.

Austria’s third straight win put it level on points with Switzerland and Finland atop Group A.

Tim Harnisch’s second-period goal gave Austria a 1-0 lead before Latvia captain Rudolfs Balcers tied it early in the third with his tournament-leading fourth goal.

After Nissner’s go-ahead goal, Vinzenz Rohrer added an empty-netter.

In Group B in Fribourg, Norway blanked Italy 4-0 for its second victory and second shutout.

Eskild Bakke Olsen, Noah Steen, Christian Kaasastul and Tinus Luc Koblar had a goal each while goaltender Henrik Haukeland stopped all 30 shots he faced.

Italy, a newcomer in the top division, remains without a point.

Britain plays Hungary in Zurich later Tuesday, and Slovakia meets Slovenia in Fribourg.

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The Associated Press