Grabner´s two goals lead Austria past Norway 3-1

SOCHI, Russia: Michael Grabner´s goal-scoring spree in Sochi has propelled Austria to its first Olympic hockey win in 12 years.

Grabner had two goals and an assist and Mathias Lange made 34 saves as Austria held off Norway 3-1 on Sunday for its first victory in the Sochi Games.

Michael Raffl scored in the first period for Austria, which finished third in its group at 1-2. Austria and Norway both lost to powerful Canada and Finland, who met later in the day to decide the group winner.

Grabner, the New York Islanders forward, has five goals in his first three Olympic matches after scoring early and late against Norway.

Grabner had a hat trick in his Olympic debut three days earlier, and his breakaway goal against Norway with 1:37 left secured the victory.

That´s better than he´s doing back home on Long Island, where
Austria is in its first Olympic tournament since 2002, and six players from that Salt Lake City team are still in the lineup.

Grabner was too young to play back then, but his speedy partnership with the Philadelphia Flyers´ Raffl has been dynamic in Sochi. (AP)