Release from 08.09.2018
The Vienna Capitals have won their Champions Hockey League-game against two times CHL-winner Frölunda Indians (SWE) on the road on Saturday with 4:1 and captured the top-position in group A. EC Red Bull Salzburg beat the Växjö Lakers 4:3, while HCB Südtirol Alperia suffered their first CHL-defeat 2018 against Skelleftea AIK (SWE). Besides, Moser Medical Graz99ers and EC-KAC were defeated in friendly games...
Bozen suffered first CHL-defeat
Bolzano struck first on an early powerplay when Marco Insam’s wrister from the point beat a screened Gustaf Lindvall. Skellefteå then spent the rest of the period pushing for the equalizer and they thought they had it about midway through on a 5-on-3 powerplay, but after a lengthy video review the goal was called back due to goaltender interference. The second period had a lot more flow than the first and Skellefteå tied it up when Oscar Möller sent a long shot through traffic, with assists to the Lindström brothers. Skellefteå kept the pressure on looking to go ahead but Irving was strong and they also hit the post a couple times. Skellefteå finally took their first lead of the game in the second minute of the third period, with Linus Lindström firing home a pass from Joakim. Bolzano later thought they’d tied it back up on a powerplay with 7:23 to go, but replays showed that the puck didn’t cross the goal line and in the last minute they hit the goalpost.
Caps surprised against two times CHL-winner
Using early powerplays to their advantage, the Vienna Capitals took the lead inside ten minutes - Rafael Rotter with the final touch to slap the puck home. Period 2 belonged to the Capitals as well, although Frölunda squandered several chances - Joel Lundqvist firing wide from point blank range after Kelsey Tessier had put Vienna two ahead with only 23:46 played. At halftime, Peter Schneider didn't find the net on the breakaway, but Chris DeSousa followed on the rebound to finish off the move. A scuffle between the two top scorers late in the period saw both top scorers, Schneider and Indians' Chay Genoway, ejected for fighting. Frölunda came out strong in the third and the Capitals ran into penalty trouble as the clock ticked down and eventually saw their resistance broken - Max Friberg got on a fortunate back-board rebound from Jonathan Sigalet's shot to make it 1-3 with 2:53 to go. But Vienna were not going to be denied their win, and after a neutral zone turnover Rafael Rotter doubled his tally for the game with a backhanded goal into the empty net.
Salzburg earned big home-win against Växjö Lakers
Linus Fröberg‘s Power Play goal gave the Vaxjö Lakers an early lead in Salzburg (2.). Each team spent four minutes shorthanded in period 1. And Salzburg answered in a Power Play in minute 18, Dustin Gazley netted the 1:1. The Power Play was a key-factor in period 2 as well. The Swedish team took the lead in a Power Play in minute 27 again. But, the Austrians responded quickly. Just 57 seconds later, Brant Harris netted the 2:2. And at halftime the Red Bulls were ahead once again: Raphael Herburger punished the SHL-club for another penalty, potting the 3:2. In period 3, the game was thrilling until the end and had a great finish: Vaxjö Lakers tied the game at 59:25. The fans expected an Overtime, but Salzburg had an answer: Just 19 seconds later and 16 prior the start of an extra-time Ryan Duncan potted the 4:3 and fixed three important points for the Mozart Citizens. In group G, SC Bern (SUI/NLA) has already qualfied for the next round. Salzburg needs one point out of the last two games to step up to the CHL-Playoffs as well.
99ers lost goal-festival
Moser Medical Graz99ers have been defeated in a goal-festival by HK Nitra at the Energie Steiermark Trophy (5:9). The 99ers netted two in Power Play in a fast first period to earn a 2:1-lead after 20 minutes. The Styrians had a perfect start in period 2 as well. Yellow Horn potted the 3:1 in minute 21. Then, the Slovaks got stronger and stronger and they turned the game with four goals within six minutes – 3:5. The 99ers responded late in the period, Andre Lakos netted the 4:5. But, the 99ers could not come back in the last 20 minutes. The guests were not to stop anymore in the last period as well and they earned a 9:5-win and the third place at the Energie Steiermark Trophy in Graz.
Klagenfurt defeated by one goal
Adam Comrie’s Power Play goal gave EC-KAC an early lead against Servette Geneve. After further chances for each club, the period has already ended after 16 minutes, because of problems with the plexiglas. Klagenfurt threatend in the first minutes after the break, but could not extend their lead. Then, Servette Geneve got the upper hand of the match and turned the game with two goals in period 2. The Swiss NLA-club scored the 1:1 5-on-3. Liivik (37.) and Kozek (40.) had the best opportunities for the Erste Bank Eishockey League club. The Swiss team extended their lead to 3:1 early in the third period. The Red Jackets did not give up. After chances from Petersen and Kozek, Witting potted the 2:3 under the crossbar. The Carinthians tried hart to equalize, but without success.
Champions Hockey League, group A, game day 4:
Sat, 08.09.2018: Frölunda Indians (SWE) – Vienna Capitals 1:4 (0:1,0:2,1:1);
goal Frölunda: Friberg (58.)
goals Wien: Rotter (10./pp, 59./EN), Tessier (24.), DeSousa (31.).
Champions Hockey League, group C, game day 4:
Sat, 08.09.2018: Skelleftea AIK (SWE) – HCB Südtirol Alperia 2:1 (0:1,1:0,1:0)
goals AIK: Möller (27.), Lindström (42.)
goal HCB: Insam (4.).
Champions Hockey League, group G, game day 4:
Sat, 08.09.2018: EC Red Bull Salzburg – Växjö Lakers (SWE) 4:3 (1:1,2:1,1:1)
goals RBS: Gazley (18./pp), Harris (28.); Herburger (31./pp), Duncan (60.)
goals Växjö: Fröberg (2./pp, 60.), Netterberg (27./pp)
friendly game in Croatia:
08.09.2018: EC-KAC – Geneve Servette (SUI/NLA) 2:3 (1:0,0:2,1:1).
goals KAC: Comrie (5./pp), Witting (50.)
Energie Steiermark Trophy, game for third place:
Sat, 08.09.2018: Moser Medical Graz99ers – HK Nitra (SVK) 5:9 (2:1,2:4,1:4)
goals G99: Hamilton (13./pp), Setzinger (20./pp), Yellow Horn (21.), Lakos (40., 56.)