Release from 08.01.2020
The battle for the top-6 and the involved early playoff-tickets heads into the next round and it couldn’t be closer. The sixth and the elevenths place are separated by three points only. A couple of direct duels for a playoff-spot are on the schedule.
Th, 09.01.2020 19:00 Steel Wings Linz - EC KAC II
Referees: FICHTNER / SCHAUER / Legat, Marchardt
The Steel Wings Linz are hosting the EC-KAC for an Austrian clash. The EC-KAC is ranked on the 16th place and lost the past two games. The losing streak of the Steel Wings Linz reached the number of 23 already. The KAC booked a clear 5:0 win in the first duel of these two teams.
- Losing Streak SWL: 23
- Losing Streak KA2: 2
Th, 09.01.2020 19:15 HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana - EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
Referees: KUMMER / REZEK, Markizeti, Schweighofer
The leader of the league is hosting the EC Stadtwerke Kitzbühel. While Kitzbühel is already out of reach of the top-6, Ljubljana aims to secure the first spot in standings. Ljubljana has a winning streak of nine games and tries to come in double digit. Kitzbühel is fighting for bonus points for the qualification round. The first duel of these two teams ended 4:2 for the Slovenians.
- Winning Streak HKO: 9
- Losing Streak KEC: 2
- AHL H2H: 3:2 HKO
Th, 09.01.2020 19:30 EHC Lustenau - Red Bull Hockey Juniors
Referees: BULOVEC / STEFENELLI, Mantovani, Martin
The EHC Lustenau is facing the Red Bull Hockey Juniors . Lustenau aims to secure a top-6 spot, but they are having a tough program to go. The Juniors would need an almost perfect finish to still have the chance to reach the top-6 in regular season phase 1. Curretnly they are trailing by five points to the sixth place. Wins against higher ranked teams are necessary by now, if they want to climb the standings. The first duel ended 4:2 for Lustenau.
- Losing Streak EHC: 3
- AHL H2H: 10:4 EHC
Th, 09.01.2020 20:00 Rittner Buam - EK Die Zeller Eisbären
Referees: GAMPER / HOLZER, De Zordo, Giacomozzi
The Rittner Buam are facing the EK Zeller Eisbären. The Buam have the possibility to fix the playoff-ticket in that game. But also the Eisbären still have chances to enter the top-6. Currently they are trailing by 3 points but also absolved already one game more than five higher ranked teams in AHL. But a surprise against the Rittner Buam could bring them in a quite good lurking position. And the Eisbären also won the first duel against Ritten.
- Winning Streak RIT: 2
- AHL H2H: 5:2 RIT
Th, 09.01.2020 20:30 S.G. Cortina Hafro - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Referees: FAJDIGA / LAZZERI, Bedana, Bergant
S. G. Cortina Hafro is hosting the HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice in an important game. Cortina brought itself in a very good position for the early playoff-ticket. By winning the past five games they climbed the standings up to the fifths place. Also Jesenice is on a run, winning the past four games and are still in the contact with the top-6, trailiny by three points only. But winning against Cortina could already be a must, if they aim to keep in the race for the early playoff tickets. The first game ended 4:3 in Overtime for Cortina.
- Winning Streak SGC: 5
- Winning Streak JES: 4
- AHL H2H: 6:1 JES
Th, 09.01.2020 20:30 SHC Fassa Falcons - HC Pustertal Wölfe
Referees: BENVEGNU, MOSCHEN, Cristeli, Pace
The SHC Fassa Falcons are playing against the HC Pustertal. The wolves need only one more point to qualify for the playoffs. For the Falcons the last rounds will be a tough battle to still jump into the top-5- Currently they are trailing by one point only to sixth place. Every point counts by now. Pustertal is currently on fire, winning the past six games or nine out of the past ten games. The first duel was a close win for Pustertal. Fassa never won a duel against Pustertal in AHL history.
- Winning Streak PUS: 6
- AHL H2H: 9
Th, 09.01.2020 20:30 HC Gherdeina valgardena.it - Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan
Referees: HUBER, LEGA, Huber, Rinker
The HC Gherdeina and the Wipptal Sterzing Broncos are battling for important points. While Gherdeinaseems to be out of reach for the top-6 alreaedy, the Broncos could still make the qualification, but need a run at the end of phase one of regular season. Currently they are trailing by three points to the sixths ranked team, but absolved already one game more. The first duel was a close win by Gherdeina.
- Losing Streak WSV: 2
- AHL H2H: 5:4 WSV
Fr, 10.01.2020 19:00 Vienna Capitals Silver - VEU Feldkirch
Referees: DURCHNER, LOICHT, Bedynek, Reisinger
The Vienna Capitals Silver are facing the VEU Feldkirch in the only Friday game. Feldkirch in on the ejection seat – the high desirable sixth spot. So Feldkirch needs three points to temporary secure this spot. But the VEU is having a tough program to go after the Silver Caps teams like Ritten, Asiago and Ljubljana are waiting. The Silver Caps are ranked on the 17th place.
picture: www.dorianobrunel.it