Release from 06.03.2020
© (c) GEPA pictures / Manfred Binder
The HCB Südtirol Alperia and the EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz both took a 2:0 lead in the “best-of-7” quarterfinal series, as Leland Irving posted a shutout in the 4:0 road-win at HC Orli Znojmo for the South Tyrolean and Stefan Gaffal scoring the overtime game winner for the Upper Austrians to defeat reigning champions EC-KAC again. Further, the EC Red Bull Salzburg and the Moser Medical Graz99ers tied the series.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Due to current developments in connection with the corona virus COVID19, the third quarterfinal between HCB Südtirol Alperia and HC Orli Znojmo will be played again in the Czech Republic on Sunday, March 8th at 5.30 pm. The exchange of the home right was carried out in agreement between both clubs. This decision was made in order to ensure the continuation of the championship in the best possible way.
Bolzano leads 2:0 after shutout-win
A shutout of Leland Irving gave the HCB Südtirol Alperia the second win over HC Orli Znojmo in the “best-of-7” quarterfinal series, taking a 4:0 in the Czech Republic. Bolzano posted the first shutout of all teams in the running playoffs of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. With three quick goals right at the beginning of each frame, the “foxes” got the preliminary decision early in the last, as Stefano Giliati converted a rebound. Jamie Arniel (59./PP2) rounded off the score late in the last.
Stefan Gaffal hit the OT game-winner for Linz’s second win straight
The EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz took a 2:0 lead in the quarterfinal series too, after it cheered a hard-fought 4:3 overtime win against the EC-KAC in a full packed Keine Sorgen Eisarena. Klagenfurt had to tie the game twice and Thomas Koch (39.) gave the “Rotjacken” a 3:2 lead after the second frame. Later in the last Steven Oleksy forced overtime, as he converted a rebound and benefited on a deflection. In the extra session the guests seemed to be a way more aggressive, but Linz scored. With 42 seconds left Stefan Gaffal hit the game-winner.
Salzburg dominates Villach to tie series
With a dominating performance from the middle frame on, the EC Red Bull Salzburg cruised past EC Panaceo VSV to grab a 7:2 road-win, taking the first win to tie the “best-of-7” quarterfinal series. The game was tied at 2 after 30 minutes, as Salzburg decided it with five unanswered. Bud Holloway managed to score a hat trick, while the “Red Bulls” scored four on powerplay. Raphael Herburger played his 100th game in the playoffs of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, while Jerry Pollastrone made his 100th goal, as he scored the 2:2 for the VSV in the 28th minute.
A strong middle frame let Graz tie the series
With a 3:2 home-win against the spusu Vienna Capitals, the Moser Medical Graz99ers defended their home-rink to tie the “best-of-7” quarterfinal series. After a goalless first, the Styrian picked it up in the second, scoring three unanswered with Daniel Oberkofler, Karl Johansson and Matt Garbowsky. Finally, the Viennese picked it up in the last, as Ali Wukovits and Ty Loney narrowed the gap with two goals within 120 seconds. But the hosts remained fighting until the end to secure their first postseason-win 2020.
Fr, 06.03.2020, 18:30 Uhr: HC Orli Znojmo – HCB Südtirol Alperia 0:4 (0:1, 0:1, 0:2)
“Best-of-Seven” series: 0:2
Referees: OFNER, PEARCE (CAN), Kontschieder, Seewald. | Spectators: 1.985
Goals HCB: Bardaro (3./PP1), Daly (21.), Giliati (41.), Arniel (59./PP2)
Fr, 06.03.2020, 19:15 Uhr: Moser Medical Graz99ers – spusu Vienna Capitals 3:2 (0:0, 3:0, 0:2)
“Best-of-Seven” series: 1:1
Referees: PIRAGIC, STERNAT, Hribar, Zgonc. | Spectators: 3.456
Goals G99: Oberkofler (26./PP1), Johansson (30.), Garbowsky (37.)
Goals VIC: Wukovits (44./PP1), Loney (46.)
Fr, 06.03.2020, 19:15 Uhr: EC Panaceo VSV – EC Red Bull Salzburg 2:7 (1:1, 1:5, 0:1)
“Best-of-Seven” series: 1:1
Referees: NIKOLIC K., ZRNIC, Nedeljkovic, Schauer. | Spectators: 3.619
Goals VSV: Brunner (8.), Pollastrone (28.)
Goals RBS: Holloway (11., 31., 36./PP1), Herburger (21.), Kolarik (29./PP1), Raffl (38./PP1), Heinrich (55./PP1)
Fr, 06.03.2020, 19:15 Uhr: EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz – EC-KAC 4:3 OT (1:1, 1:2, 1:0, 1:0)
“Best-of-Seven” series: 2:0
Referees: SMETANA, STOLC, Kaspar, Pardatscher. | Spectators: 4.865
Goals BWL: Finn (7.), Kristler (33.), Oleksy (56.), Gaffal (80.)
Goals KAC: Kozek (12.), Fischer (33.), Koch (40.)