Release from 22.02.2018
KAC back on road of success
The KHL Medvescak Zagreb started with an early goal of Jozef Balej. After that both teams couldn’t create big chances. In the 16th minutes the Croatians stroke quite unexpected. Sondre Olden doubled the lead with a shot under the cross-bar. In the second period the lack of confidence of the KAC was obvious. In the final period the KAC increased the intensity and succeeded with their first goal of Manuel Ganahl. But Balej recreated the two goals lead in powerplay. In the 56th minutes Andrew Kozek scored the second goal for the KAC. In the final seconds the redjackets acted in double powerplay. First Martin Schumnig equalized the game, before Manuel Ganahl found the decision only six seconds before the end.
Vienna Capitals defend top position
The Red Bulls had to take an early penalty and Jerry Pollastrone executed the powerplay well for the early lead for the Caps. After that the hosts found their rhythm and created a couple of chances. Matt Generous succeeded with the equalizer after the perfect serve of Rob Schremp. In the second period Bernhard Starkbaum managed to keep the tie. The game was on an even level with good chances on both sides. Only 18 seconds before the break Brandon Buck recaptured the lead in his first game for his new club. In the final period Buck already celebrated his second goal, but the whistle was blown before. In the 46th minute Jerry Pollastrone scored the third goal and decided the game.
Innsbruck booked shootout success
Both teams had some troubles to find into the game. Linz capitalized from the first big mistake of Innsbruck and Corey Locke opened the scoring. After that Innsbruck found its rhythm, but the host missed their chances. The Black Wings acted more effective and Rick Schofield doubled the lead in powerplay. Innsbruck increased intensity and John Lammes narrowed the gap to 1:2. The Back Wings couldn’t convert some further chances. Innsbruck seemed to control the game now, but Linz kept to be dangerous in breakaways. Two minutes before the end of the second Locke scored his second goal of the night. In the final period Linz focused on defense John Lammers managed to score the 2:3 and to reopen the game. Morten Poulsen even succeeded with the equalizer in powerplay. No goals were scored in the final minutes and in overtime. Andrew Yogan found the decision in shoot out and captured two points for his team.
Znojmo captured two points in Fehervar
The game started better for the home team as Pilhal fouled in the 23rd second of the game, yet Koger and co. did not use the opportunity, the powerplay went on without big chances. Playing full strength, the Eagles were the better team on ice as Fehervar could barely get to the guests’ end. Palin got a penalty for holding and the Czechs used their powerplay, Corbett’s shot was deflected by Yellow Horn. After the goal, Znojmo battled hard and Carruth had to save, the game went on in front of his net. The guest had the momentum throughout the next 10 minutes, the guests bounced back only on the powerplay. Biro was in the penalty box, however, there was no goal five on four. Just as he was back on ice, Gilbert passed to Erdely who did not miss from close. The second period started more balanced and both teams threatened in the first minutes. Fehervar missed two more powerplay opportunities without big chances, it seemed that the Hungarians did not find the key against Znojmo defense. In the middle of the period, the Latendresse-LoVecchio-Gilbert line showed up but Schwarz saved all shots. Znojmo showed more quality attacks in the second half of the period, but their powerplay was ineffective during Uotila’s penalty. LoVecchio missed a breakaway three minutes left in the period and on the other end, Corbett hit the crossbar. Both teams wanted the lead at the beginning of the third period but both goalies saved well. In the next minutes, there were fewer and fewer quality shots and the pace of the game slowed down. However, in the middle of the period the guests started to push harder and it resulted in a goal: Biro put his team in the lead again with a blueliner. After the goal, neither team created dangerous chances, there were only a few clean passes and shots. 2 minutes left in the game, Manavian passed to the crease and LoVecchio tipped in well and he tied the game again, somewhat unexpected. In the overtime, Fehervar had every chance to win the game as the Hungarians had the puck for the whole time, but Koger and LoVecchio both missed. Sarpatki and Hari both missed in the penalty shootout, whereas Mrazek and Guman scored and Znojmo won the game.
Dornbirn increases lead in Qualification Round
Mario Lamoureux celebrated his league comeback at his debut for the Moser Medical Graz 99ers Matt Fraser opened the scoring right in the beginning. Cody Sylvester doubled the lead only moments after that. The 99ers lacked of self-confidence after their losing streak. Brian Connelly increased the lead for Dornbirn to 3:0 still in the first period. The 99ers created only one big chance, when Oliver Setzinger only hit the cross bar. In the second period the 99ers found their rhythm. Lamoureux score the first goal in his first game for the 1:3. Only two minutes later he stroke again and brought his team back into the game. DThe 99ers missed a couple of chances for the equalizer, Martin Grabher-Maier did it better and recreated the two goals lead only seconds before the end of the second period. The 99ers increased intensity and Anthony Camara narrowed the gap again. But the Bulldogs kept their nerves and scored three more goals for the 7:3 success.
Bozen booked win in Villach
The EC VSV started strong into game and Valentin Leiler opened the scoring in the second minute. Goalie Tukkola couldn’t control the puck after a shot of Shields and Leiler delivered the puck into the open goal. After that the game was interrupted after an injury Istvan Sofron. Villach seemed a bit shocked and lost control over the game. Petan scored the equalizer after assists of DeSousa and Sointu. In the 16th minute Rank captured the lead for the guests. The foxes were able to preserve their fire an started stong in the second period. Egger scored in the 30th minute and Monardo increased in six minutes later. In the final period Bozen managed to bring the lead home and celebrated a 4:1 success.
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 5. Pick Round:
Mi, 21. 02. 2018: EC-KAC – KHL Medvescak Zagreb 4:3 (0:2/0:0/4:1)
Referees: ROHATSCH, TRILAR, Nagy, Soos; Zuschauer: 2.419
Goals KAC: Ganahl (42.; 60./pp)), Kozek (56.), Schumnig (60./pp)
Goals MZA: Balej (2.; 45/pp), Olden (16.)
Mi. 21.02.2018: EC Red Bull Salzburg – Vienna Capitals 1:3 (1:1,0:1,0:1)
Schiedsrichter: BERNEKER/PIRAGIC, 3.120 Zuschauer;
Goal RBS: Generous (18.)
Goals VIC: Pollastrone (4./pp;46./pp), Buck (40.)
HC TWK Innsbruck – Black Wings Linz 4:3 OT (0:2, 1:1, 2:0, 0:0)
Goals HCI: Lammers (21., 47./pp), Poulsen (51./pp), Yogan (entsch. Penalty). Goals BWL: Lebler (11.), Schofield (19./pp), Locke (38.).
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 5. Qualification Round:
Mi, 21.02.2018: Fehervar AV19 – HC Orli Znojmo 2:3 SO (0:2, 0:0, 2:0, 0:0)
Referees: BALUSKA, SMETANA, Gatol, Nemeth.
Goals AVS: Erdely (19.), Lovecchio (58.)
Goals ZNO: Yellow Horn (5./pp1), Biro (51.), Mrazek (65./entsch. pen.)
Mi, 21.02.2018: EC VSV – HCB Südtirol Alperia 1:4 (1:2, 0:2, 0:0)
Referees: GRUBER, K. NIKOLIC, Nothegger, Seewald.
Goals VSV: Leiler (2.)
Goals HCB: Petan (14.), Frank (16.), Egger (30.), Monardo (36.)
Mi, 21.02.2018: Moser Medical Graz99ers – Dornbirn Bulldogs 3:7 (0:3, 2:1, 1:3)
Referees: M. NIKOLIC, SIEGEL, Ettlmayr, Tschrepitsch.
Goals G99: Lamoureux (25./pp1, 27./pp1), Camara (46.),
Goals DEC: Fraser (4.), Sylvester (4.), Connelly (9.), Grabher Meier (40.), Arniel (51./pp1), Fraser (52.), Sylvester (60.)