Caps extended their lead

The game started exciting between Fehervar and Znojmo, the first chance was served though in the 4th minute, Gilbert missed a breakaway. Fehervar had the puck more, but Znojmo got in the lead. After a face-off Plutner shot and the guests screened well in front of Carruth, Beroun deflected the puck that went in the net. After the goal Matus fouled but Fehervar missed the opportunity. Five on five Carruth had to save more, and in the second powerplay of the home team the Koger-Erdely-Hari line tied the game with a shot from close. On the other end, Carruth made the save of the game after Lattner’s shot. For the remaining time, the game became balanced, and right after the end, Hari got a penalty, that is why period 2 started with a Znojmo powerplay.

The Hungarians defended well in the penalty killing, the 2 minutes went on without big chances. The upcoming minutes were fast and the sold out Gábor Ocskay Jr. Rink could watch quality hockey, yet without another goal. Yellow Horn hit the post and Koger could have scored his team’s second goal. In the 30th minute Pilhal had to sit in the penalty box, Manavian, Gilbert, Uotila and Koger also threatened, then the Eagles played five on four after Erdely’s penalty, but they left the powerplay unused. Znojmo pushed harder before the buzzer and the period ended with a missed chance from Matus.

The third period started with Znojmo domincance, and Carruth had to save. After minutes spent in front of the home net, Manavian’s shot came back from the board and Erdely missed the chance. 10 minutes left in the game, Znojmo got in the lead again, Guman put the puck in the net from the side. Harty had to sit in the penalty box but Roman Simicek’s team could not threaten, then Pilhal fouled, without Fehervar success five on four. Moreover, Cip got a penalty as well but Koger and co. could not score. Playing full strength, Hannu Järvenpää used his timeout and it gave enough momentum for his team, Daniel Koger tied the game just a minute before the end. In the overtime, Fehervar was the better team on ice, but the decision was left for the penalty shootout. After the first three rounds, Latendresse and Hari and ont he other side Yellow Horn and Mrazek scored. Yellow Horn’s second shot went right to the goal line, the refs decided for a goal after using the video goal judge system. Hari was next, he scored, then Mrazek missed and finally it was Janos Hari to earn the extra point for Fehervar.

 

Both teams started the game aggressively, but the first hard shot on goal came after five minutes from Jamie Lundmark from the blue line. Two minutes later a pass from the left found Manuel Geier alone in the slot, but Villim Rosandic was ready for the backhander. After the ensuing faceoff Medvescak threatened twice, unlucky. KAC were more active throughout the game, but couldn't find a way to beat a brilliant home goalie. The home team were the first to get on the board in the 14th minute, Samson Mahbod beat Duba with a backhander from the slot. Late in the period Johannes Bischofberger tied the game at one after a mistake by the home goalie behind the net.

Medvescak opened the period the best possible way - Garrett Noonan. After the goal KAC put a lot of pressure on Medvescak throughout the second period while the Bears played mostly on counters. Despite a high count of shots, Rosandic managed to keep the puck safely away from the net with more than just a few nifty saves. Two minutes before the break Julian Talbot tied the game again, so the teams started the final 20 minutes even.

Four minutes into the third period Sondre Olden broke away all alone with Tomas Duba, but the Czech kept his head cool and the result unchanged. Four minutes later KAC 74 receives a rebound in the slot and tries to beat late Rosandic, but only finds the goalie's glove. Seven minutes before the buzzer Vilim Rosandic pulls of a highlight-reel save when he caught a shot lying on the ice raising his glove up high. The ensuing play had Netik alone between the cirles but his slapshot went slightly above the bar. Sondre Olden took the the shot from the right, the puck deflected off a player in front of the goal and beat Duba low for the game winner.

 

HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ had two early chances from Tyler Spurgeon in the Tyrolean derby, but Pekka Tuokkola was ready. This was a wake-up call for the Foxes, who tested now a few times Innsbruck’s goalie Patrik Nechvatal. In minute eleven Fabio Schramm outplayed Bozens defense, before he was stopped by Tuokkola. From the following Penaltyshot the Youngster scored the 1:0. The Italians answered with much pressure: Frigo after a 3-on-1-attack and Halmo missed good chances. Also in period 2 Innsbruck had the better start, but again Tuokkola was ready after a shot from Stach. The Foxes on the other side also could not take advantage from a 5-on-3 Power Play. Then a big shot from Halmo missed the net and on the other side Yogan stayed unlucky. In period 3 Bozen searched his luck in the offense. Innsbruck stayed dangerous from counter attacks from Wehrs and Yogan. In a Power Play the Austrians finally extended their lead: Blain scored from a rebound after a shot from Bishop. The Foxes missed too many chances, inter alia counter-attacks from Sointu and Petan, shots from Schweitzer, Gartner and Frank or an individual action from Halmo. The 1:2 after a deflection from Petan in minute 59 came too late for a comeback from Bozen. So Innsbruck celebrated their first ever win at Bozen in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga.

 

The Moser Medical Graz99ers started strong into their home-game against EC VSV. The Styrians also took advantage from their dominance: Brock Higgs from a rebound, Zintis Nauris Zusevics and Ken Ograjensek were successful and gave their team a 3:0-lead after just 13 minutes. After the re-start Villach showed another face. The Eagles produced some good chances now. Finally Miha Verlic finished a nice solo for the 1:3 and then Istvan Sofron even made the 2:3. The Carinthians continued to make pressure in period 3, while the Mur Citizens searched their luck in counter attacks. After one counter attack Brock Higgs scored the 4:2 from a rebound. Villach did not give up. Jordan Hickmott made the 3:4, but the 99ers quickly answered with the finals 5:3.

 

Already after 59 seconds Rob Schremp opened the scoring at Dornbirn. The Bulldogs answered in a Power Play in minute 6: Sean McMonagle scored from his own rebound. Salzburg stayed unimpressed and was not to stop anymore in the following 54 minutes: Thomas Raffl (7.) and Martin Stajnoch (19.) gave the Mozart Citizens a 3:1-lead still in period 1. Also in period 2 the guests made a quick goal: This time Harris needed only 35 seconds in a Power Play to add the 4:1. The Vorarlberger did not give up and fighted, but Salzburg scored again: Stajnoch was successful with a big slapshot. Now Rinne left his net and was replaced by Thomas Stroj. In minute 35 Stefan Häußle took advantage from a Penaltyshot - 2:5. The Bulldogs tried to score another goal, but without success. On the other side Salzburg decided the game with goals from Mario Huber (53.) and Ryan Duncan (54.). In the end the Red Bulls won 8:3.

 

The Vienna Capitals took the lead against Linz in a Power Play: First Patrick Spannring missed a break-away for the Black Wings, he just hit the post and from the counter-attack Pollastrone made the 1:0. The best chances for the equalizer had DaSilva and Hofer after nice combinations. Period 2 started perfect for Vienna: Already after 35 seconds Rafael Rotter added the 2:0. The Caps had chances for a higher lead, but goalie Mike Ouzas was not to beat anymore. This was a wake-up call for the Upper Austrians. In a Power Play DaSilva just hit the post from the slot. In period 3 Linz equalized: Bernard Fechting (46.) from close range and D’Aversa (47.) with a big shot from the blue line were successful within 48 seconds. But then the guests took penalties and this was punished by Vienna. Rotter scored the final 3:2 from close range in a Power Play.

 

Sat, 30.12.2017: Vienna Capitals - EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz 3:2 (1:0,2:0,1:2)
Referees: BULOVEC, ZRNIC; spectators: 6.500
Goals VIC: 1:0 Pollastrone (9./PP), 2:0 Rotter (21., 52./pp)
Goals BWL: 2:1 Fechtig (46.), 2:2 Lebler (47.).

Sat, 30.12.2017: Dornbirn Bulldogs – EC Red Bull Salzburg 3:8 (1:3, 1:2, 1:3).
Referees: K. NIKOLIC, URBAN; spectators: 3.420
Goals DEC: McMonagle (6./pp), Häußle (35./PS), Macierzynski (60.)
Goals RBS: Schremp (1.), Raffl (7., 60.), Stajnoch (19., 30.), Harris (21./pp1), Huber (53.), Duncan (54.)

Sat, 30.12.2017: Moser Medical Graz99ers – EC VSV 5:3 (3:0,0:2,2:1)
Referees: FICHTNER, PIRAGIC; spectators: 3.021
Goals G99: Nixon (5.), Zusevics (9.), Ograjensek (13.), Higgs (51.), Pirmann (60./EN)
Goals VSV: Verlic (27.), Sofron (37.), Hickmott (55.)

Sat, 30.12.2017: HCB Südtirol Alperia - HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ 1:2 (0:1, 0:0, 1:1)
Referees: GAMPER, STOLC; spectators: 4.060
Goal HCB: Petan (59.)
Goals HCI: Schramm (12./PS), Ouellet-Blain (53./pp)

Sat, 30.12.2017: Fehervar AV19 – HC Orli Znojmo 3:2/SO (1:1,0:0,1:1,0:0,1:0)
Referees:  SIEGEL, BABIC; spectators: 3.425
Goals AVS: Hari (12./pp, 65./entsch. Penalty), Koger (59.)
Goals ZNO: Beroun (7.), Guman (50.)

Sat, 30.12.2017: KHL Medvescak Zagreb – EC-KAC 3:2 (1:1,1:1,1:0)
Referees: KELLNER, SMETANA; spectators: 5.899
Goals MZA: Mahbod (14.), Noonan (21./pp2), Olden (56.).
Goals KAC: Bischofberger (18./sh), Talbot (38.)