Release from 19.01.2018
EC KAC II - EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel 14:00
Referees: KUMMER, WIDMANN, Bedynek, Rezek
The EC KAC II is already out of the race for the play off spots. After 31 games the red jackets captured seven points so far and are on the 17th place. Recently the won their second game of the season against Salzburg. For Kitzbühel it will be very tough to reach the playoffs. With ten games left they are already trailing by 16 points to the eighths place. So the eagles would need a winning streak in the final period of the regular season and some help of other teams. The first duel of the season was decided by the KAC with 2:0. But in the last four games Kitzbühel couldn’t book a win.
EK Zeller Eisbären - HC Neumarkt Riwega 19:30
Referees: FICHTNER, LENDL, Kainberger, Legat
The EK Zeller Eisbären are still one out of six teams with ambitions for the important sevenths or eights place. Currently they are only trailing by four points to the last playoff ticket and still have one game more on the schedule than the currently eighth-placed. For Neumarkt the race for the playoffs is already over, but still they want to end the season with a couple of wins. The Eisbären decided the first game against Neumarkt with 2:1. In the league the won the past two games and highlighted their ambitions for the playoffs.
EC Bregenzerwald - HC Fassa Falcons 19:30
Referees: PODLESNIK, STRASSER, Holzer, Kalb
The EC Bregenzerwald is currently on the important eighths place, but the chasing pack is already in lurking position and waiting for the chance to capture the playoff spot. For the Falcons the playoffs are already out of reach. This makes this game for Bregenzerwald a must win, if they want to keep their top-8 eight spot after this round. Recently Bregenzwerwald lost against Lustenau, one of the direct competitors. Bregenzerwald won the first duel against the Falcons with 5:2.
EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice 19:30
Referees: MOSCHEN, VIRTA, Rinker, Tschrepitsch
While HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice is in a comfortable position for the playoffs, the EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau needs a race to catch up for the top-8. Currently they are trailing by five points with still nine games to go. So it’s still a manageable task for the Austrians, but they need to book wins against the better ranked teams like Jesenice. In the first duel Jesenice booked a close 2:1 win.
WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan - HK SZ Olimpija 19:30
Referees: HOLZER, RUETZ, Cristeli, STEFENELLI
It’s a duel of two neighbors in standings. While Ljubljana is on a quite confident position for the playoffs the Broncos still have a tough battle for the qualification. Currently Broncos have an advantage of two points to the ninths place, Ljubljana even nine points. The first duel was decided by Ljubljana in overtime.
Rittner Buam - Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey 20:00
Referees: KUCHER, OFNER, Egger, Piras
The Rittner Buam and Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey are battling for the first place. Asiago is currently on a big run and booked 13 consecutive wins. Ritten won the past six games in Alps Hockey and aims to defend the lead. Both teams are already qualified for playoffs and are now fighting for the first right to pick. Asiago won the first duel against the acting champ with 4:3.
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it - S.G. Cortina Hafro 20:30
Referees: DURCHNER, SUPPER, Giacomozzi, Reisinger
Cortina ended it’s negative run of five defeats against Pustertal recently. Now they need to capture further wins to still qualify for the playoffs. Currently they are trailing by one point to the eighths place. For Gherdeina the playoffs seem to be out of reach. In the first duel Cortina booked a 7:4 win.
FBI VEU Feldkirch - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice 18:00
Referees: PODLESNIK, STRASSER, Holzer, Kalb
The FBI VEU Feldkirch has a quite comfortable position with a 11 points advantage to the ninths place. But still they need further points to book their ticket for the playoffs. Jesenice has two road games this weekend and aim to fix their third place. The first duel was decided by Jesenice in overtime.
Red Bull Hockey Juniors - HC Pustertal Wölfe 19:15
Referees: MORI, PIANEZZE, Bärnthaler, Rinker
The HC Pustertal signed a new forward recently. Jean-Francois Jacques already made 166 NHL and should boost the offense of Pustertal for the deciding phase. Currently Pustertal is on the fourth place and are on the way to book their playoff ticket. The Red Bull Hockey Juniors are currently in the battle for their post season spot. Currently they are trailing by three points to the eighths place, but still have five games more on their schedule.