Release from 02.02.2018
While the top three of Pick Round, Vienna, Salzburg and Linz, earned clear-cut home wins, the first game day of Qualification Round brought surprises. With Fehervar and Villach two team got road wins, Dornbirn extended the lead.
Caps score five on Zagreb
Vienna Capitals ahd the better of the play in their home game against Zagreb and took the lead thanks to Rafael Rotter after 17 minutes. In the second Ryan McKiernan doubled the lead with a backhander and Julian Großlercher (34') scored for the preliminary decision. With two Medvescak players in the sin bin, Riley Holzapfel added a fourth on a two man advantage. With ten minutes to go Mario Fischer rounded off the scoring and JP Lamoureux celebrated his 5th shutout of the season.
Salzburg beats Innsbruck
The Red Bulls played fast-paced hockey in the opening minutes but the sharks stood firm. Late i nthe period Alexander Rauchenwald broke the spell for a home lead. Innsbruck got off a better start into the second. After a big save of Luka Gracnar against Tyler Spurgeon, it was Philipp Lindner who tied the game. Before the midway point of the game John Hughes restored Salzburg's lead and the Red Bulls also took the momentum into the third. Julien Brouillette extended the lead after 46 minutes. With Innsbruck pulling Swette for another skater, Hughes finished off the scoring - 4:1.
Linz' shutout against Klagenfurt
Linz came out ahrd and Dan DaSilva only hit the post in the opening minute. Soon later Brian Lebler took the lead after a great solo attempt. David Fischer missed Klagenfurt's best chance in the first when he only struck metalwork. The middle frame was a mere only 49 seconds old when Fabio Hofer doubled the score on a deflection. Halfway through the period Jonathan D'Aversa added a third on power play - this was the preliminary decision. The Upper Austrians also controlled the third and Mike Ouzas got his third shutout of the season in a 3:0 win.
Dornbirn extends lead in Qualification Round
With interim coach Rostislav Docekal Znojmo got off a better start. Halfway through the first Jakub Stehlik scored with a blue liner but Dornbirn even turned it around until the intermission: Captain Jamie Aniel (13') tied it on power play and only two minutes later Jerome Leduc lit the lamp. The Czechs equalized with the second period's only goal by Jan Lattner but then Dornbirn pulled clear again. Chris D'Alvise and Kevin Macierzynski scored a brace within two minutes. Tomas Guman reduced the deficit but it was not enough for Znojmo. With pulling the goalie Brodie Reid made it safe.
Villach gets first points
99ers captain Oliver Setzinge received a 2+2 in the opening minute but Vilalch could not capitalize. While VSV goalie Lukas Herzog had some good saves, the visitors took the lead after 15 minutes when Andrew Sarauer scored on Thomas Höneckl. Graz became better in the second and Zintis Zusevics tied it on a solo attempt. Joy was short-lived for the home fans as Ben Walter restored Villach's lead only 121 seconds later. Then things became curious: After Sarauer hit the post, the hosts raised their arms for celebration but video review showed that the puck did not cross the goal line. On Villach's next attack, Jordan Hickmott put the blue shirts 3:1 up. With no more goals in the third Villach ended their six-game losing streak on the road and earned the first points in Qualification Round.
Fehervar wins low-scoring game in Bolzano
Bolzano opened the game offensively-minded and generated a lot. However, the foxes failed on several attempts while Fehervar's Jeff LoVecchio took advantage of a defensive mistake for the first period's only goal. After 46 seconds into the second, Austin Smith found the back of the net for an equalizer. Soon later Bolzano missed some big chances and two times there was a "no goal" call after video review. It remained tied at two after 40 minutes. Things continued in the third and with four minutes to go it was bound to happen: Fehervar's Daniel Koger scored the game winner for the efficient guest who climbed to second place in Qualification Round.
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 1. Pick Round:
Fr, 02.02.2018: Vienna Capitals – KHL Medvescak Zagreb 5:0 (1:0, 2:0, 2:0)
Referees: SMETANA, STERNAT, Ettlmayr, Kaspar; 3.450 spectators
Goals Caps: Rotter (17., 42. Min., PP2), McKiernan (24. Min.), Großlercher (34. Min.), Fischer (51. Min.)
Fr, 02.02.2018: EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz – EC-KAC 3:0 (1:0, 2:0, 0:0)
Referees: LEMELIN, SIEGEL, Nothegger, Seewald; 4.000 spectators
Goals Linz: Lebler (4.), Hofer (21.), D'Aversa (31./pp)
Fr. 02.02.2018: EC Red Bull Salzburg – HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ 4:1 (1:0,1:1,2:0)
Referees: GRUBER/PIRAGIC, 2.210 spectators
Goals RBS: Rauchenwald (19.), Hughes (28., 59./en), Brouillette (46./pp)
Goal HCI: Lindner (22.)
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 1. Qualification Round:
Fr, 02.02.2018: Dornbirn Bulldogs – HC Orli Znojmo 5:3 (2:1, 0:1, 3:1)
Referees: M. NIKOLIC, K. NIKOLIC, Schauer, Tschrepitsch; 1.374 spectators
Goals Dornbirn: 1:1 Arniel (13./pp2), 2:1 Leduc (15.), 3:2 D’Alvise (41.), 4:2 Macierzynski (42.), 5:3 Reid (59.)
Goals Znojmo: 0:1 Stehlik (9.), 2:2 Lattner (24.), 4:3 Guman (45.)
Fr, 02.02.2018: Moser Medical Graz99ers – EC VSV 1:3 (0:1, 1:2, 0:0)
Referees: TRILAR, ZRNIC, Nemeth, Soos; 1.851 spectators
Goal Graz: Zusevics (32.)
Goals Villach: Sarauer (15.), Walter (34.), Hickmott (38.)
Fr, 02.02.2018: HCB Südtirol Alperia – Fehervar AV19 1:2 (0:1 – 1:0 – 0:1)
Referees: KELLNER, STOLC, Kontschieder, Pardatscher; 2.920 spectators
Goal Bolzano: Smith (21.)
Goals Fehervar: LoVecchio (19.), Koger (57.)