Release from 12.10.2017
Fr, 13.10.2017, 19:15: Dornbirn Bulldogs - EC-KAC
Referees: BERNEKER, M. NIKOLIC, Kaspar, Sparer
- While Dornbirn dropped to bottom place with three successive defeats, KAC returned the the upper half of the table with a home win against Fehervar
- With a 3:0 loss in Zurich KAC was eliminated from Champions Hockey League
- Dornbirn scored at least three goals in their four home games but only won one
- Last campaign KAC won three of four meetings
- In his previous four home games against Klagenfurt Dornbirn's Dustin Sylvester earned one goal and four assists
Martin Grabher-Meier (Dornbirn Bulldogs): „We are not satisfied with our situation. We have to play our game and use our chances. Details decide about winning and losing.
Johannes Bischofberger (EC-KAC): „It's always special to return to my home town. We want to show a reaction after the CHL elimination. We are focusing on our game and try to improve.“
Absentees: Manuel Geier, Patrick Harand, Richie Regehr
Fr, 13.10.2017, 19:15: EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz - EC Red Bull Salzburg
Referees: KELLNER, K. NIKOLIC, Kontschieder, Verworner
- Linz returned to third place with a comeback win in Zagreb, being the second best team in the last five rounds with eleven points
- While the Red Bulls promoted to CHL knockout stage, they suffered one-goal defeats in their last two EBEL games
- Salzburg won four of six season meeting last season, two of them on the road
- Linz has the best PK available, conceding only four goals against in 39 shorthanded situations (89.2%)
- Brian Lebler scored in his last three games against Salzburg
Mike Ouzas (EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz): „Last game we did a lot of things better than in the past. We are becoming stronger and that’s the biggest thing“.
Absentees: Andreas Kristler and Mario Altmann
Doubtful: Dan DaSilva
Raphael Herburger (EC Red Bull Salzburg): „Yesterday we made a step into the right direction. We want to continue against Linz but it's always tough in front of 5.000 home fans.“
Absentees: Matthias Trattnig und Dominique Heinrich
Fr, 13.10.2017, 19:15: Moser Medical Graz99ers - Fehervar AV 19
Referees: JENSEN, LEMELIN, Gatol, Grumsmen
- Last game day Graz (0:3 in Znojmo) and Fehervar (1:3 in Klagenfurt) suffered away defeats
- After an opening defeat against Linz the 99ers have won their next three home games
- After an overtime win in Zagreb the Hungarians lost their next four road games
- While Fehervar has scored the fewest goals (20), Graz has conceded most goals against (37)
- Oliver Setzinger gained eight points (one goal, seven assists) in the last three games against Fehervar
Doug Mason (Coach Moser Medical Graz99ers): „It's important that we are ready to fight and to skate. It's early in the season and we still have to work on few things.“
Benoit Laporte (Coach Fehervar AV19): „We have to find a way not to give one or two goals to the opponent on the road. That’s what happened in Klagenfurt. We know if we do that, we have no chance to win. I know their coach very well, his team is very disciplined and their powerplay works really well. The guys agreed before the Visegrad Cup game on Tuesday that we have to use that game to improve as a team. In the last few games on the road we were nervous, we were afraid that we make mistakes and we didn’t play very aggressive. We want to play our game in Graz.“
Fr, 13.10.2017, 19:45: HCB Südtirol Alperia - KHL Medvescak Zagreb
Referees: BULOVEC, SMETANA, Pardatscher, Zgonc
- Bolzano ended their three-game losing streak on Sunday, Zagreb won five of their last seven games
- For the time ever Bolzano and Zagreb meet in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga
- The only official game between these two sides ended 4:4 (European Cup in October 1990)
- With Austin Smith (17 points), Alex Petan and Mike Halmo (both 14) three HCB lead EBEL scoring charts
- Zagreb's Harri Tikkanen gained one assist in the last four games
Alex Petan (HCB Südtirol Alperia): „We go into every game as it's a playoff game. We have to be well prepared and focused. It's very important to play at home this weekend.“
Connor Cameron (KHL Medvescak Zagreb): „Bolzano is really offensive team with few ups and downs this season. They’re dangerous, we have to play a smart game on Friday, we have to have same efford level. They can score goals, they’re going to be a hard challenge on Friday.”
Doubtful: Mike Boivin
Sa, 14.10.2017, 19:15: Vienna Capitals - HC TWK Innsbruck 'Die Haie'
Referees: JENSEN, PIRAGIC, Grumsmen, Nothegger
- While the Caps came close to CHL promotion but failed in the end, they have won all their EBEL games so far
- Win and loss alternated with each other in Innsbruck's alst eight games, one Sunday they fell to Villach
- The Caps have won their alst eight meetings with Innsbruck
- The Viennese have the best PP available (15 goals in 38 pp occasions, 39.5%), Innsbruck the weakest (four out of 51, 7.8%)
- Innsbruck's new arrival Morten Poulsen can make his debut
Morten Poulsen (HC TWK Innsbruck): „I have always followed the league. We have a good team and I'm looking forward to my first games. I came to be successful“.
Doubtful: Lubomir Stach
Serge Aubin (Coach Vienna Capitals): „Champions Hockey League was a big challenge for us, we have played against other styles of hockey. We did not make it to knockout phase but my team did a great job.“