Release from 17.04.2026

Graz takes 2–0 lead in the final series after convincing road win

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The Moser Medical Graz99ers remain unbeaten in the 2026 playoffs and are now just two wins away from claiming their first-ever win2day ICE Hockey League title. Just like the series opener, Friday’s Game 2 ended in a 5–1 victory for the 99ers. Notably, four of the goals were scored by defensemen, while goaltender Nicolas Wieser impressed with several outstanding saves. The final series continues on Sunday at 16:30 with Game 3 at the Merkur Eisstadion.

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The matchup was high-intensity from the opening faceoff, and it took just 177 seconds for Graz to take the lead through a shot by defenseman Kasper Kotkansalo. Unlike in the first game, however, Pustertal responded strongly and created several high-quality chances, including two shots off the post in front of 3,104 fans at a sold-out Intercable Arena. Wieser, once again filling in for the injured Maxime Lagacé, stood tall with a series of strong saves. Despite Pustertal holding a slight edge in play, the visitors took a 1–0 lead into the first intermission.

In the second period, Pustertal picked up right where they had left off and generated two more big chances within seconds, while regular season winners Graz were largely forced to defend. In the first five minutes alone, the Wolves recorded ten shots on goal, but Wieser remained unbeatable. Then came the turning point: as is often the case in hockey, missed chances were punished. Daniel Glira was sent to the penalty box for hooking in the 28th minute, and just six seconds before the power play expired, Frank Hora scored to make it 2–0 for Graz. Exactly four minutes later, Graz struck again: off a faceoff win by Michael Schiechl, Nick Bailen fired a powerful shot from the blue line, extending the lead to 3–0 after 34 minutes. Thirteen seconds before the end of the period, things got even worse for Pustertal as Anders Koch made it 4–0 – all four goals had now been scored by defensemen. Moments earlier, Pustertal had a power play but once again hit the post.

The final period saw a noticeably slower tempo, with few clear scoring chances. In the 52nd minute, the visitors struck again as Nick Swaney scored a highlight-reel goal to make it 5–0. It was the only goal of the night scored by a forward for Graz. With four minutes remaining, the home team finally got on the scoreboard through Adam Almquist – denying Wieser his second shutout of the season. He finished with 30 saves on 31 shots, and the game ended just like Game 1, with a 5–1 win for the Styrians.

win2day ICE Hockey League:
Fri, 17.04.2026:
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – Moser Medical Graz99ers 1:5 (0:1, 0:3, 1:1)
Referees: HUBER A., OFNER, Durmis, Nothegger
Standings in the best-of-7 final series: 0:2
Goal HCP: Almquist A. (56.)
Goals G99: 0:1 Kotkansalo K. (3.), 0:2 Hora F. (30./PP1), 0:3 Bailen N. (34.), 0:4 Koch A. (40.), 0:5 Swaney N. (52.)