Release from 19.04.2026

Graz takes a 3–0 lead in the finals with home victory

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The Moser Medical Graz99ers are on the brink of winning their first title in the win2day ICE Hockey League. The Styrians also claimed victory in Game 3 of the finals against HC Falkensteiner Pustertal on Sunday. In front of a sold-out crowd at Merkur Eisstadion, the regular season champions secured a 5–2 win. Graz can now clinch the championship as early as Wednesday in Game 4 in Bruneck.

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The finalists were evenly matched in the first period. Pustertal got off to a good start but failed to capitalise on an early power play. The home side, however, proved once again to be clinical and also took the lead in the third game of the series: in the sold-out Merkur Eisstadion, Kevin Conley deflected a shot from captain Korbinian Holzer in the twelfth minute to make it 1–0. The Graz side then took control, but Pustertal goalkeeper Eddie Pasquale made several fine saves.

The home side went into the second period with a man advantage. When the South Tyroleans were back to full strength, Nicolas Wieser prevented the equaliser with a big save. With an extra man on the ice, the Wolves then managed to level the score: they pinned the 99ers back, and Jonathon Blum found the top corner. The visitors missed the chance to turn the game around during another power play. At five-on-five, Graz took the lead again, playing at a fast pace as Nick Swaney kept his cool against Pasquale. Wieser distinguished himself once more in a one-on-zero situation, and during the next power play, Marcus Vela made it 3-1.

The 99ers went into the final period with a power play, and after 50 seconds Paul Huber sealed the deal. A few minutes later, Huber even made it 5-1. The visitors pulled one back through Rok Tičar (47th/PP), but there was no longer any tension. The hosts won 5-2 and have their first chance to clinch the championship title on Wednesday in Bruneck. Graz, who remain unbeaten in the play-offs, could thus become the third team to achieve a ‘perfect post-season’.

win2day ICE Hockey League, Final Game 3
19 April 2026:
Moser Medical Graz99ers – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal 5–2 (1–0, 2–1, 2–1)
Referees: NIKOLIC M., ZRNIC, Muzsik, Riecken
Goals G99: Conley (12.), Swaney (33.), Vela (39./PP), Huber (41./PP, 45.)
Goals HCP: Blum (29th/PP), Ticar (47th)
Standings in the ‘best-of-seven’ final series: 3–0