Release from 01.09.2019

Graz takes one point at Cardiff | Vienna lost again

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The Moser Medical Graz99ers took a point on second Champions Hockey League game day too, as the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga side secured overtime at Cardiff Devils but lost 3:4 after shootout. New arrival Trevor Hamilton scored a brace. The spusu Vienna Capitals got its second CHL defeat, losing to Djurgarden Stockholm 1:2, after leading 1:0 in the first. Further, three more Erste Bank Eishockey Liga teams were successful in preseason games. 

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Graz takes one point at Cardiff
After the huge upset on Friday at Frölunda HC, the Moser Medical Graz99ers gained another point at Cardiff Devils, losing 3:4 after shootout. Cardiff tops group H after two game days, while Graz finished the first Champions Hockey League weekend second.
Just over 4 minutes into the contest, Trevor Hamilton opened the scoring for Graz with a shot from the back door, jumping on the rebound after Ben Bowns initially made a good stop, but couldn't do anything to stop the second attempt. Cardiff almost grabbed an equalizer midway through the first period, Matias Sointu on his debut saw his shot saved by Cristopher Nihlstorp and with Stephen Dixon jumping on the rebound, he couldn’t find anything on than the post which kept Graz99ers ahead by one where the score would remain following the opening period of play. It took a lengthy delayed penalty early in the second period for the Devils to finally grab the goal they’d been searching for. They kept the play alive and the tired legs of the Graz defence on the ice, Sean Bentivoglio tapped in the equaliszer. The Devils continued to attack and it paid off again on the rebound. A shot off Nihlstorp’s pads sprung loose to Mark Louis who calmly fired the puck into the back of the net to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage midway through the second. But late in the period Graz would tie things up after some extended pressure in the offensive zone through Philipp Linder. The scoring wasn’t over however as the Devils regained the lead with around 90 seconds to go in the period as Mike McNamee grabbed his second of the campaign. Graz left it late but they eventually tied the scoring as Trevor Hamilton found the back of the net again in similar fashion to his first goal with just over three minutes remaining, and it took the game all the way to overtime and a shootout. The goalies stood on their heads in the first six rounds of the shootout, but eventually in round seven, Sean McMonagle of the Devils found the back of the net and decided the game.

Cardiff Devils (WAL) – Moser Medical Graz99ers 4:3 SO (0:1, 3:1, 0:1, 0:0)
Goals G99: Hamilton (5., 57./PP), Lindner (36.)


Vienna loses second home game too
The spusu Vienna Capitals were defeated for the second straight home game, as the Austrians lost to Djurgarden Stockholm 1:2. Vienna remains pointless on fourth place in group F, while the Swedish side tops the standings with six points.
The first period was quite evenly played and the only goal was scored by Vienna on their only power play of the period when Alex Wall ripped a wrist shot over the shoulder of Robin Jensen. Djurgården came out much stronger in the second period and immediately began pressing for a goal. It came in the 24th minute when Michael Haga found Sebastian Strandberg streaking to the net and he one-timed it before Zapolski could slide across. It looked like Djurgården might take over the game at that point, but Vienna held steady and even came up with an offensive push of their own late in the period but failed to score. It remained 1:1 after two. Djurgården again came out strong in the third period and took the lead for the first and only time with 15:34 to play on a goal that looked very similar to their first one – this time it was Anton Hedman finding Tom Wandell heading to the net. Vienna didn’t give up and pushed hard for the equalizer, but just weren’t able to get it.

spusu Vienna Capitals – Djurgarden Stockholm 1:2 (1:0, 0:1, 0:1)
Goal VIC: Wall (14.)


Trio wins preseason games
Three teams of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga played friendlies, with HCB Südtirol Alperia remaining unbeaten after four games. The “foxes“ took a 5:4 shootout win against Stavanger Oilers (NOR) to win the “Südtirol Summer Classic”. Further the EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz defeated DEL side Straubing Tigers 2:1 with Brian Lebler and Dan DaSilva scoring for the Austrians. After harsh defeats during the past days, the Dornbirn Bulldogs came back with a 5:2 victory over Ravensburg Towerstars (GER). Mathias Bau went for the preliminary decision after only five seconds played in the last. Latest new arrival Robin Gartner scored too.

Preseason, Sunday:
Sun, 01.09.2019: HCB Südtirol Alperia – Stavanger Oilers 5:4 SO (2:2, 1:0, 1:2, 0:0)
Sun, 01.09.2019: EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz - Straubing Tigers 2:1 (1:0, 1:1, 0:0)
Sun, 01.09.2019: Dornbirn Bulldogs – Ravensburg Towerstars 5:2 (1:1, 2:1, 2:0)

Here you find Erste Bank Eishockey Liga’s full preseason schedule.

Fotocredit: (c) CHL Helen Brabon