Release from 23.02.2019
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 5. Pick Round:
Sun, 24.02.2019: EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Fehervar AV19 (16:00)
Referees: BAUER, SMETANA, Hofer, Seewald.
• EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Fehervar AV19 is the meeting of two neighbours in the standing. The Mozart Citizens have four points so far and are ranked on place 5 in the Pick Round. The Hungarians follow with zero points on place 6. Each club needs three points in the fight for a Top 4 position and home-advantage in the Playoff Quarterfinals.
• Each team will try to earn their first victory in regular time in the Pick Round in the Mozart City on Sunday: EC Red Bull Salzburg has four points so far and has also clebrated their first win in February on Friday by beating HCB Südtirol Alperia at home 4:3/OT, but is still without a win in regular time. Fehervar AV19 has even stayed without points in all four matches in the Pick Round so far...
• EC Red Bull Salzburg has won four straight home-games against Fehervar AV19 (8:4, 2:0, 9:0, 8:3), netting 27 goals. But, watch out: The Hungarians got their last win in the last round of the first part of the regular season against the Red Bulls at home (6:3). Their last success in the Mozart City, Daniel Koger and Co. have celebrated on December 18th 2016 or 797 days ago.
• The two teams have potted fewest goals in the Pick Round so far and have given away most goals too (each 16).
• Fehervar AV19 has the best scoring% (12.6%): The Devils have potted 173 goals out of 1.373 shots on net so far. But, most goals have been scored by EC Red Bull Salzburg (190). The Mozart Citizens are the best team in Penalty Killing as well (PK%: 86.2).
Quotes:
Raphael Herburger, forward EC Red Bull Salzburg: „Fehervar AV19 is a good team. The match will be another challenge. But, we need this win. We are not allowed to give away easy goals.“
Hannu Järvenpää, Headcoach Fehervar AV19: „We have to be ready from the start and we have to play competitive hockey all 60 minutes!“
Sun, 24.02.2019: spusu Vienna Capitals vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers (17:30)
Referees: PIRAGIC, TRILAR, Nagy, Nemeth.
• spusu Vienna Capitals and Leader Moser Medical Graz99ers will be in a fight for place 1 in the Pick Round in Vienna on Sunday. The Styrians are leading the ranking with 18 points ahead of the Caps (15). The Mur Citizens need one point out of the game in Vienna to defend place 1. In this case, Oliver Setzinger and Co. would have already fixed a top 4 position and home-advantage for the Quarterfinals.
• Each team has been convincing lately: spusu Vienna Capitals have left the ice as the winner in five straight games and the 99ers have even been successful in eight consecutive matches.
• spusu Vienna Capitals vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers is the meeting between the best offensive club of the Pick Round and the best defensive teams of the Pick Round: While the Caps have allowed just four goals out of four games, the Styrians have already netted 17 goals.
• The best home-team will meet with the best road-team in Vienna on Sunday: While spusu Vienna Capitals have already collected 55 points (18 wins) out of 24 games at home, the 99ers got 45 points (16 successes) out of 24 road-games so far. Besides, the Mur Citizens have won ten straight road-games too, among others, the 99ers won 5:3 in Vienna on Februay 1st 2019.
• Moser Medical Graz99ers have the best Power Play: The Styrians have already netted 44 goals out of 165 Power Plays.
Quotes:
Patrick Peter, defenseman spusu Vienna Capitals: „Our game is improving day by day. Now, everybody is already looking forward to the two big games against the 99ers!“
Robin Weihager, defenseman Moser Medical Graz99ers: „We are looking forward to a big challenge in Vienna on Sunday. The Caps have a strong team. But, we know, we can beat each team!“
Sun, 24.02.2019: HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. EC-KAC (18:00)
Referees: BERNEKER, M. NIKOLIC, Basso, Schauer.
• The match HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. EC-KAC will start with a "big party" on Sunday (17:30). HCB will celebrate its 85th anniversary and the club is retiring the number #33 as a honor of Gino Pasqualotto.
• Champion HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. EC-KAC is the meeting of two neighbours in the standing, who are involved in the fight for a top 4 position and home-advantage in the Playoff Quarterfinals. Bozen has four points so far and is ranked on place 4 in the Pick Round. Klagenfurt has already collected eight points and is ranked on place 3.
• Each team will try to return on the winning street. HCB Südtirol Alperia lost 3:4/OT in Salzburg on Friday and the Austrians stayed without points against the top-teams from Vienna and Graz lately and have scored just one goal per game.
• EC-KAC will travel with good memories to Bozen. The Red Jackets have won all four season-meetings with the Foxes so far.
• EC-KAC has allowed fewest goals so far (107). Besides, HCB vs. KAC is the meeting of the best goalies: Lars Haugen (KAC, save%: 92.7 and GAA: 1.82) is leading the goalie-statistics ahead of Leland Irving (HCB, save%: 92.1 and GAA: 2.49).
Quotes:
Anton Bernard, Captain HCB Südtirol Alperia: „We go for our first season-win against Klagenfurt. Therefore, we have to play solid defense and we have to be successful with our Special Units.“
Nick Petersen, Topscorer EC-KAC: „The game in Bozen is very important for us. After two straight defeats, we want to return on the winning street and secure place 3. We will be ready."
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 5. Qualification Round:
Sun, 24.02.2019: HC Orli Znojmo vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz (17:30)
Referees: BALUSKA, ZRNIC, Nedeljkovic, Soos.
• HC Orli Znojmo will welcome EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz in the top-clash of the Qualification Round on Sunday. The Czechs are leading the ranking with 13 points out of three games ahead of the Upper Austrians (10). The Steel Citizens must win with +7 goals to overtake Znojmo in the ranking.
• HC Orli Znojmo has been convincing in the Intermediate Round so far. The Czechs have won all three games, scoring most goals (16) and giving away fewest goals (6) too.
• It is 2:2 in the season-contest. The Black Wings have won the last meeting after a goal festival 8:5 in Znojmo on New Years Day 2019.
• Black Wings goalie Mike Ouzas has celebrated most Shut Outs (4) 2018/19. Besides, KAC-goalie Lars Haugen has allowed no goals in four games too.
• Znojmos Marek Kalus (57 points – 27G/30A) and Linz’s Dan DaSilva (44 points - 20G/24A) are their teams best scorers.
Quotes:
David Bartos, player HC Orli Znojmo: „We have to stay humble and continue to work hard like we did in last games. We want to continue our winning run in February and we are confident we can score goals. Sometimes we get ourselves under pressure in the defensive zone and we have to work on that. But our play in general and especially in 5-on-5 is good. I feel good personally, we have a good chemistry with other guys on the same line.”
Tom Rowe, Headcoach EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: „We have to stay out of the penalty box. This is a key factor for us.“
Sun, 24.02.2019: EC Panaceo VSV vs. Dornbirn Bulldogs (17:30, www.servushockeynight.com live)
Referees: GARON, K. NIKOLIC, Kontschieder, Zgonc.
• Bottom club EC Panaceo VSV and the Dornbirn Bulldogs will face each other in the upcoming two rounds. The first meeting will take place in Villach on Sunday and the re-match will follow in Vorarlberg on Friday. Each team needs the win in the fight for the last two Playoff tickets.
• The Austrian clash of the Qualification Round will be broadcasted live by www.servushockeynight.com on Sunday (17:15).
• The two clubs have shown different faces lately: While EC Panaceo VSV has been successful in all three home-games in February, the Vorarlberger have been defeated in four straight road-games. The Eagles have started their good home-run against the Bulldogs on February 1st (3:2/OT).
• With Bulldog Brendan O’Donnell the League‘s best goal scorer arrives in Villach on Sunday. The forward has already netted 32 goals out of 40 games this season. On the other side, the Eagles had problems to score in the Qualification Round so far, they made just six goals out of three games.
• DEC is better ranked then Villach in all special statistics (Power Play, Penalty Killing. Fair Play and scoring efficiency).
Quotes:
Gerhard Unterluggauer, Headcoach EC Panaceo VSV: „We need a good start and we have to play our game without beeing nervous.“
Dave MacQueen, Head Coach Dornbirn Bulldogs: „Villach is playing a heavy game at home, they finish checks. We have to be ready to battle.“