HCB Südtirol Alperia wins Champions Hockey League opener after shootout

HCB Südtirol Alperia has put a big statement on their first game in this year Champions Hockey League season. The Italian side booked a 4:3-win after shootout against the three-time Swedish champion Skellefteå AIK. Bozen opened the game perfectly: new-arrival Daniel Catenacci took the lead for the “foxes” after 38 seconds. Mike Blunden increased the lead for the reigning champion of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga later in the first. By return, the Swedish side reduced and later balanced the game at the beginning of the second frame. But Marco Insam stroke back and scored for Bozen later in the second. Skellefteå tied the game again about five minutes to go in the last period. No team could score during regular and extra time. Alex Pertan secured Bozen’s big win in the penalty shootout. 

Champions Hockey League:

Fri, 31.08.2018: HCB Südtirol Alperia - Skellefteå AIK 4:3 SO (2:1, 1:1, 0:1)
Goals: Catenacci (1), Blunden (15), Insam (37), Petan (65)

Kaufbeuren takes revenge on Innsbruck

On Friday three teams of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga have shown some preseason action. HC TWK Innsbruck “Die Haie” faced ESV Kaufbeuren at home. The Austrian side suffered a close 3:4-defeat against the German DEL2-team after overtime. The “sharks” could not manage to score in the first two frames, but they made three goals in the last period and John Lammers secured overtime less than one minute to go. Finally Kaufbeuren captured a close 4:3-win in the extra time and took revenge for the 4:5-defeat against Innsbruck about one week ago. 

Linz looses second last preseason game

On Friday also Liwest Black Wings suffered a close defeat. The upper Austrians lost to Starbulls Rosenheim (GER) 2:3 after penalty shootout, because they had trouble with their offensive play much of the game. Rick Schofield in a power play situation and Bracke Kearns tied the game for EBEL side twice. The decision was made in a thrilling penalty shootout, where Lebler and Locke failed. The hosts converted their penalties. Next Friday Linz will play his last preseason game at Augsburg Panthers (DEL).

Znojmo advances to Tatra Cup final

HC Orli Znojmo has reached the Tatra Cup final. After they had beaten Kosice on Thursday, Znojmo won against the French side Rapaces de Gap 4:2 on Friday. The “eagls” tied the game twice during the game and secured the clear win finally in the last frame. The final will be played on Sunday. 

Preseason games: 

Fri, 31.08.2018, 19:15: HC TWK Innsbruck "Die Haie" - ESV Kaufbeuren 3:4 n.V. (0:1, 0:0, 3:2, 0:1)
Goals: Yogan (46., 49.), Lammers (59.)

Fri, 31.08.2018, 19:30: Starbulls Rosenheim - Liwest Black Wings 3:2 S.O. (1:1, 0:0, 1:1)
Goals: Schofield (12.PP), Kearns (52.)

Fri, 31.08.2018: HC Orli Znojmo - Rapaces de Gap 4:2 (0:1, 1:1, 3:0)
Goals: Lattner (21.), Kalus (45.), Stehlik (48.), McPherson (60.)

(c) HCB/Vanna Antonello