Release from 26.01.2017
On Friday the third game day of Intermediate Round takes place. Both the top duos of Pick Round and Qualification Round play in front of their home crowd with EC VSV hosting Dornbirner Eishockey Club in the Sky live game.
Villach and Dornbirn under pressure
After a clear-cut opening win, EC VSV suffered a tough defeat in Szekesfehervar lately. Netminder Lukas Herzog, who replaced injured Olivier Roy, conceded six goals against. Now the blue shirts build on their good home record when welcoming Dornbirn on Friday. The Carinthians won four of their alst five home games and beat the Bulldogs twice at Stadthalle earlier this season. „For us every game is the most important right now. Dornbirn plays a physical game and it will be important to have a good start", tells us Corey Locke. After two defeats Dornbirn has an eight-point deficit to second-placed Villach. "Both teams really need the points, it will be a tough battle. We have to be focused for 60 minutes and use our chances", says Niki Petrik who returns to his youth club this evening.
Fehervar tries to do their duty against Olimpija
Fehervar is ahead of a very important weekend. On Friday, the Hungarians meet Ljubljana and are up for a win against the Slovenians. Although Sofron and co. had much difficulty beating the Dragons, the game on Friday is crucial for Fehervar in the run for the playoffs. "Ljubljana is a very dangerous team. They showed us during the season that they can win against us. Besides, they have nothing to lose. Although they only have three lines, we can't underestimate them. We have to be ready and play our best game to win", said Benoit Laporte before the game. Even though the chances of top two place for Olimpija are getting slimmer the team doesn't think of giving up on them just yet. That's why they say they're going to Szekesfehervar for an upset. For the remainder of the season the dragons will have to do without Sebastjan Hadzic who transferred back to Jesenice on Monday. It's Tilen Spreitzer with the quote: "We haven't started qualification round like we hoped. Still we're not totally out of contention just yet but we have to collect some points. It's going to be a hard game in Szekesfehervar. Like once already hopefully we can make it go our way."
Graz and Znojmo want to prolong winning streak
Moser Medical Graz99ers and HC Orli Znojmo are on fire with the Czechs having a three-game winning streak while the Styrians even won one more. After a 3:2 win in Dornbirn, the 99ers took over at the top of the Qualification Round table. "The second period was very good, the two goals helped us a lot. These situation give momentum and that's what we have to work for against Znojmo again", says coach Doug Mason. The Czechs decided three of four season meetings to their favour but lost the last one. The Eagles have not missed EBEL postseason until now. "You can lose games in the first phase but now it's about everything. We respect our opponents ut have to be self-confident in Graz, too", knows Captain Jiri Beroun.
Bolzano travels to Vienna
After losing the first game, UPC Vienna Capitals hit back with a road win in Innsbruck. In the race for a Champions Hockey League spot, the Viennese host Bolzano on Friday with MacGregor Sharp, Taylor Vause and Jerry Pollastrone playing their former club. "We have to win the battles for the puck and stick to our game plan. Bolzano won't come to Vienna to drop some points", knows Mario Fischer. The Caps still will be without Ali Wukovits and Benjamin Nissner. The foxes still wait for their first points in Pick Round but are always a dangerous opponent. Despite losing three of four season meeting, the games were tight with three of them being decided by only one goal. "We have not won in Vienna for a long time. We must be hungry, disciplined and take advantage of our chances", reports Michele Marchetti.
Innsbruck wants to get on the scorebaord against KAC
Innsbruck not only lost the first two Pick Round games, they are waiting for a win for five games. Now they are playing KAC at home and have good memories as they beat the record-holding champions twice in their building this season. "We have to improve and increase our speeed, intensity and effort. We should not be satisfied with reaching the palyoffs", says Rob Pallin critically. His top scorer Andrew Clark is doubtful for the game against Klagenfurt. The Carinthians started with two wins on the other hand and climbed to third place quickly. They also won three out of their last four away games. "After reaching our first goal we can play more relieved. We want to prolong our streak against Innsbruck, a team that is hard to play", so goalie David Madlener. Matthew Neal earned five points in this season's games against the sharks.
Linz meets leader Salzburg on the road
Lately the Red Bulls celebrated five wins in a row, returning to the top of the table with a 5:2 home win against Innsbruck on Tuesday. The home game against Linz, who lost three of four against the champions, is next ahead. "We have to show our bes thockey at this stage. It's another top match and we have to be ready", explains Michael Schiechl. Zdenek Kutlak, Manuel Latusa and Daniel Welser won't be available for the Red Bulls. The Black Wings started Pick Round with one win and defeat each. The fourth-placed Upper Austrians have a five-point deficit to Salzburg. They have bad memories to their last encounter when Linz suffered a tough 8:2 defeat. It's a battle of the best pk teams and both are strong on pp, too. Robert Lukas, Philipp Lukas, Stefan Gaffal and Rick Schofield are out of action.
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 3rd Pick Round:
Fr, 27.01.2017: UPC Vienna Capitals - HCB Südtirol Alperia (19:15)
Referees: KINCSES, LEMELIN, Soos, Verworner
Fr, 27.01.2017: EC Red Bull Salzburg - EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz (19:15)
Referees: BERNEKER, SMETANA, Nothegger, Schauer
Fr, 27.01.2017: HC TWK Innsbruck 'Die Haie' - EC-KAC (19:15)
Referees: KELLNER, PIRAGIC, Rakovic, Sparer
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 3rd Qualification Round:
Fr, 27.01.2017: Moser Medical Graz99ers - HC Orli Znojmo (19:15)
Referees: BABIC, K. NIKOLIC, Kontschieder, Nemeth
Fr, 27.01.2017: Fehervar AV 19 - HDD Olimpija Ljubljana (19:15)
Referees: M. NIKOLIC, ZRNIC, Seewald, Zgonc
Fr, 27.01.2017: EC VSV - Dornbirner Eishockey Club (19:30, Sky live)
Referees: SIEGEL, TRILAR, Gatol, Kaspar