Release from 09.03.2018
KHL Medvescak Zagreb started the Playoffs with a 4:3-Overtime-win in Linz, HCB Südtirol Alperia was successful in Klagenfurt 3:1. Besides Champion Vienna Capitals and EC Red Bull Salzburg won their first Quarterfinal game 2018 on Friday.
Bozen opened the Playoffs with a road-win in Klagenfurt
After some early chances, Domenic Monardo's attempt gave Bozen a 1:0-lead in Klagenfurt in minute 15. The Canadian forward finished an attack after a mistake from the Red Jackets on the blue line, with a shot under the crossbar. The Austrians started period 2 on a Power Play, but could not convert it. This was punished by the guests: Micelli won a battle behind the net. He passed the puck to Smith and the US-American made it a 2:0 Foxes advantage. Then, the Italians took some penalties. Kozek got Klagenfurt on the scoreboard seconds after a Power Play: The Forward potted the puck in after a big shot by St. Pierre – 1:2 (38.). Klagenfurt started period 3 on a Power Play, but goalie Pekka Tuokkola was not to beat. Bozen extended the lead in minute 47: Angelidis deflected the puck after a shot from Micelli for the final 3:1.
Caps had a perfect start into the Playoffs
Jerry Pollastrone’s Power Play goal gave the Vienna Capitals an early lead. Jamie Fraser extended the lead with a shot from the distance in another Power Play (13.). Andreas Nödl added the 3:0 with a covert shot in minute 17. Patrik Nechvatal filled in for Rene Swette. The Tyroleans did not show much offense, Lamoureux had to stop the first puck in minute 16. The guests adjusted better to the game in period 2. Nevertheless, Nödl netted the 4:0 from the slot (38.). The game was chippy in the last period and Sacha Guimond surprisingly scored the final 1:4 in minute 47.
Red Bulls celebrated Overtime-win
Rafael Herburger gave EC Red Bull Salzburg a 1:0-lead in minute 6. The Red Bulls were the chiefs on the ice in period 1, but Rasmus Rinne did not allow another goal by the Mozart Citizens. Gauthier had the best chance for the Bulldogs, his big shot was stopped by Starkbaum (5.). Period 2 started with early chances for each team: Raffl failed to score from a break-away (22.) and on the other side, Arniel hit the post. Salzburg extended their lead in a Power Play: Raffl deflected the puck after a shot from Mueller (31.). The Mozart Citizens had chances for a higher lead, but they could not beat Rinne for a third time. This was punished by the guests: Grabher-Meier potted the puck in from two meters in minute 41. Dornbirn played offensively and was rewarded with the 2:2 by Chris D’Alvise (59.). Salzburg won the game in Overtime: Herburger poked the puck in after just 23 seconds.
Zagreb started the Playoffs with Overtime-win in Linz
Linz had the better start in to the game. Joel Broda with a shot from a sharp angel (8.) and Brian Lebler (13.) gave the Black Wings an early 2:0-lead. Anton Ranov came close to score the first goal for KHL Medvescak Zagreb late in the first period. His rebound-chance was stopped by Mike Ouzas. Zagreb reponded in period 2: Lehtonen netted the 1:2 for the Bears with a placed shot after a counter. The Croatians threatened few times now, but then Joel Broda made it 3:1 for Linz. The Bears responded with a perfect wristshot from the slot by Garrett Noonan – 2:3. The Upper Austrians stayed unimpressed. Linz threatened with chances from Broda and Phil Lukas, but each only hit the post. Tomas Kudelka tied the game with a fast goal after just 40 seconds in period 3. Linz missed some luck in the game: Dorion was the next hitting the post from a sharp angel. Phil Lukas hit the crossbar as well in minute 58. The puck was free on the goal line, but Lehtonen chipped the puck away. In the Overtime Lehtonen potted the Game Winner for Zagreb in minute 65.
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, Quarterfinals 1 (best of seven):
Fri, 9.3.2018: EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz – KHL Medvescak Zagreb 3:4 (2:0, 1:2, 0:1, 0:1)
Referees: PIRAGIC, TRILAR; spectators: 4865
Goals Linz: Broda (8., 29.), Lebler (13.)
Goals Zagreb: Lehtonen (24., 65.), Noonan (35.), Kudelka (41.)
Fri, 09.03.2018: Vienna Capitals – HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ 4:1 (3:0,1:0,0:1)
Referees: BALUSKA, SMETANA, Nagy, Zgonc; spectators: 4.450
Goals VIC: Pollastrone (3./pp1), Fraser (13./pp1), Nödl (17., 39.)
Goal HCI: Guimond (45.)
Fri, 09.03.2018: EC Red Bull Salzburg – Dornbirn Bulldogs 3:2 n. V. (1:0, 1:0, 0:2, 1:0)
Referees: BERNEKER, M. NIKOLIC; spectators: 3100
Goals RBS: Herburger (6., 61.), Raffl (31. PP)
Goals DEC: Grabher-Meier (49.), D’Alvise (59.)
Fri, 09.03.2018: EC-KAC (4) vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia (8) 1:3 (0:1,1:1,0:1)
Referees: KINCSES, LEMELIN; spectators: 3.874
Goal KAC: Kozek (38.)
Goals HCB: Monardo (15.), Smith (27.), Angelidis (47.)
Picture: Hannes Draxler