Release from 02.02.2019
Sun, 03.02.2019: Fehervar AV19 vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg (17:30, DIGI TV live)
Referees: BALUSKA, TRILAR, Kaspar, Zgonc.
- Thanks to Friday's 5:1 home win against Bolzano, the Hungarians defended 6th place
- Fehervar needs a home win (can also be after OT or SO) to make Pick Round by their own efforts
- In 2014/15 the Hungarians made the top 6 for the last time
- Salzburg is still in the race for 4th place, being level on points with Bolzano but having the better direct duels
- The Red Bulls got three clear-cut wins against Fehervar this season (24:7 goal difference!)
Hannu Järvenpää (Head coach Fehervar AV19): „When I think about the three games their power play was decisive. On Sunday we have to play our game and stay out of the penalty box.“
Peter Hochkofler (EC Red Bull Salzburg): „It's always tough there. Both teams ar efighting for important points. We have to be ready.“
Sun, 03.02.2019: Dornbirn Bulldogs vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers (17:30)
Referees: SMETANA, STERNAT, Kontschieder, Nothegger.
- Graz took over at the top and hit the road again for Dornbirn right after Friday's game
- The Styrians need a win (can also be after OT or SO) to get first place by their own efforts and take the first CHL ticket
- Graz is the league's best road team (37 points out of 21 games)
- Dornbirn tries to defend 8th place (four bonus points) with Znojmo and Innsbruck being just two points behind
- The Vorarlberg side won two out of three season meetings, DEC forward scored in the last two
Dave MacQueen (Headcoach Dornbirn Bulldogs): „I said at the start of the season that they are a real deal. They got quality players, their goalie gives them the chance to wi nevery game. It's a test for our club, we try our best to come away with some points."
Oliver Setzinger (Moser Medical Graz99ers): „They will come out hard as it's a home game for them. We have to focus on us, our goal is to get three points for the first place.“
Referees: M. NIKOLIC, STOLC, Bärnthaler, Tschrepitsch.
- Linz has won four of five games with new coach Tom Rowe
- The Upper Austrians have to gain on two points more than Fehervar to overtake the Hungarians
- Klagenfurt will finish the first phase of regluar season third
- The Carinthians won all three season meetings with Linz (9:0 points, 10:5 goals)
- In 8 of their last 11 games in Upper Austria, EC-KAC earned at least one point
Kevin Kapstad (Liwest Black Wings Linz): „It's a huge game, obviously we need some help. Now it's about getting mentally ready and prepare to work.“
David Madlener (EC-KAC): „It's about eversthing for them, they will come out hard. We have to improve on our fore check and in the neutral zone to get points.“
Sun, 03.02.2019: HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ vs. spusu Vienna Capitals (17:30)
Referees: BERNEKER, GRUBER, Basso, Pardatscher.
- The Caps dropped to second place with a 3:5 home defeat against Graz
- Now the Viennese need two points more than the 99ers to return to the top
- 10th-placed Innsbruck also needs points as they still have a chance to move up in the standings
- In the previous three season meetings the home team has always held the upper hand
- Caps forwards Chris DeSousa and peter Schneider scored in all games against Innsbruck this season
Andrew Yogan (HC TWK Innsbruck): „We are playing against the league's best team but the game starts at zero. We have to use our chances better to win it.“
Dave Cameron (Headcoach spusu Vienna Capitals): „We have to rely on some help for the first time. We have to make sure, if we do get the help, that we put ourselves in the position to take advantage of it.“
Sun, 03.02.2019: EC Panaceo VSV vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia (17:30, video33.it live)
Referees: PIRAGIC, SIEGEL, Gatol, Hribar.
- Villach ended their six-game losing streak on Friday
- After five successive wins, Bolzano was once again without points on Friday
- The 5th-placed foxes still have the chance to move one up but need one point more than Salzburg
- In the previous three season meetings the home team has always held the upper hand
- The cahmpions have won 8 of 15 league games in Villach so far
Gerhard Unterluggauer (EC Panaceo VSV): „Bolzano is a good team with great talent. We have to play solid and play careful defensively.“
Daniel Frank (HCB Südtirol Alperia): „It will be a hard game as Villach has nothing to lose. We need these points to go up again.“
Sun, 03.02.2019: KHL Medvescak Zagreb vs. HC Orli Znojmo (17:30)
Referees: BABIC, KINCSES, Nedeljkovic, Rezek.
- Medvescak says goodbye to their fans for the 2018-19 season as the Croats won't participate in the Qualification Round
- Stakes are high for 9th-placed Znojmo as the Czechs still can climbed one up
- The league's worst PK teams face each other (MZA 11., ZNO 12.)
- The Czechs ar ea top 6 road team (33 points out of 21 games)
- In their last home game Medvescak had a great fight against Innsbruck, losing 3:5 in the end
Miroslav Frycer (Headcoach HC Orli Znojmo): „Our game performance on Friday was very good and we want to make sure we continue in the same fashion also on Sunday. For us, the most important part of the season is starting now, we want to be in the best possible shape and a win on Sunday can move us closer to a better starting position for the Qualification round.”