KAC and Salzburg secure playoff spots

The Bears opened the scoring against Innsbruck in the 7th minute a fine counter by Medvescak with Tyler Morley on the left wing and Michael Boivin finished off on a one-timer. Five minutes later, after strong pressure continued by the home team Garrett Noonan dekes out a couple of defensemen on the left board and strikes one behind Nechvatal - 2:0. It was 3:0 already after two more minutes on a 2+2 penalty for checking to the head assessed to Philipp Lindner from Innsbruck, Tero Koskiranta was the first on the rebound in the slot. The second period statred with a 2+2 penalty for check to the head for Adam Deutsch, but Medvescak were able to score again: a penalty by Innsbruck evened the strength and Marko Poyhonen took advantage right off the faceoff in the 27th minute. A shorthanded effort cuts the lead to three merely a minute after as Hunter Bishop picks up Kevin Wehrs' pass in the slot and finds the five-hole. In the 34th minute Sondre Olden breaks out all alone but is fouled - converting a penalty shot into a big 5:1 lead right after. Innsbruck score their second on a powerplay that ensued, a nifty tic-tac-toe before the goal sees Jeremie Ouellet-Blain put it in the empty net as Poulin was beat. The third period started and quickly Innsbruck cut the lead to only two goals, Hunter Bishop receives a pass on the right post and easily tips it in on already beat Poulin. Soon after Marko Poyhonen restores the lead with a cannon from the left circle. Midway through the period the tenth goal was scored, David Brine makes it 7:3 for the home team as he deflects a shot in. Sondre Olden dashes towards the goal, shoots and Samson Mahbod is in the slot to pick up the rebound in the 57th minute, 8:3. As if eight were not enough, Ivan Jankovic smashes another one with less than a minute to go for the final score od 9:3.

 

The first minutes of the game went on balanced, Klagenfurt had the puck more but there were no big chances on either side. In the 8th minute LoVecchio tried to score but Madlener saved, ont he other end, Brucker threatened twice. In the middle of the period, the Koger-Erdély-Hari line had chances, then Klagrnfurt pushed harder again. Before the end of the first 20 minutes, Latendresse fouled but KAC did not score on the powerplay. The second period started with chances from Klagenfurt and Manavian’s penalty. Klagenfurt played well five on four, Talbot screened before Carruth and Espeland shot in the net. The guests had the momentum and Fehervar had few chances. Richter’s penalty gave some opportunities for the home team, Luttinen missed then LoVecchio’s shot went next to the net five on five. There were too many men on ice from Klagenfurt, that is why Fehervar had another powerplay chance, without success. Manavian had to sit in the penalty box again in the 30th minute, the Austrians threatened from the blue line but Carruth saved. After that, Kapstad got a penalty, but the Fehervar powerplay did not last long as Luttinen also fouled. Fehervar was the better team on ice at the end of the period, Madlener had to save the breakaway from Music. Kapstad, then Talbot fouled, Fehervar attacked five on three but it was Geier who had the biggest chance, Carruth had to save again. Ganahl’s breakaway chance started the last period, then Uotila got a penalty and the Rekordmeister used their chance well, Lundmark scored from close after Bischofberger’s pass. Sarpatki was the next in the penalty box but this timet he powerplay went on without big chances. Carruth had more to do five on five, but after Kozek’s opportunity, Fehervar started to play better and better, Manavian’s shot was blocked and neither of Reisz’s chances went into the net. 2 minutes before the buzzer, Klagenfurt scored their third goal, Koch passed to Lundmark and he did not miss.

 

After a goalless opening period, Villach scored the night's first but it was a "no goal" call after video review because of high sticking. Before the halfway point of the game Herburger missed a great chance on a breakaway but only soon later Mario Huber made the breakthrough. Early in the third Peter Mueller doubled the lead when the fired home his own rebound. IStvan Sofron pulled one back for the hosts and just a few moments later the Hungarian failed to score the equalizer. With five minutes to go Alexander Rauchenwald restored the two-goal lead and the former Villach player also added a second for a 4:1 road win.

 

After some chances on both sides it was Ken Ograjensek who opened the scoring for the hosts. Znojmo had some shots goalwards but Thomas Höneckl made good stops. In the middle frame both made defensive mistakes with Oliver Setzinger taking advantage of one for a 2:0 lead. While the Czechs tried to hit their opponents on the break, the 99ers still played offensively-minded and Daniel Woger added a third. Soon later Robin Weihager only hit the post with a two man advantage. In the third Erik Nemec scored Znojmo's consolation goal but Graz got a 3:1 win.

 

Bolzano had the better of the play in a goalless first and also after the restart the foxes came close to open the scoring. Most of the time it was Vienna's goalie JP Lamoureux who stopped them. After 23 minutes Angelidis broke the spell on power play off a Sointu pass. The Caps tried to hit back, though, and Holzapfel only struck the post while Lamoureux made another big save on Miceli on the other end. It looked like Vienna is having the momentum early in the third and with ten minutes to go Ali Wukovits tied it on a solo attempt. Now HCB goalie Tuokkola had some good saves. In the 55th minute Daniel Frank restored Bolzano's lead but joy was short-lived when Rafael Rotter scored another equalizer just two minutes later. The game went into overtime where Lamoureux did great again. Former HCB player MacGregor Sharp became the hero in the shootout for a 3:2 Vienna win, their 11th in a row against the foxes.

Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, Round 40: