KAC AND SHARKS CLINCH PLAYOFFS DESPITE LOSING

The EC-KAC started strong into the game. During the first seconds Thomas Koch only missed by centimeters. Some more chances followed. The biggest opportunity had Stefan Geier, who lost the duel against Kickert in a break-through. In the following minutes the KAC even increased the pressure during power-play but didn’t succeed in scoring. At the end of the period the Capitals had their first chances during a power-play, but also the leader of the league didn’t score. After a bit more than a minute Ganahl scored the well deserved first goal of the night for the KAC. Aaron Brocklehurst had the right answer in their powerplay and tied the game, after an KAC player deflected the puck. This ended the phase of pressure for the home team. In the last period the capitals succeeded with the turnaround. Kelsey Tessier won the the duel against Tomas Duba. In the following minutes the Capitals did a good blocking job infornt of their net. A break-through of Vienna brought the decision. Jerry Pollastrone increased for the 3:1. It seemed to be the decision but in the 59th minute David Fischer scored one more goal for the KAC for the 2:3. The KAC tried to tie the game with 6 skaters but didn’t succeed.

 

It was a game at eye level right from the beginning with a slight advantage for the sharks. After 14 minutes the 2.800 fans could celebrate for the first time when Austin Smith scored on power play. But just a few minutes later Olimpija answered with a Guimond goal for a 1:1 score after 20 minutes. The hosts shifted up a gear in the middle frame and Nick Ross restoed their lead. The Slovenes gave everything and bounced back again when Ales Music litt he lamp. Another goal by Smith shortly before the second intermission gave the home side a 3:2 lead, though. Olimpija tied it for the third time as Gabor netted on a break and the game went into overtime. With no goals in the extra session, it was Music, who decided the shootout fort he dragons. Despite losing the game, Innsbruck has qualified for playoffs after a long wait of eight years.

 

Salzburg took over command early in the game but both sides did not create anything dangerous. Duncan’s shot went wide while Graz harmless in their first power play. Things changed quickly after the restart when Thomas Raffl opened the scoring off a Hughes pass. Now the visitors were on top of things but missed their coolness in front of the net. Oliver Setzinger failed to score on the home team’s best chance while 99ers netminder made some big saves, stopping John Hughes twice. Daniel Welser extended Salzburg’s lead early in the third, his shot was deflected by a Graz defender. With three minutes to go Peter Hochkofler scored for the preliminary decision and then Bill Thomas rounded off the scoring. With Luka Gracnar’s fourth season shutout, the Red Bulls defended their second place.

 

Znojmo entered the game with high pressure but Bolzano goalie Marcel Melichercik made some great stops. The visitors were out of luck when Jakob Stehlik only hit the post and just a few minutes later the goal was scored at the other end of the rink: Ryan Glenn finished a solo attempt in style. Both teams had some good opportunities until the first intermission but the score remained 1:0 for the foxes. The Czechs failed to score early in the middle frame and then Bolzano took over command. Anton Bernard doubled the lead and then Marc-Oliver Vallerand put the Italians 3:0 up. Melichercik still kept a clean sheet thanks to some big saves against Marek Spacek and Marek Biro. The hosts had everything under control in the third but it looked like they shifted down a gear in the course oft he period. Znojmo took advantage when Adam Hughesman deflected a shot by Andre Lakos but it was not enough to hit back this evening as Bolzano celebrated a 3:0 win.

 

Exactly two month after the last duel of Dornbirner Eishockey Cub against Fehervar AV19 the two teams met again at the battle for some bonus points in the qualification round. The Bulldogs confirmed their good shape right from the beginning. The pass of Jamie Arniel was deflected into the goal for the 1:0 lead of Dornbirn. But the red devils kept on fighting. Anyways the second goal of the night was shot by the Bulldogs. Cody Silvester scored in the 26th minute after an perfect serve of Kevin Macierzynski for the 2:0. Even if the game seemed to be on an even level, the hosts were a bit more effective in their 5 vs. 5 game. In the 38th minute increased Niki Petrik the lead. A putative goal of Jamie Arniel wasn’t given after video-review. Fehervar still kept on fighting, but the DEC-Cracks didn’t give the game away. Brock McBride scored two minutes before the end for the result of 4:0.

 

The EC LIWEST Black Wings Linz started right from the beginning with high pressure. After only 43 seconds Sebastian Piche captured the lead for Linz. Only five minutes later the former eagle Rick Schofiel doubled the lead for the Black Wings. After that also Villach found rhythm of the game. Oliver Latendresse shot the put on the back of Florian Janny and the puck found the was behind the goal line for the 1:2. In the second period the hosts found their self-confidence again. Jan Urbas tied the game after an unclear situation. It seemed that the VSV is able to take control, but just then Dan DaSilva recaptured the lead for Linz. In the final period the VSV did everything to come back. But the Black Wings didn’t react impressed and played the game home. In the 50th minute it was Rob Hisey who scored for Linz. With the last second Schofield brought the result of 5:2.

 

Referees: PIRAGIC,ZRNIC, Nothegger, Verworner, Zuschauer: 3.162

Goals KAC: Ganahl (22.), Fischer (59.)

Goals VIC: Brocklehurst (28./pp), Tessier (48.), Pollastrone (56.)

 

Referees: K. NIKOLIC/SMETANA, spectators: 2.800

Goals Innsbruck: Smith (14./pp, 40.), Ross (25.)

Goals Ljubljana: Guimond (18./pp), Music (36., 67./entsch. Penalty), Gabor (46.) 

 

Referees: BABIC/KINCSES, spectators: 1.832

Goals Salzburg: Raffl (24./pp), Welser (43.), Hochkofler (57.), Thomas (60.)

 

Referees: M: NIKOLIC / STOLC; spectators: 2343

Goals HCB: Glenn (7.), Bernard (25.), Vallerand (52./pp.), 

Goal ZNO: Hughesman (52.)

 

Referees: BERNEKER/Kellner, 1.930 Spectators;

Goals DEC: Arniel (8.), Sylvester (26.), Petrik (38.), McBride (58./pp)

 

Referees: BULOVEC/TRILAR, 2756 Spectators;

Goals VSV: Latendresse (10.), Urbas (25.),

Goals BWL: Piche (1.), Schofield (6.,60.), DaSilva (30.), Hisey (50.);