KAC gets only away win in Intermediate Round opener

Linz came out hard in their home game against Bolzano and caused some trouble from distance. The guests were focused on their defense and tried to hit the Upper Austrians on the break. With their first power play the foxes became stronger but were not able to score. Both teams created good chances in the last five minutes of the first but only the hosts scored. Sebastian Piche went top shelf on power play off a pass by Bret McLean who returned to the lineup this night. The fast-paced game without many interruptions continued in the middle frame and both sides controlled their defensive end. With two minutes to go the visitors took advantage of a bad pass when Jesse Root got his colours on the scoreboard. Just a few moments later Luca Frigo had the chance to turn the game around but Mike Ouzas made a big save. Linz pressed hard early in the third but missed several chances. It needed another one man advantage when Ryan Potulny (50‘) restored their lead with a hard slap shot. Just four minutes later Brodie Reid tied it again when Ouzas could not see his shot. However, this time the hosts had a prompt answer with Broda finding the back of the net – 3:2. Bolzano coach Tom Pokel pulled goalie Melichercik for another skater but Potulny made the game safe with an empty netter.

 

Znojmo started with pressure and was almost rewarded with a goal, but Vodny did not aim to the net. Then Dornbirn took over, they were more effective in their attacking. The Bulldogs produced several scoring-chances, but only one in the first period was successful: Cody Sylvester scored from a rebound after a perfect breakaway. The game calmed down after the first goal. Early in period 2 Stehlik hit the post with a blueliner. Znojmo continued to attack. The home team played a bit better from that moment and their pressure ended with a goal: Youngstar Libor Sulak sent a hard shot from a long distance and gave Hardy no chance. Equaled score didn’t last long, Kevin Macierzynski appeared alone in front of the empty net and he did not hesitate. Znojmo then tried to equal till the end of the period but their tries ended on well catching Hardy. The third period was a dream for the home team. Colton Yellow Horn equaling goal from a short distance, and that was only the beginning. Five minutes later Orli scored two goals in a minute. At first Bartos used a 2 on 1 breakaway and then Colton Yellow Horn added his second goal of the night. Dornbirn started to play aggressive to do something with a score, but their play only led to a Power Play for Znojmo, which ended with a goal of Orli by Sean McMonagle. The destruction of Dornbirn was finished with the fifth goal of the third period, when Libor Sulak made his second goal of the match.

 

EC VSV was on Fire from the beginning: Already in minute 3 Jan Urbas scored the lead for the Eagles in a Power Play. The Carinthians continued to dominate the game, extended their lead until minute 37. to 8:0. Man of the match was Jan Urbas with four goals! The guests from Ljubljana did not become dangerous in the first 40 minutes. In the last period Villach draw down their tempo and offense and this allowed the guests two goals from Sacha Guimond and Aljaz Chvatal.

 

The first period was intense and both teams had their chances: Fehervar AV19 started the game in Power Play, but the best chance had Oliver Setzinger, who could not take advantage from a solo. The first goal was always in the air and finally scored by the Hungarians in minute 9:9: Andrew Sarauer surprised goalie Sebastian Dahm with a shot from the left circle – 1:0. The Styrians stayed unimpressed and quickly equalized: Mike Boivin surprised goalie Miklos Rajna with a shot from the blue line and scored the 1:1 in his first game for Graz. After the re-start the 99ers had more offensive-power. After a shot from Boivin from the blue line Daniel Woger deflected the puck for the 2:1. Then Oliver Setzinger took the puck his opponent away and scored the 3:1. The guests then were more active again and also came back thanks a goal from Attila Orban. But Graz had a quick answer: Zintis Nauris Zusevics finished a perfect combination for the 4:2. In period 3 the 99ers pressure for the decision. Finally Kurtis McLean scored the 5:2 in a Power Play from a rebound. The Hungarians could not come back anymore in period 3.

Referees: PIRAGIC/ZRNIC, spectators: 4.180

Goals Linz: Piche (19./pp), Potulny (50./pp, 59.), Broda (56.)

Goals Bozen: Root (39./pp), Reid (54.)