Release from 05.04.2019
With Friday's 4:2 home victory, EC-KAC got a sweep against Moser Medical Graz99ers and went through to Erste Bank Eishockey Liga finals. EC Red Bull Salzburg tied the second series against spusu Vienna Capitals at two. After trailing three times the Red Bulls celebrated a 5:3 home win. In addition, there was a contract extension in Bolzano and a new arrival in Innsbruck.
EC-KAC vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers 4:2 (1:2, 2:0, 1:0)
Referees: K. NIKOLIC, M. NIKOLIC, Nothegger, Seewald; 3.400 spectators
Both teams started aggressive in game four. The first big chance had the EC KAC but Graz goalkeeper Robin Rahm saved. Then both teams neutralized before the 99ers got the lead for the first time in the series. KAC defender Adam Comrie lost the puck behind the goal, Colton Yellow Horn grabbed it and passed to Matt Garbowsky, who put it perfectly into the upper right corner. Only three and a half minutes later, the Styrians were on the scoreboard again. In the first powerplay of the match Daniel Oberkofler doubled the lead for the 99ers. Shortly thereafter, the home side had their first Powerplay and the puck also found ist way in the net. Thomas Koch shortened with a well-placed shot to 1:2. In the remaining minutes of period one there were still plenty of chances on both sides but no more goals were scored. Period two started with a powerplay for the KAC in which the Carinthians didn´t score. Graz struggled to find in the period. As a consequence the KAC scored again. In another powerplay Nick Petersen equalized the game. His long-range shot was deflected from a Graz defender. The hosts turned the game on their next powerplay with Matthew Neil scoring the 3:2. It was the first lead of the KAC in the game. In the final period Graz tried everything to find back into the game. The first big chance to equalize the 99ers had in a five versus three powerplay. However, the KAC defense did well. Only a short time later, Andrew Kozek increased to 4:2 for a two-goal lead. Two and a half minutes before the guests pulled Robin Rahm but they could not come back. The EC KAC won 4:2 and is thus the first finalist of this Erste Bank Eishockey Liga season.
Goals KAC: Koch (15./pp), Petersen (37./pp), Neal (40./pp), Kozek (49.)
Goals Graz: Garbowsky (10.), Oberkofler (14./pp)
Final score in the best-of-seven series: 4:0
EC Red Bull Salzburg – spusu Vienna Capitals 5:3 (0:1,2:1,3:1)
Referees: STOLC/ZRNIC, 3.400 spectators
The hosts came out hard and had some good chances early in the game. However, halfway through the first Taylor Vause opened the scoring for Vienna's 1:0 lead after the first. The second period was a mere 74 seconds old when Dominique Heinrich scored the equalizer. Late in the period Julian Großlercher restored Vienna's lead with a deflection but Brant Harris equalized it even before the second intermission. Großlercher second of the night put the Caps ahead after 47 minutes but Alexander Rauchenwald found the back of the net from the blue line - 3:3. With two and a half minutes to go Raphael Herburger scored from close range to get the Bulls' first lead of the game. Finally John Hughes made it safe with an empty netter and tied the series at two.
Goals RBS: Heinrich (22.), Harris (39.), Rauchenwald (51.), Herburger (58.), Hughes (60./en)
Goals VIC: Vause (9.), Großlercher (36., 47.)
Score in the best-of-seven series: 2:2
Contract extension in Bolzano, new arrival in Innsbruck
Today the HCB Südtirol Alperia resigned Angelo Miceli. The 25-year old forward heads into his third straight season with the dethroned Erste Bank Eishockey Liga champion. With 37 points the Canadian born was Bolzano’s third best scorer in the regular season. During this year’s playoff campaign, he scored seven points. Further, the HC TWK Innsbruck “Die Haie” hired Swedish player Jesper Thörnberg. With scoring 58 points for Herlev Eagles in Denmark’s first division past season, the 28-year old forward was promoted to league’s top-scorer.