Release from 18.03.2022

Klagenfurt and Ljubljana extend their quarterfinal series

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EC-KAC and HK SZ Olimpija remain in the race for a semifinal ticket in the win2day ICE Hockey League, with both teams celebrating away victories on Friday. While the reigning champions landed a comeback win, the Slovenians won the highest-scoring playoff game so far since the league was newly-founded. The two series continue on Sunday.

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Just like at the beginning of the quarterfinal series, the EC-KAC celebrated an overtime win in Vienna on Friday. However, the way there should hardly be surpassed in drama. The Viennese came out of the dressing room better and got many pucks goalwards. In the 19th minute, the hosts also took the lead through Nicolai Meyer on the power play. When James Sheppard (25th) deflected a Meyer shot, it was even 2:0. But the will of the Klagenfurters was unbroken and so the completely free-standing Martin Schumnig pulled one back in the 31st minute. In the third period, the KAC pressed for the next goal, but the Viennese defence held out for a long time. Then it was Schumnig again (55th) who equalised and forced an overtime. The Viennese were then unable to capitalise on a power play. And shortly after Fabio Artner failed alone in front of KAC goalie Sebastian Dahm, Niki Kraus scored on the opposite side for the away win.



Ljubljana wins goal spectacle

EC GRAND Immo VSV and HK SZ Olimpija delivered an open exchange of blows in the fifth quarterfinal duel again. Already in the first period there were several lead changes and seven goals. The Slovenians were 2:0 up after eight minutes, then the hosts scored three times within four minutes. But Guillaume Leclerc (18th) and Miha Zajc (20th) brought the momentum back on the side of the guests. VSV made a goalie change, Tomi Karhunen replaced Alexander Schmidt after the first. In the middle period Olimpija nevertheless took a two-goal lead, after the second Zajc goal the Slovenians were 4:6 ahead. In the 43rd minute, Gregor Koblar also added his name to the list of scorers, and it was to be the eventual game winner. VSV came back to 6:7 and in the last second Ziga Pance scored an empty netter. With 14 goals, the game also set a new record, making it the highest-scoring playoff game since the league was newly-founded.



win2day ICE Hockey League | 18.03.2022 | Quarterfinals 5:
EC GRAND Immo VSV - HK SZ Olimpija 6:8 (3:4, 1:2, 2:2)
Referees: GROZNIK, TRILAR, Bärnthaler, Hribar.
Goals Villach: Kosmachuk (13., 52./PP), Karlsson (15./PP, 29.), Oleksuk (17.), Lindner (47.)
Goals Ljubljana: Cepon (4th), Piche (8th), Leclerc (18th), Zajc (20th, 33rd), Simsic (28th), Koblar (43rd), Pance (60th /EN)
Standings in the "best-of-seven" series: 3:2

spusu Vienna Capitals - EC-KAC 2:3 OT (1:0, 1:1, 0:1, 0:1)
Referees: BERNEKER, PIRAGIC, Durmis, Konc.
Goals Vienna: Meyer (19./PP), Sheppard (25.)
Goals Klagenfurt: Schumnig (31., 55.), Kraus (66.)
Standings in the "best-of-seven" series 3:2