Last games before Christmas

Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, Round 30:
Sun, 23.12.2018: EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. HC Orli Znojmo (16:00)
Referees: BERNEKER, K. NIKOLIC, Kontschieder, Tschrepitsch.

• In fact, third placed Salzburg did not lose the past twelve consecutive games (including Champions Hockey League) in normal time, they recently suffered two defeats after shootout in the past two games. 
• The eight ranked Czech side lost the past two games and is six points behind a pick-round-place.
• The Red Bulls won the past five duels. The “eagles” suffered six consecutive defeats at Salzburg. 
• Znojmo’s Marek Kalus is on fire: The 25-year old forward played twelve games since the beginning of November and scored 14 times and had seven assists too. 
• After the hosts each opened the scoring in the past nine home games, they got seven wins. 
• While Znojmo headcoach Miroslav Frycer is still suspended, Assistant-Coach Tomas Jakes will coach the Czech “eagles” on Sunday. 

Greg Poss (Headcoach EC Red Bull Salzburg): „Winning a single game in this well-balanced league is only possible, if every player shows his best performance. We need to be more dangerous in front of opponent’s net. We are looking for solutions getting three points against Znojmo.”

Patrik Novak (HC Orli Znojmo): „It won´t be an easy game on Sunday, but we have shown we can match any team in our league. We need to have better movement and be more physical in front of the net.“

Sun, 23.12.2018: Dornbirn Bulldogs vs. EC Panaceo VSV (17:30)
Referees: KELLNER, STERNAT, Bärnthaler, Schauer.

• After the IIHF-break Dornbirn celebrated two wins in a row and climed to ninth place in standings.
• After two consecutive wins Villach has an upward-trend too. The Carinthians left the bottom of the table after grinding out a 3:2 shootout in victory in Salzburg. 
• The bulldogs won the past three games against Villach. 
• Blaine Down had one goal and one assist in the last meeting. The Canadian is Villach’s only player with a positive +/- statistic.
• Dornbirn is still unbeaten since they wear its Christmas jersey at home, after beating Zagreb (6:4) and Linz (4:2).  

Dave MacQueen (Headcoach Dornbirn Bulldogs): „That’s gonna be a different game after the travel. It’s all about recovery and regeneration now. Villach is a strong physical team, we have to be prepared for that.“

Sun, 23.12.2018: EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers (17:30, www.servushockeynight.com live)
Referees: SIEGEL, STOLC, Kaspar, Sparer.

• After the IIHF-break both Linz and Graz lost their past two games and dropped to sixth respectively fifth place in standings.
• Graz has the best PP available, although missing five in Fridays game against Dornbirn. 
• The black wings won seven out of their past eight home games including a 5:2 against Graz. 
• The Styrian suffered four consecutive losses on the road. The 99ers last win in Linz was on December 18th 2016 (5:4). 
• Back then Robin Weihager made the game-winning-goal. After a one game suspension the Swedish player returns for the guests on Sunday. 
• But the 99ers will miss Travis Oleksuk and maybe Erik Kirchschläger. 

Andreas Kristler (Liwest Black Wings Linz): „We had another tight game in Klagenfurt on Friday. Too bad, that we missed our big chance in the end of the game. We need to find a way to win such poky games.”

Daniel Oberkofler (Moser Medical Graz99ers): „We need to get back to the basics like being more effective in front of opponent’s net. I am positive that we will have a good game against Linz.”

Sun, 23.12.2018: EC-KAC vs. spusu Vienna Capitals (17:30)
Referees: M. NIKOLIC, PIRAGIC, Rezek, Seewald.

• Second place EC-KAC hosts leader spusu Vienna Capitals in thier last game before Christmas. 
• The Caps showed the best performance of all teams in the past five games with getting 14 points. The Carinthians are Caps first chaser. They are four points behind with one game less played. 
• The yearly Teddy Bear Toss will take place in this game. The fans are encouraged to bring teddy bears or other stuffed toys to the game. The toys are gathered up to be donated as presents for the Round Table Klagenfurt. 
• The EC-KAC won the past three consecutive home games against the Capitals. Back in Oktober the 7:2 home win broke through the Viennese winning streak (12). 
• The teams meet for their 118th EBEL game with Klagenfurt having 61 wins in the books. Each of the last six meetings was won by the home team. 

Marco Richter (EC-KAC): „We expect a well-prepared team with good quality in every lineup. We will continue our strong home performance to get a win against the leader.”

Peter Schneider (spusu Vienna Capitals): „It will be a tough game for us, because the EC-KAC is doing great in front of their home crowed. We will win, like always, and I am very positive to get a road victory on Sunday.”

Sun, 23.12.2018: KHL Medvescak Zagreb vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia (17:30, video 33.it live)
Referees: OFNER, ZRNIC, Hribar, Zgonc.

• While the bottom placed team of Zagreb suffered a tight road defeat in Innsbruck, they lost their two home games too after the personal changes. 
• After the IIHF-break Bolzano won the past two games and climed to fourth place in standings.
• Bolzano’s Brett Findlay remains teams top-scorer with five points in the past two games (2 goals and 3 assists)
• In games involving the reigning champion, only 5,1 goals on average were scored. This is the lowest amount of all teams. 
• The home team won the first two season meetings. 

Björn Svensson (Medvescak Zagreb): „Our last games were okay. Yesterday we also had some chances against Fehervar but could not use it. We have to take advantage of these chances to get some points.“

Marco Insam (HCB Südtirol Alperia): „We can't underestimate anyone in this league.  They've had some difficulties, but they'll play in front of their fans to win. Anyway, we are focused and ready and we want to get three more points.“