Last round prior the Playoffs on Sunday

.Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, Pick Round 10:

Sun, 10.03.2019: Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia (17:30)
Referees: GARON, PIRAGIC, Nothegger, Zgonc.
• Moser Medical Graz99ers (2.) will welcome Champion HCB Südtirol Alperia (6.) on Sunday. The two teams have the weakest form: The Mur Citizens collected just four points (one win) out of the last five rounds and the Foxes got just three points (one victory) during that span. Besides, each club has been defeated lately: The Styrians lost in Szekesfehervar on Friday, while Bozen stayed without points in four straight games.
• Champion HCB Südtirol Alperia will try to end his bad road-run in Graz on Sunday: The Italians have been defeated in six consecutive road-games. But, watch out: The „Foxes“ will travel with good memories into the Mur City. The Italians have won three straight matches in Graz (2:1, 1:0/OT and 4:0) and they have earned their last road-win there on January 20th 2019 as well.
• While the 99ers will finish the Pick Round on place 2 for sure, HCB Südtirol Alperia has still a chance to move up in the ranking to place 5. Therefore, Bozen has to earn two points more than Fehervar AV19 does in Klagenfurt in the last round on Sunday.
• Moser Medical Graz99ers are hunting for their 200th goal of the season. The Styrians have netted 196 goals so far.
• Both teams will get to know their opponent for the Quarterfinals directly after the tenth Intermediate Round: While Moser Medical Graz99ers will pick their opponent out of the clubs ranked on the places 5 to 8 as the second team, Bozen (place 5 or 6) will be chosen. The Playoff pick is broadcasted live and for free on Sunday (19:30) at: www.skysportaustria.at and https://www.facebook.com/SkySportAustria/
Quotes:
Oliver Setzinger, Captain Moser Medical Graz99ers: „Bozen plays strong defense, has a good goalie and is convincing on the road. But, we are strong too and we will give 100% to get the win.“ 
Tim Campbell, player HCB Südtirol Alperia: „The Intermediate Round did not go our way so far. Therefore, the game in Graz is an important one for us. We want to make the things right there and get some confidence for the Playoffs with a win.“

 

Referees: BALUSKA, SIEGEL, Gatol, Kaspar.
• spusu Vienna Capitals (1.) vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg (4.) is the meeting of the two best offensive clubs: The Caps have potted most goals (203) so far, Salzburg second most goals (199). But, watch out: Things look different in the Pick Round: While Vienna potted most goals (41), Salzburg netted fewest goals (18). The Austrian clash will be broadcasted by SKY Sport 3 HD on Sunday 17:30 live. Afterwards, the Playoff Pick is done in Vienna too and will be broadcasted by SKY and from 19:30 on for free and live on www.skysportaustria.at and https://www.facebook.com/SkySportAustria/ as well.
• EC Red Bull Salzburg must get a win in Vienna to defend place 4 and home-advantage in the Quarterfinals for sure. Otherwise, the Mozart Citizens would need help from EC-KAC against Fehervar AV19 to stay in the Top 4.
• spusu Vienna Capitals have the chance to set a new milestone in the Intermediate Round on Sunday:  The Caps, who have already earned 30 points in the Pick Round 2018/19, have the chance to overcome the record of EC Panaceo VSV. The Drau Citizens have earned 32 points in the Intermediate Round (Qualification Round) 2015/16.
• The two teams have shown different faces lately: While spusu Vienna Capitals have won ten straight games, the Red Bulls stayed without points twice lately and have scored just one goal in the last 120 minutes too.
• The last four meetings went to Overtime or even to Shoot Out.
Quotes:
Andreas Nödl, Captain  spusu Vienna Capitals: „We will try everything to be successful in our tenth game in the Pick Round as well. Because, it’s important for everybody to start into the Playoffs after getting wins!“
Dominique Heinrich, defenseman EC Red Bull Salzburg: „We have to be more consequent in our zone. Our team has much quality, but we have to show it on the ice too!"

 

Referees: GRUBER, M. NIKOLIC, Rezek, Schauer.
• Fehervar AV19 will fight for place 4 and home-advantage in the Quarterfinals in Klagenfurt on Sunday. Therefore, the Hungarians must get a win and they need help from spusu Vienna Capitals against EC Red Bull Salzburg too. EC-KAC will finish the Pick Round on place 3 for sure.
• The game EC-KAC vs. Fehervar AV19 will be broadcasted live by www.servushockeynight.com on Sunday at 17:30.
• Fehervar AV19 will travel with good memories to Carinthia. Janos Hari and Co. have won both games in Klagenfurt this season so far and they have allowed just one goal per game too.
• Both clubs have been convincing lately: Fehervar AV19 has won their last two games against Moser Medical Graz99ers (4:1) and HCB Südtirol Alperia (4:2), while EC-KAC was successful 6:0 in Salzburg on Friday.
• Fehervar AV19 has the best scoring% (12.56%): Janos Hari and Company have already netted 189 goals out of 1505 shots on net 2018/19. 
• EC-KAC has played strong defense so far, the „Red Jackets“ have allowed fewest goals (115) this season.
Quotes:
Stefan Geier, forward EC-KAC:  „We are looking forward to a difficult game against Fehervar AV19. The Hungarians are still fighting for the fourth place and are a dangerous team, especially from counter attacks. But, we will give 100%, play a good game and get the points!“
Hannu Järvenpää, Headcoach Fehervar AV19: „We are looking forward to a difficult game in Klagenfurt. We have to be ready for a top-team.“

 

Sun, 10.03.2019: EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz vs. EC Panaceo VSV (17:30)
Referees: SMETANA, ZRNIC, Hribar, Kontschieder.
• EC Panaceo VSV will finish their season in Linz on Sunday. The Eagles are already out of the Playoff race. The Upper Austrians still have the chance to win the Qualification Round. Therefore, the Steel Citizens must earn three points and HC Orli Znojmo must stay without points against Innsbruck.
• Villach will try to end their bad road-run in Linz on Sunday. The Drau Citizens have been defeated in seven straight road-games, netting just eight goals. Besides, the Eagles have lost three straight matches in Linz (0:5, 0:1 and 0:2), netting no goal too.
• But, watch out: The two clubs have shown different faces lately: While the Upper Austrians have lost all three games in march so far, the Villacher have celebrated two (home-)wins lately.
• EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz are better ranked than Villach in all special statistics (Power Play, Penalty Killing, scoring%, Fair Play, number of viewers).
• EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz will get to know their opponent in the Quarterfinals right after the game. The Upper Austrians will be picked by a club ranked on place 1 to 4. The Playoff-Pick is broadcasted live and for free on www.skysportaustria.at and https://www.facebook.com/SkySportAustria/ on Sunday at 19:30.
Quotes:
Paul Koudelka, Youngster EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: „It's our last test prior the Playoffs. We have to play like in the Playoffs and play our best hockey from now on.“
Yann Sauve, defenseman EC Panaceo VSV: „We want to play a good game and finish the season with a win.“

Sun, 10.03.2019: HC Orli Znojmo vs. HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ (17:30)

Referees: OFNER, TRILAR, Nagy, Soos.
• HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ will finish their season in Znojmo on Sunday. The Tyroleans are already out of the Playoff race, but they need 1 point to finish the Qualification Round not on the last place. On the other side, Znojmo needs one point to win the Qualification Round for sure.
• HC Orli Znojmo vs. HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ is the meeting of the two best offensive-teams of the Qualification Round: The Czechs have already potted 34 goals in the Intermediate Round, the Sharks have netted 22 goals so far! Besides, the last nine contest brought at least seven goals.
• The Tyroleans will try to end their bad road-run in Znojmo on Sunday. The Sharks have lost three consecutive road-matches. 
• Innsbruck is better ranked than Znojmo in all special statistics (Power Play, Penalty Killing, scoring% and Fair Play). Besides, Innsbrucks Andre Clark has scored most Assists
• HC Orli Znojmo will get to know their opponent in the Quarterfinals right after the game. The „Red Eagles“ will be picked by a club ranked on place 1 to 4. The Playoff-Pick is broadcasted live and for free on www.skysportaustria.at and https://www.facebook.com/SkySportAustria/ on Sunday at 19:30.
Quotes:
Jiri Beroun, Assistant Coach HC Orli Znojmo: „Obviously it would be nice to win at home, but the main goal now is to get ready for the playoffs and stay healthy. There are some bruises and light injuries so we will rest some guys in order to have them ready for the quarterfinals. We hope there will be no injuries.“
Rene Swette, goalie HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“: „We want to play a solid game in Znojmo and finish the season with a win. We know, we can score many goals.“