Release from 11.03.2025

Linz and Pustertal force game six | Bolzano takes the lead again

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The quarter-final series of the win2day ICE Hockey League are nothing for the faint-hearted – three matchups are heading to a sixth game. The duel between the Steinbach Black Wings Linz and the Moser Medical Graz99ers went to overtime for the fourth time in a row – a record in the league’s 25-year history. This time, the Upper Austrians had the better end, narrowing the series to 2-3. Meanwhile, EC-KAC lost at home to HC Pustertal, meaning this series will also see a game six. Additionally, HCB Südtirol Alperia secured a dominant 6-1 victory over EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV and now leads the series 3-2. It was the fifth home win in five games.

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The series between the Steinbach Black Wings Linz and the Moser Medical Graz99ers has set a unique record in the league’s 25-year history: for the fourth consecutive game, the winner was decided in overtime. For the second time, the Upper Austrians came out on top, cutting the deficit to 2-3 in the best-of-seven quarterfinal series.

Linz came out strong, putting heavy pressure on the Graz99ers in the first period. The hosts clearly dominated the opening 20 minutes and rewarded themselves with the lead in the 7th minute. A shot from Logan Roe at the blue line was deflected by a Graz player, making it impossible for Jonas Gunnarsson to save.

In the second period, the Styrians found their rhythm. At first, Rasmus Tirronen kept Linz in the lead with key saves, but in the 37th minute, a turnover at the offensive blue line proved costly. Stephen Harper initiated a breakaway, which Kevin Roy finished to tie the game at 1-1.

The intense third period saw both teams creating chances, but Linz came closest to scoring, failing to capitalize on an extended 5-on-3 power play. With both goalies shutting down any further goals in regulation, the game once again went to overtime – marking the fourth consecutive OT battle, an unprecedented feat in league history. The hero of the night was Linz’s captain, Brian Lebler, who deflected a shot from Patrick Söllinger past Gunnarsson in the 70th minute, sending the full Linz AG Eisarena into celebration.

Pustertal forces game six
Regular season champions EC-KAC will have to play a sixth game against HC Pustertal. The South Tyroleans secured a 4-2 win in Klagenfurt. It took only 79 seconds for Austin Osmanski to put the visitors ahead with his second goal of the season. However, the home team responded quickly: an impressive play from Steven Strong to Raphael Herburger led to the 1-1 equalizer in the 11th minute. Pustertal started strong again in the second period, as Tyler Coulter deflected a shot from Svedberg into the net in the 23rd minute to regain the lead. The score remained 2-1 for the visitors until the 46th minute when Brett Findlay extended the lead to 3-1 for Bruneck. KAC fought back, with Kevin Clark cutting the deficit to 3-2 in the 51st minute. The home team pushed for the equalizer, creating several top-quality chances, but HCP goalie Eddie Pasquale shut the door. Tyler Coulter sealed the win with an empty-net goal just 19 seconds before the final buzzer. Game six will take place on Friday in Bruneck.

Dominant home win for Bolzano
HCB Südtirol Alperia took a 3-2 lead in their best-of-seven series against EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV with a commanding 6-1 home victory on Tuesday. The “Foxes” took control early, with Dustin Gazley scoring in the 5th minute to open the lead. Adam Helewka doubled the advantage in the 18th minute after a brilliant assist from Gazley. However, the visitors managed to get on the scoreboard before the first intermission, as Thomas Vallant scored with just 57 seconds left in the period, making it 2-1. The middle period belonged entirely to Bolzano, as they quickly put the game out of reach. At 25:58, Anthony Salinitri extended the lead to 3-1. Just 25 seconds later, Brad McClure made it 4-1, and another 58 seconds later, Adam Helewka netted his second goal of the night. The Canadian now has three goals in the series. The final goal of the game was scored already in the 32nd minute, as Brad McClure also secured a brace. The third period saw no additional goals.

win2day ICE Hockey League, 11.03.2025, Quarter-final 5:
EC-KAC – HC Pustertal 2:4 (1:1, 0:1 1:2)
Referees: Fichtner, Smetana, Bärnthaler, Riecken | Spectators: 4.385
Standings in the „Best-of-7“ series: 3:2
Goals KAC: 1:1 Herburger R. (11.), 2:3 Clark K. (51.)
Goals HCP: 0:1 Osmanski A. (2.), 1:2 Coulter T. (23.), 1:3 Findlay B. (46.), 2:4 Coulter T. (60./EN)

Steinbach Black Wings Linz – Moser Medical Graz99ers 2:1/OT (1:0, 0:1, 0:0, 1:0)
Referees: Hronsky, Ofner, Durmis, Konc | Spectators: 4.011
Standings in the „Best-of-7“ series: 2:3
Goals BWL: 1:0 Roe L. (7.), 2:1/OT Lebler B. (70.)
Goal G99: 1:1 Roy K. (37.)

HCB Südtirol Alperia – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 6:1 (2:1, 4:0, 0:0)
Referees: Piragic, Sternat, Mantovani, Zgonc | Spectators: 3.520
Standings in the „Best-of-7“ series: 3:2
Goals HCB: 1:0 Gazley D. (5.), 2:0 Helewka A. (18.), 3:1 Salinitri A. (26.), 4:1 McClure B. (27.), 5:1 Helewka A. (28.), 6:1 McClure B. (32.)
Goal VSV: 2:1 Vallant T. (20.)