Ljubljana takes the lead in the standings for the first time

Newly formed top-3 of bet-at-home ICE Hockey League
HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana has been active in the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League for just eight games. The Slovenians left the ice as winners an impressive six times, putting them at the top of bet-at-home ICE Hockey for the first time. In the top meeting against EC Red Bull Salzburg, a single goal was enough for the new league leaders. Until the final period, the two goalies Zan Us (HKO) and Atte Tolvanen (RBS) fought a duel at the highest level. Then it was Gregor Koblar in overtime who was the only crack to overcome one of the goalies. EC Red Bull Salzburg lost one place in the standings with the defeat and is now in fourth place.

The former league leader Hydro Fehérvár AV19 had to make way for Ljubljana. The Dornbirn Bulldogs were anything but uninvolved in this, winning 3:1 against the former leader. After the Vorarlbergers took the lead in the first period, neither team could add to their tally until the 45th minute. The hosts finally tied the game in overtime before Jesse Saarinen put his team back in front with his second goal of the day a little later. The Bulldogs finally prevailed 3-1 and climbed into the top-6.




The new number-3 is HC Orli Znojmo, who won for the second time in ten days against the Moser Medical Graz99ers. While the Styrians had to accept a 3:9 defeat in the first encounter, Znojmo managed the game-winner in the 53rd minute on Sunday. The real bad news for Graz, however, came before the game: Goalie Anthony Peters, who last celebrated a shutout against the Black Wings, will be out for six to ten weeks with an upper-body injury.

Teams from Carinthia celebrate successes against South Tyrolean ICE representatives
After recent defeats, both EC-KAC and EC Grand Immo VSV were able to record successes. While the KAC passed sovereign with 4:1 against newcomer HC Pustertal, the Villachers fought their victory against HCB Südtirol Alperia in the overtime. Johannes Bischofberger in particular made his mark on the Klagenfurt team's success with two goals and an assist. For Villach's third home win, the hosts had to go overtime, despite a strong start and a 2-0 lead after just over three minutes. HCB Südtirol Alperia managed to equalize for the first time (5:5) since the first minute only with a late brace within 20 seconds in the third period. In the overtime John Hughes provided the decision.

Another damper for Black Wings after first win
The Steinbach Black Wings Linz recorded their first win of the new season on Friday in their seventh attempt. In the eighth round, however, the next damper promptly followed for the Upper Austrians. Against the iClinic Bratislava Capitals they lost 1:3. Especially in the first period, the Slovaks were more efficient in front of the goal. After trailing 0:3 from the Upper Austrians' point of view, Brian Leber was able to reduce the deficit in the middle period, but it was not enough for more. For Bratislava it was the first success after two defeats in a row since the overtime win in Graz in September.



bet-at-home ICE Hockey League, 8. Runde:
iClinic Bratislava Capitals - Steinbach Black Wings Linz 3:1 (2:0,1:1,0:0)
Referees: HRONSKY, STERNAT, Durmis, Gatol
Goals IBC: Arniel (2.), Snuggerud (17.), Roy (21.),
Goals BWL: Lebler (28.)

Moser Medical Graz99ers - HC Orli Znojmo 1:2 (1:1,0:0,0:1)
Referees: BULOVEC, OFNER, Bärnthaler, Seewald
Goals G99: Ograjensek (8.),
Goals ZNO: Prokes (7.), Kvasnica (53.)

EC GRAND Immo VSV - HCB Südtirol Alperia 6:5 OT (2:0,1:2,2:3)
Referees: HUBER, NIKOLIC M., Nothegger, Puff
Goals VSV: Collins (1.), Kosmachuk (4.), Karlsson (30.), Pilloni (43.), Lanzinger (53.), Hughes (65./PP1)
Goals HCB: Findlay (21./PP1), Gazley (37.), Pitschieler (49.), Maione (54.), Frigo (54.)

Hydro Fehervar AV 19 - Dornbirn Bulldogs 1:3 (0:1,0:0,1:2)
Referees: SIEGEL, SOOS, Kis-Kiraly, Konc,
Goals AVS: Terbocs (46./PP1)
Goals DEC: Saarinen (16.,47.), Jevpalovs (58./PP1)

HK SZ Olimpija - EC Red Bull Salzburg 1:0 (0:0,0:0,1:0)
Referees: RENCZ, ZRNIC, Muzsik, Zgonc,
Goals HKO: Koblar (50./PP1)

HC Pustertal Wölfe - EC-KAC 1:4 (0:1,1:1,0:2)
Referees: LAZZERI, PIRAGIC, Rigoni, Sparer
Goals PUS: Stukel (28.),
Goals KAC: Fraser (16./PP1), Bischofberger (39.,51./SH), Hundertpfund (42.)