Match pucks for Graz and Pustertal | Ljubljana grabs series lead with dazzling minute

Graz moves to 3:0 in quarterfinal series
The Moser Medical Graz99ers are on the verge of reaching the semifinals of the win2day ICE Hockey League playoffs. The Styrians defeated EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 3:1 in Game 3 of the best-of-seven series in front of a sold-out crowd at Merkur Eisstadion, taking a commanding 3:0 series lead.

The hosts started the game with plenty of pressure and opened the scoring already in the first period. After an intense opening phase, Graz capitalized on a power play: Nick Swaney beat the goaltender with a precise shot for the 1:0 lead. The 99ers remained in control and doubled their advantage in the 14th minute when Lukas Haudum set up Paul Huber, who finished to make it 2:0.

Villach responded in the second period and cut the deficit. Alex Wall won a one-on-one situation and beat Graz netminder Maxime Lagacé to make it 2:1. However, the hosts answered later in the middle frame: after a pass from Nick Bailen, Kasper Kotkansalo restored the two-goal lead in the 36th minute.

In the third period, Graz largely controlled the game and limited VSV’s offensive chances. Villach pulled goalie Joe Cannata for an extra attacker with around five minutes remaining but had to send him back onto the ice after taking a penalty. The score remained unchanged.

With the 3:1 home victory, the Graz99ers now lead the quarterfinal series 3:0 and will have their first chance to clinch a semifinal berth in the next game.

Pustertal earns four match pucks against defending champions
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal claimed a 4:3 road victory over reigning champions EC Red Bull Salzburg in the win2day ICE Hockey League quarterfinals, moving ahead 3:0 in the best-of-seven series and earning four match pucks.

Salzburg had the stronger start and took the lead in the third minute when Michael Raffl set up Troy Bourke, who scored from the slot for 1:0. Pustertal quickly found its rhythm and tied the game in the 14th minute, with Alan Lobis feeding Cole Bardreau in front of the net.

Pustertal gradually took control in the second period. Mikael Frycklund gave the visitors their first lead in the 22nd minute, but Salzburg responded when Nienhuis tied the game with a slap shot. In a fast-paced stretch, Markus Lauridsen restored Pustertal’s lead before Lukas Auer tipped home the equalizer to make it 3:3. Still before the intermission, Jon Blum put the visitors back in front after a feed from Henry Bowlby.

In the third period, the visitors defended their lead with discipline. Salzburg created several chances but was repeatedly denied by goaltender Pasquale or the post. In the end, Pustertal held on to secure its third win of the series.

The HCP now leads the quarterfinal matchup 3:0 and can clinch a semifinal spot in the next game.

A dazzling minute puts Olimpija ahead in the series
Game 3 between HCB Südtirol Alperia and Olimpija Ljubljana once again went to the road team. The Slovenians rallied from a 0:2 deficit with a dazzling minute in the final period, scoring three goals in just 38 seconds to claim a 3:2 victory and take a 2:1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

For much of Saturday’s game in Bolzano, however, it looked like a win for the Foxes. The South Tyroleans controlled the first two periods and opened the scoring in the third minute through Matt Bradley, who also doubled the lead in the middle frame to make it 2:0.

But the Dragons came out of the second intermission like a different team and flipped the game in just 38 seconds. Marcel Mahkovec opened the scoring spree early in the 48th minute. Just 14 seconds later, Andrew MacWilliam netted the equalizer. And only 24 seconds after that, Nicolai Meyer gave Ljubljana its first lead of the night.

Bolzano pushed for the equalizer afterward but never fully recovered from the shock and suffered its second home loss of the series.

win2day ICE Hockey League, Sa, 14.03.2026 Quarter Finals, Game 3

Moser Medical Graz99ers – EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 3:1 (2:0, 1:1, 0:0)
Referees: HRONSKY, SMETANA, Bedynek, Durmis
Goals G99: Swaney (11./PP), Huber (14.), Kotkansalo (36.)
Goals VSV: Wall (27.)
„best-of-seven“-series: 3:0

EC Red Bull Salzburg – HC Falkensteiner Pustertal 3:4 (1:1, 2:3, 0:0)
Referees: HUBER A., STERNAT, Nothegger, Zacherl
Goals RBS: Bourke (3.), Nienhuis (28.), Auer (38.)
Goals HCP: Bardeau (14.), Frycklund (22.), Lauridsen (36.), Blum (38.)
„best-of-seven“-series: 0:3

HCB Südtirol Alperia – Olimpija Ljubljana 2:3 (1:0, 1:0, 0:3)
Referees: PIRAGIC, ZRNIC, Puff, Zgonc
Goals HCB: Bradley (3., 28.)
Goals OLL: Mahkovec (48./PP), MacWilliam (48.), Meyer (48.)
„best-of-seven“-series: 1:2

Foto (c) Graz99ers

Video Reviews:

G99 vs. VSV


During the game between Graz and Villach, a check in the first period was reviewed for a potential five-minute major penalty plus game misconduct. After the video review, it was determined that a two-minute penalty for interference was appropriate. The Situation Room agrees with this decision.

RBS vs. HCP



After Video Review the "no Goal" on-ice call is confirmed