Playoffs will start on Wednesday

Wed, 13.03.2019: spusu Vienna Capitals (1.) vs. HC Orli Znojmo (8.) – (19:15)
Wed, 13.03.2019: Moser Medical Graz99ers (2.) vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz (7) – (19:15, www.servushockeynight.com live)
Wed, 13.03.2019: EC-KAC (3.) vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia (6.) – (19:15, SKY Sport HD and video33.it live)
Wed, 13.03.2019: Fehervar AV19 (4.) vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg (5) - (19:15, DIGI Sport live).

 

Wed, 13.03.2019: spusu Vienna Capitals (1.) vs. HC Orli Znojmo (8.) – (19:15)
Referees: SMETANA, STERNAT, Nagy, Soos.
• spusu Vienna Capitals and HC Orli Znojmo will face each other in a Playoff series for a second time. 2012/13, the Austrians have been successful against the „Red Eagles“ 4:1 in the Quarterfinals.
• spusu Vienna Capitals vs. HC Orli Znojmo is the meeting of two powerful teams. The Capitals have netted most goals so far (209), the „Red Eagles“ fourth most goals (201)
• The two teams have shown different faces lately: While spusu Vienna Capitals have left the ice as the winner in eleven straight games, the Czechs have been defeated in two consecutive games lately.
• The top 8 scorers of the Intermediate Round are playing for the spusu Vienna Capitals or HC Orli Znojmo! HC Orli Znojmo forward Nicolas Hlava scored 15 points (6G/9A) out of eight games during that span. Vienna’s Riley Holzapfel followed on place 2, he had 14 points (5G/9A).
• spusu Vienna Capitals have won two straight east-derbys. But, watch out: The Czechs were successful in three out of the last five games in Vienna.
Quotes:
Andreas Nödl, Kapitän spusu Vienna Capitals: „Znojmo is always a dangerous team: The Czechs have some very good lines and are a very offensiv team. We have to play good defense against them and stay out of the penalty box.“
Miroslav Frycer, Head Coach HC Orli Znojmo: „We have to play as a team. This will be a key in the Playoffs and we have to improve on Power Play.“

 

Referees: GRUBER, PIRAGIC, Kaspar, Rezek.
• Moser Medical Graz99ers (2.) and EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz 87.) will face each other for the very 1st time in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga Playoffs (since 2003/2004). While the Upper Austrians have already become Champions 2003 and 2012, the Styrians will try to make the second Playoff round for the very first time.
• Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz is the only Austrian clash in the Quarterfinals 2019. The match will be broadcasted live and for free by www.servushockeynight.com on Wednesday at 19:15.
• Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz is the meeting of the two best Power Play teams. The Styrians have the best PP% (26.1%) and the Steel Citizens follow on place 2 (PP%: 24.1).
• Moser Medical Graz99ers have won three consecutive home-games against EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz. The Upper Austrians got their last victory in Graz on September 15th 2017 or 543 days ago.
• 99er Colton Yellow Horn (58 points – 24G/34A) and Linz‘s Dan DaSilva (47 points – 22G/25A) are their club’s best scorers.
Quotes:
Doug Mason, Headcoach Moser Medical Graz99ers: „The Black Wings are a dangerous team: Locke is creating chances, DaSilva or Lebler can score goals… We have to play with intensity and discipline.“
Rick Schofield, forward EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: „We are looking forward to a good series. The 99ers are a top team, that can score goals. We have  to play good defense!“

 

Referees:  GARON, ZRNIC, Kontschieder, Nothegger.
• Champion HCB Südtirol Alperia will start into the Playoffs in Klagenfurt on Wednesday and will travel with good memories there: The Italians have played their first Quarterfinal match in Klagenfurt 2018 as well and have won 3:1. Furthermore, they even won the title in the end. But, watch out: EC-KAC has been successful in all three season-contest against the Champion at home so far.
• HCB Südtirol Alperia will be coached by Canadian Clayton Beddoes for the very first time in Klagenfurt on Wednesday. Anton Bernard and Co. will go for their 200th win in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga histoy.
• EC-KAC will welcome their 100.000 spectator of the season in their arena on Wednesday. 96.160 fans watched 27 games in Klagenfurt 2018/19 so far.
• HCB Südtirol Alperia will try to end their bad road-run in Klagenfurt. The Champion has been defeated in seven straight road-games. But watch out: Klagenfurt has lost two straight home-games as well.
• HCB Südtirol Alperia is better ranked or equal with EC-KAC in all special statistics (Power Play, Penalty Killing, Scoring efficiency, Fair Play).
Quotes:
Petri Matikainen, Head Coach EC-KAC: „Most important hockey-time starts now. We are ready for the Playoffs!“
Clayton Beddoes, Head Coach HCB Südtirol Alperia: „It is much potential in the team and the team is build for the Playoffs. Each player will fight to win.“

 

Referees: BALUSKA, TRILAR, Hribar, Zgonc.
• Fehervar AV19 and EC Red Bull Salzburg are facing each other for the first time in the Playoffs. The first match is played in Szekesfehervar on Wednesday. The Hungarians will try to step up to the semifinals  for the first time, while the Mozart Citizens have already won  the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga six times (last title: 2016).
• The two teams have shown different faces lately: While the Hungarians have been successsul in three straight matches, the Red Bulls have been defeated in three consecutive games.
• The two clubs have meet each other twice lately: Fehervar AV19 won 4:1 in Salzburg on February 24th, while EC Red Bull Salzburg was successful 3:2 in Hungary on March 1st 2019.
• Fehervar AV19 has the best scoring efficiency (12.56%). The Devils have already netted 192 goals out of 1.527 shots on net. The Red Bulls have been on fire as well, they potted second most goals (204).
• Szekesfehervar’s Janos Hari (67 points – 22G/45A) and Salzburg’s John Hughes (62 points – 20G/42A) are their teams best scorers.
Quotes:
Hannu Järvenpää, who will be Head Coach of Fehervar AV19 2019/20 as well, knows: „Salzburg is a strong opponent, even they haven’t always shown their best face lately. I believe in my team and my players. In this fight we always have to stay positive and humble.“
Besides, Assistant Coach Antti Karhula stays in Szekesfehervar for another two years. Forward Andrew Sarauer has extended his contract until 2021 too.
Michael Schiechl, forward EC Red Bull Salzburg: „We are ready for the Playoffs. The Hungarians have one top-line. Most important will be to stop this line then we have a good chance to step up into the next round. Since Brucker took over as Head Coach the fun is back on the ice.“