Release from 25.02.2025

Pustertal Advances to Quarterfinals | Caps Force Game 3

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HC Pustertal has secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 win2day ICE Hockey League, eliminating HK Olimpija Ljubljana in the Pre-Playoffs for the second consecutive season. Meanwhile, the spusu Vienna Capitals forced a decisive Game 3 with a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Hydro Fehérvár AV19. The decisive clash on Friday in Székesfehérvár will be broadcast LIVE on PULS 24.

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The second matchup between the Capitals and Fehérvár started with scoring chances on both sides: Leon Wallner and Bence Stipsicz failed to convert. In a tightly contested opening period, the Capitals struck first late in the frame: after a puck recovery and a perfect setup by Zane Franklin, Jérémy Grégoire lit the lamp in the 19th minute. Vienna carried the momentum into the second period, but Erik Kirchschläger couldn’t capitalize on the best opportunity, being denied by AVS netminder Rasmus Reijola. Fehérvár gained momentum after earning a power play, generating multiple scoring chances. However, Capitals goaltender Tyler Parks came up big with key saves to preserve the lead. Fehérvár pushed hard for the equalizer in the third period but couldn’t break through—even on the man advantage. The Hungarian side went 0-for-3 on the power play. Vienna’s defense held strong, and the Caps successfully protected their narrow lead until the final buzzer. Tyler Parks, who returned in February after a long injury layoff and played just his eighth game for Vienna, celebrated his first shutout in the win2day ICE Hockey League. With the 1-0 victory, the spusu Vienna Capitals forced a winner-takes-all Game 3 on Friday in Székesfehérvár—LIVE on PULS 24.

As in the previous season, HC Pustertal eliminated HK Olimpija Ljubljana in the Pre-Playoffs. This time, the South Tyroleans needed only two games—despite entering the series as the lower-seeded team. After their overtime win on Sunday in Ljubljana, the Wolves followed up with a 2-0 shutout victory at home on Tuesday. Following a scoreless opening period, Pustertal ramped up the pressure in the second frame. Jason Akeson broke the deadlock during a dominant stretch of play to make it 1-0. Early in the third period, Brett Findlay doubled the lead with a crucial insurance goal. Goaltender Eddie Pasquale and HC Pustertal shut the door from there, clinching the Wolves' third playoff appearance in just four seasons in the win2day ICE Hockey League. Olimpija Ljubljana, meanwhile, missed out on the quarterfinals for the third straight year. Pasquale, who had already been named win2day Game Day Hero in Game 1, recorded his second shutout of the season to seal the series.

win2day ICE Hockey League, Pre-Playoffs – Game 2 (February 25, 2025)

spusu Vienna Capitals – Hydro Fehérvár AV19 1:0 (1:0, 0:0, 0:0)
Referees: Piragic, Smetana, Bedynek, Durmis
Best-of-3 Series Tied: 1-1
Goal Scorer (VIC): Grégoire (19')

HC Pustertal – HK Olimpija Ljubljana 2:0 (0:0, 1:0, 1:0)
Referees: Huber A., Nikolic K., Mantovani, Pardatscher
Best-of-3 Series Result: 2-0 for Pustertal
Goal Scorers (HCP): Akeson (36'), Findlay (44')