Pustertal and Ljubljana capture lead in semi-finals

HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana started with a success in the best-of-five semi final series. Ljubljana put a lot of pressure onto the ice and created multiple chances. In the 11th minute Saso Rajsar opened the scoring in powerplay. Ljubljana kept on controlling the game and only two minutes later Ales Music doubled the lead. Lustenau also coreated one or the other chance, but Zan Us kept the zero in the first period. The Austrians started better into the second period. But when Lustenau had the big chance to narrow the gap in powerplay, it was again Ljubljana who scored. Gal Koren scored numerous disadvantage the 3:0. Lustenau kept on trying to come back – this time with success. Philip Putnik narrowed down the gap to two, after his goal in the 31st minute. Ljubljana took the warning signals serious and increased pressure again. The Slovenian controlled the final period and Aljaz Achvatal brought with an empty netter the final result of 4:1. Next time for Lustenau to strike back is already on Wednesday.

Goals HKO: 1:0 Rajsar (11./pp1 Zorko- Koblar), 2:0 Music (13. Koren-Vidmar), 3:0 Koren (31./sh1 Music), 4:1 Chvatal (60./en Cepon)

Goals EHC: 3:1 Putnik (31. Winzig-Arkiomaa)

HC Pustertal Wolves vs. HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice 3:2 O.T. (0:1, 1:1, 1:0, 1:0) 

Great victory in the overtime and in the comeback of Bruneck that overcame Jesenice 3:2 OT thanks to a final of remarkable character. The home team did not have David Laner and Thomas Erlacher at its disposal. Jesenice couldn’t count on Tadej Cimzar and Nejc Stojan. Good start for the Wolves that put a lot of pressure on Matthew Climie's net. But the first goal was Slovenian. During the first powerplay, David Rodman served a perfect assist for Philippe Paradis who, with a slapshot, overcame Colin Furlong (5’). Bruneck's reaction was consistent with a lot of play in the opponent's defense but the attack of the yellow-black don’t find the winning cue. Armin Helfer hit the crossbar. On the other side Jesenice controlled and then went into counterattack. Despite 19 shots, Bruneck closed the first half under a goal. In the second period the Red Steelers double after just 29 seconds with an action all in fast and culminated with the slapshot by Mathieu Gagnon. The game became even more fought and fast for a very nice game that did not betray the expectations of the eve. After a few minutes Bruneck reopened the match with Alex De Lorenzo Meo who was in the right place at the right time after a lucky bounce from the corner. The Wolves insisted but at the end of the second half Jesenice ahead of 2:1. In the third period there was the same plot of the meeting. Bruneck attacked with Armin Hofer hitting the post. When 137 seconds are left to the third whistle, coach Petri Mattila recall Furlong. After just 20 seconds with the extra attacker, Bruneck drew with Markus Gander. A great blow for the Wolves who then won the overtime after 3 minutes of play with Teemu Virtala for the happiness of the fans (1800) of the Rienzstadion. Jesenice lost after 10 consecutive victories. Bruneck showed a lot of character in reversing the result.