Quick re-union in the Quarterfinals

Totally 77 minutes and 34 seconds were necassary to find a winner in Quarterfinal number 1 between EC-KAC and HC Orli Znojmo, then Jamie Lundmark scored the Game Winner for Klagenfurt. Already on Tuesday the two teams will face again in Czech Republic. The „Red Eagles“ played strong in front of their fans lately, won their last five games, getting a score of 23:7-goals. But take attention: Their last home-defeat the Vice-Champion received on January 13rd 2017 vs. EC-KAC. The Carinthian even won their last seven games with a score of 34:15-goals. To Znojmo  Manuel Geier and Company also travel with good memories: There they also won their last seven games! Last time the Czechs beat EC-KAC at home was on December 28th 2014 or already 792 days ago! „We showed a good game and took many shots at Klagenfurt and there is no reason to be down. KAC must beat us four times, to get into the next round. It was just the beginning. At home we will be even better“, said Znojmo‘s Forward Tomas Plihal. „The team showed character, won after beeing back in period 3. We will come to Znojmo best regenerated and we want to make then the next step there“, reported  KAC Headcoach Mike Pellegrims.

 

On Wednesday is played for the first time Playoff-hockey in the new Merkur IceArena at Graz! The 99ers build their hopes in the second Quarterfinal against EC Red Bull Salzburg on their home-strength: In front of their fans the Styrians won their last five games and got a score of 23:7-goals! But take attention: Their last home-defeat the 99ers received on January 11th 2017 with 0:4 against the Champion. Besides Oliver Setzinger and Company did not score against the Red Bulls already for 135 minutes and 49 seconds; their last goal-scorer against Salzburg was Kyle Beach. The Red Bulls on the other side were on fire lately: The Mozart Citizens took 173 shots on goal in their last four games, which were all won, and made 27 goals (scoring-efficiency: 15,6%)! Quarterfinal number 1 the Red Bulls won after a strong performance and 44:28-shots on goal on Sunday at home with 3:0. 99ers-goalie Sebastian Dahm prevented a higher defeat for his team. In the season-clash Salzburg is leading now with 4:1-wins, the Red Bulls inter alia were successful in the last three meetings. „We did not allowed many chances and produced many. We have to continue like this“, knows Salzburg goalie Bernhard Starkbaum, who stopped all 28 shots from the 99ers in the first Play-off-game. „It needs some time to get used to the speed from Salzburg. We also have to stay out of the Penalty Box and take advantage from the chances, which we get“; said 99ers-Head Coach Doug Mason.

 

For the first time since March 1st 2009 or 2.921 days Innsbruck sees Playoff-hockey on top-level on Tuesday again. In those days the Tyroleans lost at home vs. EC-KAC with 1:3. This season the Sharks are back in the Play-offs. Their comeback-game they lost at Vienna on Sunday 0:5. Now the Sharks welcome the Capitals on Tuesday. Since the return of Innsbruck in the Erste Bnk Eishockey Liga 2012/13 Vienna won ten from eleven games at Innsbruck, inter alia all three 2016/17. Besides the Caps beat the Sharts twice in the last six days (3:1, 5:0) and were on Fire in both game (41:33- and 46:21-shots on goal). „I think, Vienna can not play better as they did in game 1. But we can play better. The series is not over, it was played just one game now. To get in the next round, it needs four wins. We must play better in the neutral zone“, knows Innsbrucks Head Coach Rob Pallin. „We must play focussed in the defense also at Innsbruck and work hard in the offense again“, knows Viennas Captain Jonathan Ferland.

 

Like in the past EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz won on Sunday the first Quarterfinal against HCB Südtirol Alperia. Two years ago the Foxes then equalized in the series at home in game 2, while 2016 the Austrians made it 2:0 with a home-win. Quarterfinal number 1 the Austrians won this Sunday at home thanks a goal from Brian Lebler in minute 69 with 2:1 after Overtime and lead now in the Best-of-seven series 1:0. Both Goalies - Mike Ouzas, he had 36 saves and Marcel Melichercik (44 Saves) – were on fire. „Our plan was to take many, many shots and create many, many chances“, reported Linz Head Coach Rob Daum. At Bozen the players were not happy with their Power Play efficiency in the KeineSorgen IceArena, six Power Plays stayed unused: „We must play strong again, but take better advantage from our Power Play. We must continue to play intense, each little detail is important in a best-of-seven-series“, reported HCB-player Anton Bernard. Now the series continues on Tuesday at Bozen, where again a great atmosphere is awaiting the players. The Foxes lost at Linz on Sunday their tenth road-game in a row in the year 2017, but at home they beat Linz in their last home-game with 6:2. And also in the meeting before Bozen was successful at home against the Upper Austrians with 5:4…

 

Tue, 28.02.2017: HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ – UPC Vienna Capitals (19:15)
Referees: BERNEKER, LEMELIN, Nothegger, Verworner.
Standing Best-of-seven-Serie, VIC – HCI: 1:0
Tue, 28.02.2017: HC Orli Znojmo – EC-KAC (19:45, ServusTV live)
Referees: SMETANA, ZRNIC, Kaspar, Zgonc.
Stand in der Best-of-seven-Serie, KAC – ZNO: 1:0
Tue, 28.02.2017: HCB Südtirol Alperia – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz (19:45)
Referees: M. NIKOLIC, STOLC, Pardatscher, Seewald.
Standing Best-of-seven-Series, BWL - HCB: 1:0
Wed, 01.03.2017: Moser Medical Graz99ers – EC Red Bull Salzburg (19:45, SKY live)
Referees: PIRAGIC, TRILAR, Nemeth, Soos.
Standing Best-of-seven-Serie, RBS – G99: 1:0