Release from 30.03.2017

Ready for the finals!

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On Friday UPC Vienna Capitals and EC-KAC start into the finals in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga at Kagran!

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196 days ago this Erste Bank Eishockey Liga season started at Vienna, 352 games and 2.114 goals later begin now on Friday at Kagran also the best-of-seven-finals between the UPC Vienna Capitals and EC-KAC! It is the third Playoff-clash between this two clubs. So far they always meet in the finals: 2004/05 the Capitals won after seven games and in the 2012/13-season Klagenfurt took revenge with a „sweep“. The UPC Vienna Capitals then played another final 2015, which they lost against EC Red Bull Salzburg also 0:4. For the Carinthians on the other side this are the first finals since title number 30 in the year 2013. In Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (since 2003/04-season) EC-KAC starts their seventh finals: So far the Red Jackets always won the first final game, three times they also got the tite then in the end. Vienna on the other side opens their fourth finals: The Capitals celebrated once - 2005 against Klagenfurt - the title, but always lost final game 1 so far!
 
The UPC Vienna Capitals had enough time to prepare for the finals. Jonathan Ferland and Co. went through with a „sweep“ against Innsbruck in the Quarterfinals and Bozen in the semis. EC-KAC had to fight more: The Carinthians beat HC Orli Znojmo first 4:0 and then in the semis EC Red Bull Salzburg with 4:2. In this season Vienna and Klagenfurt faced so far six times, both clubs got three wins, inter alia two on the road. The UPC Vienna Capitals fight on Friday for their first final-win since April 12th 2005 or 4.370 days! In those days this success meaned the Championship title for the Caps and it is their only home-win in the finals in their history. Lately the team of Serge Aubin celebrated nine wins on the road, at home Jonathan Frland and Co. won their last eight matches. But take attention: With EC-KAC arrives that club at Vienna, that could beat the Capitals as the last team at home! Besides Jonathan Ferland and Company must fight against their bad run in finals: The Caps lost their last eight final games and so far in all three final-series the first game. „We expect close games with less goals and hart fights. We must follow our match plan“, knows Capitals Captain Jonathan Ferland.
 
More then 7.000 fans and a strong Vienna will expect EC-KAC on Friday at Kagran. But Manuel Geier and Co. travel there with good memories: The Carinthians won the last two meetings with the Caps and left Kagran as the last road-team on January 20th 2017 as the winner. Besides the Red Jackets were successful so far in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (since 2003/04-season) always in their first final game (2004, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013). Lately David Madlener and Company played strong defense and received just six goals in their last four games, while scoring 15 times. But goalie David Madlener warns: „Vienna  is a big challenge. The Caps won the regular season and also the Pick Round. We already looking forward to this games.“ Steven Strong is suspended.
 
With UPC Vienna Capitals (PP%: 39% or 16 goals from 41 PP) and EC-KAC (PP%: 17,8 or eight goals from 45 PP) the two best Powerplay teams from the Playoffs will meet in the finals. Also the best goal-scorers are in action in the finals. Riley Holzapfel (Vienna) made so far nine goals, Stefan Geier of EC-KAC eight.
 
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 1. Finals (best of seven):
Fri, 31.03.2017: UPC Vienna Capitals (1) vs. EC-KAC (3) – 20:15, ServusTV and SKY live
Referees: LEMELIN, STOLC, Rakovic, Seewald.
Standing Best-of-seven-Series, VIC – KAC: 0:0