Release from 14.03.2018

Ritten needs one more win for semis

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While Rittner Buam could qualify as third team for semifinals when the champions host Red Bull Hockey Juniors, the quarterfinal between FBI VEU Feldkirch and HC Pustertal is tied at two. On Thursday the series continues at Voarlberghalle.
 
Thu, 15.03.2018, 19:30 Uhr: FBI VEU Feldkirch (4) vs. HC Pustertal (5)
Referees: LAZZERI, STRASSER, M. Cristeli, Kalb
Score in the "best of seven" quarterfinal series, VEU – HCP: 2:2

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After HC Pustertal tying the series at two with their first ever Alps Hockey League postseason home win, it continues "best of three". While both team did well on the PK in the first games, the last one was characterized by many penalties and power play goals. Five goals were scored with a man advantage, among them also the game winner in overtime. The spectators can expect another big fight on the ice. After HCP got a shutout in the first road game of the series, they suffered a tough OT defeat at Vorarlberghalle lately. In all four matches the team scoring the first goal always won. 
 
Thu, 15.03.2018, 20:00 Uhr: Rittner Buam (2) vs. Red Bull Hockey Juniors (7)
Referees: MORI, RUETZ, Giacomozzi, Rinker
Score in the "best of seven" quarterfinal series, RIT – RBJ: 3:1
 
With claiming a 4:1 road win in their last meeting, Ritten can go through to semis on Thursday - in case of promotion the champions would face Jesenice. After losing the first game of the series, the Lehtonen team got three consecutive wins with scoring 10:2 goals. In addition goalie Patrick Killeen did a great job, saving 96.4 per cent of the shots - record in 2018 playoffs so far. Another key factor is the PK with Ritten killing all 15 shorthanded situations. The champions will be without Andreas Alber, Max Ploner (both long-term injured) and Markus Spinell, while Lukas Schreier and Yannic Pilloni are doubtful for the Juniors.