Release from 18.03.2018
HCB Südtirol Alperia (in Klagenfurt), HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ (in Vienna) and the Dornbirn Bulldogs (in Salzburg) celebrated close road-wins in Quarterfinal number 5 on Sunday. This means, all four Quarterfinal-series will be decided for the first time in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga-history (since 2003/04-season) earliest after game 6.
Bulldogs celebrated comeback-win in Salzburg
EC Red Bull Salzburg dominated the first 40 minutes. Matthias Trattnig gave his team an early lead after a great pass from John Hughes. The Red Bulls were applying much pressure on the opposing team the rest of the first period as well, but the DEC-defense and goalie Rasmus Rinne did a great job. Shortly after the beginning of the second period, the guests from Dornbirn had their best chance so far, but Dustin Sylvester failed to score from a solo. Then, the Bulldogs took a penalty and this was punished by the Mozart Citizens: Peter Mueller finished a perfect pass from Rob Schremp. The game got chippy now. Each team had chances: While Hughes hit the post, Scott Timmins was free on the other side and netted the 1:2 into the upper corner (30.). The Red Bulls stayed unimpressed and were applying pressure on the Bulldogs, but Harris, Trattnig or Duncan missed the best chances. Matt Fraser tied the game with a rebound-goal in period 3. The game went to Overtime, in which Chris D‘Alvise potted the game winner for DEC in a Power Play (72.).
The Red Bulls are still leading in the best-of-seven-Quarterfinal-series 3:2, game six will be played in Dornbirn on Tuesday.
Bozen celebrated Overtime-victory in Klagenfurt
After a goalless first period HCB Südtirol Alperia got the lead immediatly after the re-start: Alexander Petan put his team ahead after just 47 seconds. Klagenfurt responded in minute 26: Thomas Hundertpfund’s Onetimer tied the game (- 1:1). The Austrians adjusted better to the game, but the score stayed unchanged until the second break. The game was chippy in the last 20 minutes as well. Angelo Micelli was free in front of the net and put Bozen ahead from close range (48.). The Foxes took penalties and this was punished by the Austrians: Johannes Bischofberger outplayed his opponent and send the game to Overtime (57.), in which Dominic Monardo potted the Game Winner for the Italians in Klagenfurt in minute 64. Bozen won 3:2/OT and is leading in the best-of-seven-Quarterfinal-series against EC-KAC with 3:2 as well. Game 6 will be played in South Tyrol on Tuesday.
Innsbruck extends season in Vienna
The fans in Vienna had to wait 39 minutes for the first goal: Fabio Schramm deflected the puck into the net after a shot from defenseman Wehrs and gave the guests from Innsbuck the lead. This was a wake-up-call for the Vienna Capitals. The Champion was applying pressure on the opposing team after the re-start, but goalie Patrik Nechvatal allowed no goal. Innsbruck waited for their chances. Finally, Andrew Yogan netted the 2:0 from a counter (49.). The Caps stayed unimpressed and responded with a Power Play goal from Taylor Vause. The Forward poked the puck in. The hosts contnued playing offensively, but the Sharks defended their close lead until the final buzzer. The Capitals are still leading in the best of seven Quarterfinal series 3:2, game 6 follows on Tuesday in Innsbruck.
Zagreb vs. Linz on Monday
KHL Medvescak Zagreb and EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz will play game 5 of their Quarterfinal series in Zagreb on Monday. This series is tied at 2:2.
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, Quarterfinal 5 (best of seven):
Sun, 18.03.2018: Vienna Capitals – HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ 1:2 (0:0 0:1, 1:1)
Referees: M. NIKOLIC, BERNEKER, Pardatscher, Schauer; spectators: 4.200
Goal VIC: Vause (57. PP)
Goals HCI: Schramm (39.), Yogan (49.)
Best-of-seven-series, VIC - HCI: 3:2.
Sun, 18. 03. 2018: EC-KAC – HCB Südtirol Alperia 2:3/OT (0:0/1:1/0:0/0:1)
Referees: BALUSKA, SMETANA, Nagy, Zgonc; spectators: 4.202
Goals KAC: Hundertpfund (26.), Bischofberger (57./pp)
Goals HCB: Petan (21.), Micelli (47.), Monardo (64.)
Best-of-seven-series, KAC - HCB: 2:3.
Sun, 18.03.2018: EC Red Bull Salzburg – Dornbirn Bulldogs 2:3/OT (1:0,1:1,0:1,0:1)
Referees: PIRAGIC/TRILAR, 2.580 spectators;
Goals RBS: Trattnig (6.), Mueller (26./pp)
Goals DEC: Timmins (30.), Fraser (45.), D’Alvise (73./pp)
Best-of-seven-series, RBS – DEC: 3:2.