Salzburg and Bolzano Secure Playoff Spot Despite Overtime Losses | Important Win for 99ers

The Moser Medical Graz99ers faced heavy pressure after their recent loss to the Steinbach Black Wings Linz. However, they handled the situation impressively against EC Red Bull Salzburg – a team they had yet to beat this season. The 99ers generated the better scoring chances and capitalized early, with Lukas Haudum netting the 1-0 lead in the first period. Manuel Ganahl doubled the advantage in the middle frame. Goaltender Nicolas Wieser, who got the start for Graz, turned aside every Red Bulls attempt in the first 40 minutes. But, just like they did in Pustertal a few days ago, the reigning champions mounted a late comeback. Two goals in the 59th minute from Ryan Murphy and Thomas Raffl – who made his return after a month-long injury break – forced the game into overtime. With that, Salzburg officially secured its spot in the 2025 win2day ICE Hockey League Playoffs before the game was even decided. However, it was the 99ers who claimed the crucial extra point in the race for a Top 6 finish, as Frank Hora sealed the deal in the 61st minute. The win gives Graz a three-point cushion over seventh-placed Villach, who had the night off.

Pustertal Wins Heated Derby but Can’t Deny Foxes a Playoff Spot
In the fourth South Tyrolean Derby of the season, HC Pustertal and HCB Südtirol Alperia battled in a heated showdown, offering a glimpse of what’s to come in the playoffs. The visitors from Bolzano came out strong, but Pustertal struck first on their opening shot, as Tommy Purdeller made it 1-0 in the fourth minute. The Foxes responded quickly on the power play, with Frigo finding the net in the seventh minute to tie the game. Bolzano remained in control, while Pustertal struggled to create offensive momentum. That changed in the second period, as Pustertal took over and reclaimed the lead through Glira in the 30th minute. The Foxes answered in the 34th minute, with Salinitri scoring on a breakaway to make it 2-2. The third period saw limited scoring chances, sending the game to overtime, where Mikael Frycklund secured the win for HC Pustertal. Despite the OT loss, HCB Südtirol Alperia officially clinched their playoff ticket.

Tough OT Loss for Black Wings in Playoff Race
After their crucial win against the Moser Medical Graz99ers earlier in the week, the Steinbach Black Wings Linz suffered a minor setback in the playoff race on Friday. Facing Olimpija Ljubljana on the road, the Upper Austrians started well but failed to capitalize on early scoring opportunities. As the game progressed, the home team ramped up the pressure, but neither side found the back of the net in the opening period. Early in the second frame, Andreas Kristler broke the deadlock, giving Linz a 1-0 lead. The Slovenians responded by turning up the heat, but the Black Wings’ defense held firm. However, in the 57th minute, Ziga Pance finally broke through, finishing off a breakaway to tie the game. Linz controlled the final moments of regulation but couldn’t find a second goal. In overtime, it didn’t take long for Mašič to end the contest, securing the extra point for Olimpija. With two games remaining in the regular season, Linz’s lead over seventh place now stands at just three points.

Pioneers and Capitals Keep Pace Ahead of Crucial Showdown
On Saturday, the Pioneers Vorarlberg and spusu Vienna Capitals will go head-to-head in a crucial matchup in the Pre-Playoff race. The day before their showdown, both teams managed to grab wins. For the currently 10th-placed Capitals, it was a 3-1 must-win victory against a struggling HC TIWAG Innsbruck. Meanwhile, the Pioneers Vorarlberg pulled off another massive win over Hydro Fehérvár AV19 to stay in contention for the Pre-Playoffs. The Vorarlberg squad built a 2-0 lead against the Hungarian side – who had dominated Innsbruck the day before – by the 43rd minute. Fehérvár managed to cut the deficit in the final period but couldn’t force overtime. As a result, the Pioneers remain five points behind the Caps. However, with a win in Saturday’s direct matchup, Vorarlberg could get right back into striking distance.

KAC Takes Another Step Toward CHL Qualification
EC-KAC wasn’t fazed by Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey on Friday night. The Italian squad held their own for the first 33 minutes and managed to create some dangerous chances. However, they couldn’t keep up with the pace set by the Austrian powerhouse. KAC, with six different goal scorers on the night, rolled to a 6-3 victory, extending their lead over second- and third-placed Bolzano and Salzburg to six points. Despite their comfortable position, their CHL ticket – awarded to the top two teams after the regular season – is not yet secured. However, Friday’s dominant performance was another major step in that direction.

win2day ICE Hockey League, Friday, 14.02.2025:
EC Red Bull Salzburg – Moser Medical Graz99ers 2:3 O.T. (0:1,0:1,2:0)
Referees: HRONSKY, OFNER, Bedynek, Durmis.
Goals RBS: Murphy (59.), Raffl (59.),
Goals G99: Haudum (9./pp1), Ganahl (25.), Hora (61.)

HC TIWAG Innsbruck – spusu Vienna Capitals 1:3 (0:2,0:0,1:1)
Referees: SMETANA, STERNAT, Riecken, Seewald J.
Goals HCI: McFadden (43.),
Goals VIC: Donohue (5.), Wallner (10./pp1), Andrusiak (60.)

Olimpija Ljubljana – Steinbach Black Wings Linz 2:1 O.T. (0:0,0:1,1:0)
Referees: PIRAGIC, ZRNIC, Muzsik, Vaczi.
Goals OLL: Pance (59.), Music (61.)
Goals BWL: Kristler (22.),

Pioneers Vorarlberg – Hydro Fehérvár AV19 2:1 (0:0,1:0,1:1)
Referees: NIKOLIC M., SCHAUER, Pardatscher, Sparer.
Goals PIV: Sowder (37.), Keefer (43./pp1)
Goals AVS: Cheek (58.)

Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey – EC-KAC 3:6 (1:3,2:2,0:1)
Referees: GROZNIK, REZEK, Hribar, Puff.
Goals ASH: Gios (8.), Magnabosco Aguirre (28.), Saracino (34.),
Goals KAC: Fraser (7.), Schwinger (8.), Unterweger (11.), Hochegger (34.), Clark (35.),
Maier (45.)

HC Pustertal – HCB Südtirol Alperia 3:2 O.T. (1:1,1:1,0:0)
Referees: HUBER A., NIKOLIC K., Mantovani, Nothegger.
Goals HCP: Purdeller (4.), Glira (30.), Frycklund (63.)
Goals HCB: Frigo (7./pp1), Salinitri (34.),