Release from 14.02.2020
The EC Red Bull Salzburg celebrated a 4:2 victory over spusu Vienna Capitals in the top game of the fourth Pick-Round and increased its lead on second place to six points. The first pursuer of the Salzburgers is the HCB South Tyrolean Alperia, which continued its home series against the EC-KAC. In the Qualification Round the top duo celebrated victories and thus made another step towards the playoffs. Third place in the Qualification Round was taken by HC Tiroler Wasserkraft Innsbruck, who beat Fehérvár AV 19.
Salzburg ends home series of the Vienna
EC Red Bull Salzburg continues to extend its lead in the standings. In the top match, the Salzburgers won 4:2 as guests at the spusu Vienna Capitals. Two players celebrated their comeback in this game. While for Salzburg Thomas Raffl was back in the game after a long injury break, Phil Lakos was activated in the Erste Bank Ice Hockey League for the first time this season. The home side started the game with a more biting start but were unable to overcome their ex-goalie J.P. Lamoureux. The first period ended scoreless. Head Referee Gergely Kinces got injured in a collision and could not continue the match. The referee team continued in threes. In the second period, the Caps seemed to continue to be the match-determining team. Salzburg, however, acted more efficiently and led 3-1 through Chad Kolarik and Connor Brickley, with Sondre Olden writing for the Viennese. Mike Zalweski brought the Viennese back into the game in the final section with the follow-up goal. With the emptynetter the guests finally made the decision and ended the seven games lasting home series of the Viennese. Salzburg are now unbeaten for six away games.
Bolzano climbs to second place
The HCB Südtirol Alperia celebrated a 3:1 victory over the EC-KAC and thus came in second in the Pick Round. While Bolzano was able to continue its home series (note: undefeated for five games) Klagenfurt could not win the last four away games. The South Tyroleans, who had to give up their second-best scorer Sebastien Sylvestre due to injury, started the match efficiently. Within six seconds in the sixth minute, the foxes scored twice. Adam Comrie was able to shorten in superior numbers in the first section. The two teams then put up a tough fight, but in the next 50 minutes the focus was on goalkeepers Justin Fazio (HCB) and David Madlener (KAC). No more goals were scored until the 58th minute. The KAC took full risk but had to put up with Luca Frigo's emptynetter. The Foxes captured the second place in the table with their second win in a row.
VSV maintains lead in Quali Round
The EC Panaco VSV also won the second match under Neo Head Coach Rob Daum and maintained the lead in the Qualification Round. The Villach-based team won 4-2 against HC Orli Znojmo, who remained without a win in the intermediate round. The VSV started the match much more determined, created more chances and took a 2-0 lead. The hosts from the Czech Republic found their way into the match in the second period but could not overcome Brandon Maxwell for the time being. On the contrary: Jerry Pollastrone made the 3-0 win with a shorthander. In the final section Znojmo started a race to make up ground, with newcomer Taylor Dorhety scoringin his first game. But Bernd Wolf made the decision a little more than a minute before the end While VSV is leading the qualifying round, Znojmo is fifth.
Strong finish ensures victory for Linz
The Liwest Black Wings Linz prevailed against the Dornbirn Bulldogs 6:2. This was the first away win for the Linz team this year. The Bulldogs, with whom William Rapuzzi celebrated his comeback after an injury break, got the better start to the encounter. Tomi Körkkö brought his team into the lead late in the first period. In the second period the Linz team equalized twice. With the score of 2:2 the teams entered the decisive final section, where the Black Wings played big. With four goals - three of which were scored by Brian Lebler - the guests produced the result of 6:2. Equal on points with EC Panaceo VSV, the Black Wings are at the top of the Qualification Round.
Innsbruck climb to playoffspot
HC Tiroler Wasserkraft Innsbruck celebrated a 3:1 victory over Hydro Fehérvár AV 19 and took the third place in the Qualification Round. For the Innsbruckers this was already the third success in the intermediate round. After a goalless third at the start, Caleb Herbert opened the scoring. The home side equalized once more before Tylor Spurgeon snatched back the Sharks' lead. The Sharks acted hard-nosed in the final section and finally conquered the 3:1 victory through an emptynetter. With a total of ten points, Innsbruck climbed to the third playoff spot of the Qualification Round for the time being. The Hungarians are three points behind the third place.
Pick Round:
spusu Vienna Capitals - EC Red Bull Salzburg 2:4 (0:0, 1:3, 1:1)
Referees: KINCSES, PEARCE, Gatol, Muzsik
Goals VIC: Olden (25.), Zalewski (51.)
Goals RBS: Kolarik (24./pp1), Brickley ( 34/sh1, 38/pp1)
HCB Südtirol Alperia – EC-KAC 3:1 (2:1, 0:0, 1:0)
Referees: PIRAGIC, TRILAR, Basso, Pardatscher
Goals HCB: Wiercioch (6.), Giliati (6.), Frigo (58.)
Goals KAC: Kozek (8./pp1),
Qualification Round:
HC Orli Znojmo – EC Panaceo VSV 2:4 (0:2, 0:1, 2:1)
Referees: NIKOLIC K., SIEGEL, Nagy, Soos
Goals ZNO: Doherty (47.), Svoboda (48.),
Goals VSV: Bjorkstrand (15.), Fraser (17./pp1), Pollastrone (40./sh1), Wolf (59.)
Hydro Féhervár AV19 – HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ 1:3 (0:0, 1:2, 0:1)
Referees: NIKOLIC M., SMETANA, Bärnthaler, Vaczi
Goals AVS: Sarauer (38.),
Goals HCI: Herbert (28.), Spurgeon (39.), Thörnberg (60. /EN)
Dornbirn Bulldogs – EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz 2:6 (1:0, 1:2, 0:4)
Referees: OFNER, STOLC, Sparer, Tschrepitsch
Goals DEC: Körkkö (19.), Romig (32.), Lebler (43., 45., 59.), Bruckner (43.)
Goals BWL: Cijan (24.), Schofield (35./sh.),