Release from 16.03.2017

Second round of semifinals

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On Friday the semifinals of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga is coming into the second round. In the first games the home teams defended their advantage. Now the series chances destination and the trailing teams aim to tie the series in front of their home crowd.

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Salzburg aims to increase lead
The EC Red Bull Salzburg made the first step. After the 4:1 win in the first game of the semifinals they aim to increase the lead in the best-of-seven-series. Since 2010 the Red Bulls qualified for the final, whenever they took the 1:0 lead in the semis (five times). The red jacket continued the negative streak in first playoff games against Salzburg after 2012, 2015 and 2016. But still the KAC played on an even level in the first game, but Salzburg had the better scoring efficiency. For the KAC it was the first defeat in the last six weeks. Thomas Raffl is quite self-confident before the second game. “Of course it is an advantage to win the first game, but it won’t get easier in Klagenfurt, it is still a long series.” But also Mike Pellegrims did his homework and is well prepared for the first home game in the semis. “We lost the first game, but we have to look forward now. We learned many things in the first game, a couple of things we already did quite well, like the penalty killing, but at other things we have room to improve. We will work on that.”

Bozen with chance to tie series infront of home crowd
The HCB Südtirol Alperia not only lost the first game, but also Brodie Reid with a cruciate ligament rupture. “Of course it is frustrating for me, but I’m convinced that my team can fight back”. After the 4:2 win on Tuesday the Caps aim to increase the lead. Assistant captain Andreas Nödl is talking about the importance of the game “The 2:0 in this series would be very important. Also Bozen had good chances to win the the first game and it would be a lot of pressure for us, if we had lost the game. We have to give again our best on the ice and play disciplined with less penalties.” The last duel of these two teams in Bozen is not in best memory for the foxes, as they had to take their only shut-out in the qualification round. The other two duel in the regular season in Italy were decided in overtime or shoot-out. With Mac Gregor Sharp, Jerry Pollastrone and Taylor Vause three players come back to their former home rink. In the first duel of this series Kelsey Tessier run hot and scored two goals and an assist. Both goals were scored in power play. The caps scored 14 out of 23 playoff goals with numeric advantage. 
 
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 2nd semi final
 
17.03. EC-KAC (3) – EC Red Bull Salzburg (2) 19:45, Servus TV live
Referees: NIKOLIC K. / SMETANA / Nemeth / Seewald
 
17.03. HCB Südtriol Alperia (6) – UPC Vienna Capitals (1) 19:45, SKY live
Referees: NIKOLIC M. / TRILAR / Rakovic / Verworner