Release from 18.12.2019
Five games are scheduled in Alps Hockey League within the next two days, with the second Slovenian Derby between HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice and HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana taking place in the Športni Park Podmežakla as this week’s highlight. Further, three bottom-placed clashes are coming up and the Red Bull Hockey Juniors aims the fifth straight win.
Th, 19.12.2019, 7.00 pm: Vienna Capitals Silver – EC Bregenzerwald
Referees: FICHTNER, LEHNER, Kainberger, Legat.
In a duel of two bottom-placed teams – each having 18 points – the Vienna Capitals Silver hosts EC Bregenzerwald on Thursday, heading into the second of their third consecutive home-game. On Tuesday, the Alps Hockey League newcomer suffered its fifth straight defeat (3:5 to Kitzbühel). Prior to that losing streak, the Viennese faced upcoming opponent EC Bregenzerwald, taking a 5:4 shootout-win in the first season meeting, after trailing 1:4 with one period left. The Vorarlberg side hits the road after a tight 4:3 home-win against Kitzbühel. Both teams basically convinced on home-ice, grabbing 15 out of 18 points in their rink. The “Wälder” got their first road-win of the season two weeks ago at Cortina.
- Losing-Streak VCV: 5
- H2H AHL: 1:0
Th, 19.12.2019, 7.15 pm: Red Bull Hockey Juniors – EK Die Zeller Eisbären
Referees: DURCHNER, FAJDIGA, Bedynek, Snoj.
The Red Bull Hockey Juniors want to make it five in a row, when they meet EK Die Zeller Eisbären in the Salzburg Derby on Thursday. With 30 goals scored out of the last four games – including huge wins against both Slovenian teams – the “Juniors” showed their offensive potential, having the fifth best goal-difference of the league (+25). Thanks to four straight, last years quarterfinalist trails only four points to the “polar bears”, which arrive after two consecutive defeats. Further, the “Red Bulls” have an impressive winning streak against Zell am See available, snatching up six straight. The hosts turned the first season-meeting after trailing 0:1 early in a final 4:1 win. Despite Salzburg’s form curve points upwards, they still struggle on PP (15,1% | #16) and PK (69,9% | #17).
- Winning-Streak RBJ: 4
- Losing-Streak EKZ: 2
- H2H AHL: 6:3 (RBJ)
Th, 19.12.2019, 7.30 pm: EC “Die Adler” Stadtwerke Kitzbühel – EC-KAC II
Referees: GIACOMOZZI F., LEGA, De Zordo, Pace.
The game between EC “Die Adler” Stadtwerke Kitzbühel against EC-KAC II rounds off Thursday’s gameday in Alps Hockey League. While the Tyrolese got a win, the Carinthians had to take a defeat on Tuesday. Both need a win to stay in touch to the midfield of the table, with Kitzbühel placed 14th (22 points) and Klagenfurt ranked 15th (20 points). While the eagles grabbed only one home-win out of the past six games, the farmteam of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga champion did not book a road-win within the past three month. Kitzbühel won the first season-meeting 3:2 OT, after trailing 0:2 in the first. In Alps Hockey League history, the “eagles” never lost to Klagenfurt on home-ice.
- Winning-Streak KEC: 1
- Losing-Streak KA2: 1
- H2H AHL: 8:1 (KEC)
Fr, 20.12.2019, 7.00 pm: HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice – HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana
Referees: RUETZ, SUPPER, Rinker, Schweighofer.
On Friday, the second Slovenian Derby is scheduled, as HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice welcomes HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana. In the first season clash the reigning champion took a 4:3 shootout-win, after trailing twice by one goal. Both teams played only one game during December in Alps Hockey League. While the “dragons” won in Klagenfurt, Jesenice let slip away a two-goal lead losing to the Red Bull Hockey Juniors 3:4 after overtime. Ljubljana has the chance to retake the lead in standings, while 13th placed Jesenice needs three points to connect to the midfield of the table. With only losing three out of ten, the “dragons” are the second-best Alps Hockey League team on the road. In the past both teams met 15 times in AHL, as Ljubljana won five straight. While both teams have to improve on PP, Ljubljana has the best PK (87,1%) available among all teams.
- Losing-Streak JES: 3
- Winning-Streak HKO: 1
- H2H AHL: 9:6 (JES)
Fr, 20.12.2019, 7.00 pm: Steel Wings Linz – EC Bregenzerwald
Referees: LENDL, OREL, Schonaklener, Weiss.
After Thursday’s game in Vienna, the EC Bregenzerwald stops by at Steel Wings Linz to complete another road-trip in Alps Hockey League in the duel of both bottom placed teams. While the guests sitting on 17th spot, having 18 points, league newcomer Steel Wings Linz achieved only three points so far. The “Wälder” won the first season-meeting in October 7:2. During the last gamedays Bregenzerwald’s form curve points upwards, as they won two out of three, getting points in three out of the last five games. Linz still waits for its second season-win since October 5th in the home-game against Cortina. While the Steel Wings are the weakest team on PP (11,5%) among all teams, Bregenzerwald has the weakest PK available (62,3%).
- Losing-Streak SWL: 16
- Winning-Streak ECB: 1
- H2H AHL: 0:1 (ECB)
Fotocredit: (c) Eva Brili Grebenar