Start into the first January-weekend

>EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz is still unbeaten in the year 2018.  The Upper Austrians won both games. Same managed only HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“.
>The two teams meet also on January 5th 2016 in Linz, exactly two years ago Fehervar AV19 won in the Keine Sorgen EisArena 4:3 after Overtime. But since that day the Steel Citizens had the upper hand at home three times in a row.
 >EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz leads in the season-clash 2:1. But take attention: Just ten days ago the Hungarians beat the Austrians at home 8:4.
>The Upper Austrians are the best home-team, they collected so far 41 points (14 wins) from 18 home-games and they also scored the most goals at home (74) and totally (124). The Devils on the other side were successful just 86 times from 36 games, no other team scored less goals.
>With Brett Palin (for the first time) and Olivier Latendresse two former Black Wings players will return with Fehervar AV19 to Linz.
Quotes:
„The Hungarians can become dangerous on the road and played very effective against us last time“, was to hear from Linz.
Hannu Järvenpää, Headcoach Fehervar AV19: „I would like to see improvement everywhere. In Linz, we won’t be the favourites, we can play some humble hockey, we don’t have to show anything special, and if we play like this, I believe that we have a chance.“

 

>The east-derby - Vienna Capitals (1.) vs. HC Orli Znojmo (12.) - is also the meeting of the first placed team and the last placed club.
>HC Orli Znojmo fights against their bad run on Friday at Vienna. The „Red Eagles“ lost their last six games and fall down in the ranking to the last place. Nevertheless the Czechs still have a chance to reach the Top 6 after round 44. In this moment the Czechs miss nine points or three wins for place 6, with eight games to go.
>The Vienna Capitals are already qualified for the Playoffs. The Leader won on Wednesday at Szekesfehervar 5:1 and will finish the regular season for sure in the Top 6.
>The Vienna Capitals won so far all three season-meetings with HC Orli Znojmo.
>The Vienna Capitals are the number 1 in Power Play (efficiency: 25,9%) and in Penalty Killing (efficincy: 85,5%)
Quotes:
Serge Aubin, Headcoach Vienna Capitals: „We are playing a real derby in front of our home crowd, so we have to be ready right from the start. Our players are going to have a short rest and then we will concentrate on the next match.’
Tomaz Halasz, Goalie HC Orli Znojmo: „Our confidence is low at the moment but we have to keep believing, work hard in every shift and hope that our fortune will change. It is not easy but there is no other way for us. A sloppy goal, a narrow win, something to boost our confidence and get back to winning!“

 

>Moser Medical Graz99ers signed Canadian Anthony Camara. The strong Forward started his Europe-career this season at Odense Bulldogs in Denmark and scored there 37 points (15G/22A) from 27 games. Before the 24 years old Canadian played already 191 times in the American Hockey League (51 points).
>Both teams celebrated their first win in the year 2018 on Wednesday.
>The Moser Medical Graz99ers will fight against their bad road-run on Friday at Klagenfurt. The Mur Citizens lost the last seven road-games and scored just ten goals. But take attention: The Styrians won this season already at Klagenfurt.
>The last six meetings were won by the road-team. The Carinthians got their last home-win over the 99ers on February 21st 2016 or 683 days ago.
>EC-KAC convinced at home lately. The Red Jackets got points from their last eight home-games (six wins).
Quotes:
Ramon Schnetzer, Youngster ECKAC: „Against Graz we want to play our successful hockey.“
„We want to see many goals from our new #36 Anthony Camara“, was to hear from Graz.

 

>KHL Medvescak Zagreb (7.) and EC VSV (10.) will fight for important points in the fight for a Top 6 spot and the direct Playoff Qualification after round 44. In this moment the Bears miss one point for place 6, while Villach misses six points.
>Medvescak is leading in the season-clash 2:1. Just a week ago the Bears won at Villach 8:3. The two clashes before ended with clear home-wins for Villach (6:1) and Zagreb (5:2).
>KHL Medvescak Zagreb won their last five home-games against EC VSV. On January 15th 2012 or 2.181 days ago the Eagles left Croatia the last time as the winner.
>Both teams lost on Wednesday for the first time in the year 2018.
>Tyler Morley of KHL Medvscak Zagreb is the leading scorer in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. The Canadian made already 47 points (20G/27A) from 35 games.
Quotes:
Doug Bradley, Head Coach KHL Medvescak Zagreb: „We are not allowed to give so many chances to our opponent anymore.“
Jordan Hickmott, Forward EC VSV: „We did not make our best game in our last meeting with Zagreb. On Friday we will show another face and want to take revenge!“

 

Fri, 05.01.2018: EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ (19:15)
Referees: BULOVEC, LEMELIN, Seewald, Tschrepitsch.
>Fans always get to see many goals, when EC Red Bull Salzburg (3) and HC TWK Innsbruck (5) face each other. In the first three season-clashes were scored totally 29 goals. Besides Salzburg has the best offense. The Mozart Citizens scored so far 124 goals, the Sharks were successful 114 times.
>HC TWK Innsbruck won so far both games in the year 2018. Same managed just EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz.
>Salzburg played strong at home lately. The Red Bulls won their last six home-games and received just eight goals.
>EC Red Bull Salzburg leads in the season-clash 2:1. But take attention: The Tyroleans won the last meeting ten days ago at home 4:3.
>HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ won their last three games with one goal difference. Four wins in a row the Sharks did not manage so far this season.
Quotes:
Bobby Raymond, defenseman EC Red Bull Salzburg: „„Innsbruck is playing stronger in the defense then past season and is dangerous in the offense!”.
Tyler Spurgeon, Captain HC TWK Innsbruck “Die Haie”: “Salzburg has a strong team, but we have much confidence.”

 

Referees: BERNEKER, ZRNIC, Rakovic, Schauer.
>HCB Südtirol Alperia left the last place on Wednesday. If the Foxes want to hold alive their little chance to finish Top 6 after round 44, they must win on Friday at home against Dornbirn Bulldogs. The Vorarlberger are sixth right now and eight points ahead with eight games to go. 
>The Dornbirn Bulldogs will fight for their first win in the year 2018 on Friday at Bozen. The Austrians lost their last three games. Besides only HC Orli Znojmo is without a win in January.
>The Dornbirn Bulldogs are the only Top 6 team with a negativ goal difference.
>HCB Südtirol Alperia is leading in the season-clash with 2:1. Just ten days ago the Foxes won at Dornbirn.
>Alexander Petan (HCB - 30 points – 11G/19A) at Bozen and Brodie Reid (DEC - 29 points – 9T/20A) and Matt Fraser (DEC - 29 points – 20G/9A) for Dornbirn are the best scorers of their teams.
Quotes:
Anton Bernard, player HCB Südtirol Alperia: "We must go step by step and we must play with full concentration against Dornbirn."
Stefan Häussle, Forward Dornbirn Bulldogs: “We need a good start and play our best for 60 minutes. We must bring the pucks to the net and play aggressive too. We need three points!”