Start into the Intermediate Round

The Intermediate Round starts on Friday at Znojmo. The Czechs returned on Sunday after four defeats in a row at Vienna on the winning-street and will start the Qualification Round now on Friday at home against Dornbirner EC with two bonus points. Just a few days ago Peter Pucher and Company lost at home against the Bulldogs 3:4. In the season-clash the score is 2:2: The first two meetings 2016/17 won the „Red Eagles“, lately twice the west-club was successful. The Austrians are the team of the hour, collected in January points from all seven matches (five wins). Dornbirn also signed with Drew Paris a defenseman. The teams are placed on the places 3 and 4, which means the have to overtook clubs to make the Top 2 and the Play-off. "We know that and our aim is to fix the Play-offs as soon as possible", said Jan Lattner. So far the Czechs were qualified for the Play-off all five years, 2010/11 they even made it from place 10 into the Post Season. The Bulldogs so far were in the Play-offs twice: Past season the west-club was qualified already after round 44, 2013/14 they made it from place 8 into the Play-offs. "A good start into the Qualification Round would be important. It want be easy, because we face good teams in this round, our first three opponents are ahead of us. In the last weeks the players picked up confidence. Each player knows, what is his job. The results are important now! We go to Znojmo to get three points. The Czechs play fast and technical good hockey", knows DEC-Headcoach Dave MacQueen. 

 

EC VSV starts the Qualification Round on Friday with the maximum of six bonus points. Their first opponent is HDD Olimpija Ljubljana. Last season the Eagles made if from place 7 into the Play-offs, but Villach is also one of two teams, that missed the Play-offs starting the Qualification Round 2011/12 from place 7. The other club is EC-KAC 2013/14! Against the Slovenes EC VSV won the last six home-games, including Pre-Season. Die Dragons got their last win at Villach on November 30th 2014 or 781 days ago. "We have respect. Ljubljana got strong and we want take the game lightly. We must work hard over 60 minutes and everyone must give 100%, if we want to have success“, knows Villachs Headcoach Greg Holst. Olimpija tries to get into the Play-offs for the first time since 2011/12-season. In those days the Dragons were qualified already after the first part of the regular season. This aim Ljubljana has to start without Chris Langkow, who left the team before the qualification round to Sweden.  "I'm very sorry one of our best players and our best goalscorer has left the team. We know a tough battle awaits us in Villach but we'll be ready. The way we played in last rounds against the top teams gives us lots of confidence. If we continue like that we can upset anybody. Going into the game VSV is a favorite but they'll have to prove that on the ice.", said Headcoach Bojan Zajc, who will miss four more players, because of injuries. Once - 2007/08 - Olimpija made it from the Qualification Round into the Play-offs, the last four seasons they had no success.

 

Moser Medical Graz99ers hosts Fehervar AV19 on Friday in the first round of the Qualification Round. The two teams also meet last round at Szekesfehervar, the 99ers won 5:1. In the season-clash the score is 2:2, both teams were successful once at home and once at the road. While the 99ers won four from their last five games, the Hungarians lost lately four games in a row, receiving 18 goals. The Styrians on the other side won lately at Vienna 3:1 and Szekesfehervar  5:1, receving just one goal per game. „The atmosphere in the team is good. We know, when we show our best game, then we can make the Play-offs“; said defenseman Sven Klimbacher. The 99ers missed the Post Season in the last three years. Fehervar AV19 also missed the Play-offs 2015/16, but made it twice before, inter alia 2013/14 from place 10. Mike Boivin, who played two years ago for Fehervar AV19, makes his debut for Graz. Although the Hungarians are travelling with a full team, Manavian and co. are facing a tough challenge in Graz. „We know that Graz has a very good and talented team. Their players are in a great shape and they use their physical strength very well. Doug Mason brought a lot of discipline in their game, which is why it will be a tough challenge for us to win there”, reported Head Coach Benoit Laporte before the first game in the qualification round.

 

The Pick Rund starts on Friday with the game UPC Vienna Capitals vs. EC-KAC! With the start of the Pick-Round starts also the fight for the Pick Right and home-advantage for the Quarterfinals and the fight for two places for the Champions Hockey League 2017/18. The winner and the second placed team after the Pick Round will be qualified for CHL 2017/18. The Caps lead in the season-clash 3:1, the last meeting at Vienna won Klagenfurt. „We were constant so far and we want to continue that way and we will give 100%“, said Caps Head-Coach Serge Aubin. Klagenfurt is qualified for the Play-offs for the first time since 2012/13 already after 44 rounds. „Compliment to the team for their effort“, said Head Coach Mike Pellegrims. 2013 the Red Jackets made a jump forward in the Pick Round from place 5 to 3 and then even got the title. After Friday-games Vienna stays Leader for sure.

 

EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz and HCB Südtirol Alperia have the chance to make a jump forward in the ranking on Friday. The Upper Austrians would make place 2 with a win, the Foxes with three points at Linz. Just a week ago the Austrians beat the Italians at home in Overtime and lead now in the season-clash 3:1. At Linz returns with Brian Lebler, Fabio Hofer and Brett McLean much offense power in the Line-up on Friday. The Italians made a team building event this week at Wasserkraftwerk Kardaun and then traveled to Linz „The team has heart and team spirit. We recharged  our batteries with energy for the Pick Round and Play-offs“, said HCB boss Knoll. With the Pick-Round starts the fight for the Pick-Right and home-advantage for the Quarterfinals and also two tickets for the Champions Hockey League 2017/18.

 

Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 1. Pick Round:
Fri, 20.01.2017: UPC Vienna Capitals - EC-KAC (19:15)
Referees: GRUBER, M. NIKOLIC, Seewald, Zgonc.
Fri, 20.01.2017: EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz - HCB Südtirol Alperia (19:30, SKY and video33.it live)
Referees: PIRAGIC, ZRNIC, Nagy, Soos.
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 1. Qualification Round:
Fri, 20.01.2017: HC Orli Znojmo - Dornbirner EC (18:30)
Referees: K. NIKOLIC, TRILAR, Kontschieder, Rakovic.
Fri, 20.01.2017: EC VSV - HDD Olimpija Ljubljana (19:15)
Referees: LEMELIN, STOLC, Pardatscher, Verworner.
Fri, 20.01.2017: Moser Medical Graz99ers - Fehervar AV19 (19:15)
Referees: KINCSES, SMETANA, Kaspar, Nemeth.