Release from 23.03.2022

Straight to the semifinals without a break

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Only since Tuesday evening the two semifinal pairings of the win2day ICE Hockey League are fixed. Less than 48 hours later, the teams are already facing each other on the ice to open the next "best-of-seven" series. In each case, a rested team, which was able to decide its quarterfinal series in four games, will meet clubs that are in the middle of the game rhythm, as they went the full distance in the quarterfinals.

The match between EC Red Bull Salzburg and the spusu Vienna Capitals will be broadcast LIVE on PULS 24. The pay-per-view livestream will feature the semifinal premiere of Hydro Fehérvár AV19 as guests of EC Grand Immo VSV.

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win2day ICE Hockey League | 24.03.2022 | Semifinal 1:

Thu, 24.03.2022, 19.15: EC GRAND Immo VSV - Hydro Fehervar AV19
Referees: HRONSKY, SMETANA, Gatol, Zgonc | PPV-Livetream

For the first time EC Grand Immo VSV will face Hydro Fehérvár AV19 in a playoff series. While the Hungarians celebrate their semifinal premiere on Thursday in Villach, the Eagles are already among the last four teams for the 11th time. The road to get there was a rough one, however, as HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana challenged the runners-up of the basic round over seven games. Although the Slovenians averaged four goals in the seven games, the Carinthians managed to advance with an even higher goal average (4.7). VSV has won six of its previous ten semifinal series. Their last appearance in the final series was 15 years ago - they failed to advance in the last three semifinal series.

Hydro Fehérvár AV19 had less trouble in the quarterfinals than their better-placed semifinal opponent. The Hungarians beat HC Pustertal 4-0 in the "best-of-seven" series and sealed their first ICE semifinal appearance in club history. The Hungarians also impressed with offensive power and even scored more goals on average per quarterfinal game than Villach (6 per game). So everything is set for another high-scoring series

Fehérvár AV19 has had the upper hand in three of the four meetings this season. Only in the last duel in February - the only comparison in this calendar year - the Eagles prevailed 5:3. Especially Scott Kosmachuk shone with a hat trick.

Thu, 24.03.2022, 19.45: EC Red Bull Salzburg - spusu Vienna Capitals
Referees: BERNEKER, NIKOLIC M, Nothegger, Seewald | LIVE ON PULS 24

Both EC Red Bull Salzburg and spusu Vienna Capitals are in the semi-finals of the multinational ICE Hockey League for the 15th time. Favorites in this series are undoubtedly the Salzburgers, who dominated the regular season and recorded a smooth sweep against HC Tesla Orli Znojmo in the quarterfinals. But the Viennese proved what they can do with their backs against the wall on Tuesday, when they dethroned the reigning champions with a team decimated by Corona. The Caps will also have to reckon with numerous absences for the Semifinal opener on Thursday.

Eight playoff series - including seven in the semifinals - have already been played between these two teams. In six of the eight series, the Red Bulls retained the upper hand. The last time Salzburg and Vienna faced each other was in the 2019 semifinals. That was one of the two series Vienna managed to win - but needed the full distance of seven games to do so. Both teams have been regulars in the semifinals in recent years. While the Caps are among the last four teams for the fifth time in a row, Salzburg is even one step away from the final for the ninth time in a row. Only in their debut season in 2004/05 and in the 2011/12 season did the Salzburgers fail to reach the semifinals.

In the current season, the Red Bulls prevailed in three of four games against Vienna - two of which, however, were decided only in overtime or shootout. In the Caps' only win, the current playoff top scorer for the Viennese, Niki Hartl initiated the turnaround after being down 0:2. Hartl scored in four of seven quarterfinal games against the KAC, making him, along with Nicolai Meyer, the most prolific scorer for Vienna in the postseason.

The game will be broadcast LIVE on PULS 24.