The Challengers won on Friday

Znojmo were in pressure from the very beginning and it was Herzog´s post, which save the visiting team from the first goal. Schwarz really did not have so much to do in the first five minutes. The biggest chance for Orli came after the Stehlík´s strong shot, but his try missed the target. On the other side of the ice rink another big moment came. Bacher forced Schwarz to show, how stretched he was. So, Villach scored from the next situation. Ryan Glenn tried to get a puck into the net and to be honest it was not a real shot, but Schwarz did not see anything and because of that the puck went into the net. Both teams had their chances, but no more goals were seen in the first period. Nothing bigger happened after the start of the second part. Picture of this period was no different from the first one. Both team had some scoring chances, but both goalkeepers were in the right place. Spectacular moment came in 28th minute as Sarauer got the puck and showed his speed. He was looking for a space near to the right post but Schwarz left no hole for the puck. Villacher was working hard to get a two-goal lead, but Schwarz had a really good day and also Herzog had some key saves. Znojmo had still the chance to catch up the score in last twenty minutes. Orli locked their opponent in the offensive zone, but without the goal effect. The home team was closest to the goal after Beroun´s action, but nobody from his teammates could find a gold rebound. Also for the rest of time Znojmo were more active, but home players were not able to find a recipe how to beat Herzog, who had 52 saves, in his cage. Orli was as much active as they forgot their defence. In the end Villacher scored the second goal as Robert Flick hit the empty net.

 

EC Red Bull Salzburg took over the control of the game at Linz from the start. The Mozart Citizens became dangerous with each attack and threatened most with their first line Brant Harris, Peter Mueller and Robert Schremp. Besides Layne Viveiros just hit the post. But the first goal was just a question of time: Finally in minute 18 Raphael Herburger scored the 1:0 from the slot. Also the first minutes after the re-start belong to the guests. But during the second period Linz finally found better into the game and reopend the match: Rick Schofield deflected a big shot from Andreas Kristler from the blue line in a Power Play (29.) - 1:1. The game was even now. But the Red Bulls answered in a Power Play, Harris scored from the slot – 2:1. In period 3 both teams defended well. The Upper Austrians took full risk in the final minutes, but couldn‘t take advantage from their attacks anymore. So EC Red Bull Salzburg won at Linz 2:1 and celebrated their seventh win in a row in December.

 

The first good chance at Klagenfurt had Riley Holzapfel for Vienna (4.). The Caps also controlled the game in the beginning, but the first (three) goals scored EC-KAC. First David Fisher was successful from the distance (9.) and gave his team some confidence. Quickly Martin Schumnig and Stefan Geier – both in Power Play - added two goals - 3:0. Now Matthias Tschrepitsch replaced JP Lamoureux in Vienna’s net. In period two the Champion came back: Jamie Fraser from the distance (22.) and Mario Fischer from the slot (26.) reduced the score - 2:3. The Caps continued to make pressure. Quickly McKiernan equalized with a big shot in a Power Play (28.). Lamoureux returned on the ice. The Leader even had the chance to turn the game, but Jerry Pollastrone missed a good chance. Then the Caps took a penalty again and Klagenfurt quickly scored the 4:3 from Manuel Ganahl. Just moments later Patrick Harand added the 5:3. Tschrepitsch returned into Vienna‘s net after the break. And the Vienna Capitals started another comeback with goals from Schneider and Holzapfel – 5:5. But Klagenfurt had once again an answer, Lundmark was successful from a rebound - 6:5. Vienna did not give up, but Kyle Klubertanz just hit the post. In the final minute Steven Strong decided the game for EC-KAC with an empty net goal.

 

HCB Alperia Südtirol started perfect into the game against Moser Medical Graz99ers. The Foxes quickly took the lead in a Power Play, Oleksuk scored from a rebound after a shot from Miceli. The Styrians stayed unimpressed and had more from the game then, but Pekka Tuokkola stopped Nixon, Brophey, Higgs and Buzzeo from scoring. The Italians on the other side stayed dangerous from counter-attacks. Also period 2 started good for Bozen: Frigo finished a perfect pass from Gander with much speed into the upper corner – 2:0. Now the Italians got the momentum. Petan, Angelidis, Sointu, Frigo (solo) and Tomassoni (post) came close to add another goal, while Pekka Tuokkola stopped Oliver Setzinger from scoring. While the Mur Citizens stayed unlucky in a Power Play in period 3, the Foxes were successful in a Power Play: After a great pass from Monardo Angelidis added the 3:0 from the slot. In the final minutes the Italians defended their lead. Tuokkola was not to beat, Markus Gander even finished a nice combination for the 4:0.

 

Fri, 22.12.2017: HCB Südtirol Alperia – Moser Medical Graz99ers 4:0 (1:0,1:0, 2:0)
Referees: LEMELIN, NIKOLIC; spectators: 2.730
Goals HCB: Travis Oleksuk (4./pp), Luca Frigo (22.), Mike Angelidis (49./pp),
Fri, 22.12.2017: EC-KAC - Vienna Capitals 7:5 (3:0, 2:3, 2:2)
Referees: KINCSES, PIRAGIC; spectators: 4.109
Goals KAC: David Fisher (9. Min.), Martin Schumnig (12. Min., PP1), Stefan Geier (15., PP2, 35. Min.), Manuel Ganahl (34. Min, PP1.), Jamie Lundmark (48. Min., PP1), Steven Strong (60. Min., EN)
Goals Caps: Jamie Fraser (22. Min.), Mario Fischer (26. Min.), Ryan McKiernan (28. Min., PP1), Peter Schneider (44. Min.), Riley Holzapfel (46. Min., PP1)
Fri, 22.12.2017: EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz – EC Red Bull Salzburg 1:2 (0:1, 1:1, 0:0)
Referees: GRUBER, K. NIKOLIC; spctators: 4.865
Goal Linz: Schofield (29./pp)
Goals Salzburg: Herburger (18.), Harris (35./pp)
Fri, 22.12.2017: HC Orli Znojmo – EC VSV 0:2 (0:1,0:0,0:1)
Referees: BABIC, TRILAR; spectators: 2.560
Goals VSV: Glenn (9.), Flick (60./EN)