Release from 22.02.2017

The decision is made - here are the quarterfinal duels

Short text 497 CharactersPlain text

For the fifths time in history of Erste Banke Eishockey League the top-3 teams selected their opponents for Sky Alps Hockey League. For the second time the UPC Vienna Capitals captured the first pick right and selected Innsbruck. The EC Red Bull Salzburg choose the Graz 99ers with the second pick. The EC-KAC decided to play against the HC Orli Znojmo out of the last two possible teams. The Black Wings Linz had no choice anymore and will play in the quarter finals against HCB Südtirol Alperia.

Press release 1736 CharactersPlain text

UPC Vienna Capitals (1) – HC TWK Innsbruck “die Haie” (5)
The UPC Vienna Capitals had the full selection and took an opponent of the pick-round. Against the HC TWK Innsbruck the Caps had a very positive head to head of 5:1. So for the sharks, who qualified for the playoffs for the first time, a tough opponent is waiting. The teams already played once in the quarter finals. 2007/08 the caps swept Innsbruck with 3:0.

EC Red Bull Salzburg (2) – Moser Medical Graz 99ers (7)
The Moser Medical Graz 99ers are back in the playoffs after three years of abstinence, but have to face one of the best teams. With the second pick they were chosen by EC Red Bull Salzburg. It is the only “premiere-series” in the quarter finals 2017 – these teams never played against each other in the postseason. Salzburg already played nine time in the finals, the 99ers never won a single series so far.

EC-KAC (3) – HC Orli Znojmo (8)
With the third pick the EC-KAC picked the vice champion of last season, HC Orli Znojmo. The teams already played already one quarterfinal series so far, but with opposite signs. In the season 2014/15 the HC Orli Znojmo picked the EC-KAC. Back then the KAC won as an underdog with 4:1. This series is the perfect chance for the Czechs for taking revenge. 

EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz (4) – HCB Südtirol Alperia (6)
For the third consecutive time the Black Wings will face HCB Südtirol Alperia in the quarterfinals. Both times the Black Wings won. For Bozen it is now the third try to advance against Linz, but they lost the direct duel against Linz witch 2:4 in this season. For the Black Wings it is the 11th consecutive time participating in the play offs.