Release from 21.02.2019
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 4. Pick Round:
Fri, 22.02.2019: Fehervar AV19 vs. spusu Vienna Capitals (18:00, DIGI Sport live)
Referees: BALUSKA, SIEGEL, Hribar, Rezek.
• Fehervar AV19 and spusu Vienna Capitals will open the fourth Intermediate Round in Szekesfehervar on Friday (18:00). The Pick Round match is broadcasted live by DIGI Sport: The two teams have shown different faces in the Intermediate Round so far: While Vienna has won all three games and has allowed fewest goals (3), the Hungarians stayed without points and have given away most goals (14).
• The team having home-advantage has left the ice as the winner in all four season-clashes so far. The Capitals have earned their last win in Hungary on January 3rd 2018 or 413 days ago.
• Each team is led in the scoring statistics by a home-player: Hungarian Janos Hari has scored most points (62 – 21G/41A) for Fehervar AV19 so far, while Austrian Peter Schneider has scored most points (61 – 29G/32A) for the Capitals. Just Innsbrucks Andrew Clark has collected more points (65).
• Fehervar AV19 has the best scoring% (12.67%). The Hungarians have already potted 172 goals out of 1.358 shots on net. But, watch out: The Devils have netted just six goals out of three matches in the Pick Round so far. The Caps have already potted 173 goals 2018/19, but they had 1.814 shots and therefore, they have a scoring% of just 9.54%. In the Pick Round, the Caps potted eleven goals so far.
• Fehervar AV19’s Csanad Erdely and Cap Taylor Vause have potted at least one goal in two straight meetings.
Quotes:
Andrew Sarauer, forward Fehervar AV19: „The Intermediate Round hasn’t started as expected for us. But, we faced with strong opponents and the games could have gone the other way as well. We want to return on the winning-street against Vienna. We need to play with speed and with discipline in all areas!“
Marc Andre Dorion, defenseman spusu Vienna Capitals: „Each game in this Pick Round is a competition. We face the best teams. Fehervar AV19 has zero points so far. But, they are a dangerous team and they have shown their qualities during the season. We have to show our best game!“
Fri, 22.02.2019: EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia (19:15)
Referees: KELLNER, STOLC, Bärnthaler, Kontschieder.
• EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. HCB Südtirol Alperia is the meeting of two neighbours in the standing. The Mozart Citizens have two points and are ranked on place 5 in the Pick Round, while HCB has already collected three points and is ranked on place 4. Therefore, for each team the game is important in the fight for place 4 and home-advantage in the Quarterfinals.
• EC Red Bull Salzburg will try to end their bad run against the Foxes at home on Friday: The Austrians have been defeated in all five games in Februay and have allowed 23 goals, during that span. But, watch out: HCB Südtirol Alperia has had problems on the road lately too: The Italians have been defeated in all three road-games in Szekesfehervar (1:5), Villach (4:6) and Vienna (0:4) during this month, allowing 15 goals.
• EC Red Bull Salzburg will welcome the Champion with good memories. The Austrians have won three straight meetings with the Foxes (8:4, 4:2, 4:2), netting 16 goals in total.
• EC Red Bull Salzburg is better ranked then HCB in all special statistics (Power Play, Penalty Killing, Fair Play and scoring efficiency). Besides, Salzburg has potted most goals (186). Michael Schiechl and Co. are even the best team in Penalty Killing (PK%: 86.1)
• Salzburg’s John Hughes (54 points – 16G/38A) and Bozen’s Brett Findlay (48 points – 10G/38A) are their teams best scorers.
Quotes:
Alexander Rauchenwald, forward EC Red Bull Salzburg: „We want to show another face and we want to get the first win in the Pick Round with the help from our fans and by applying pressure on our opponent.“
Alex Petan, forward HCB Südtirol Alperia: „We want to carry the momentum from the win against Fehervar AV19 into the game in Salzburg. We have to play as a team again. We all know the ranking and how important this weekend is for us in the fight for home-advantage. We will be ready.“
Fri, 22.02.2019: EC-KAC vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers (19:15)
Referees: GARON, GRUBER, Seewald, Zgonc.
• EC-KAC (3.) vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers (1.) is the meeting of the two best offensive teams of the Pick Round. Klagenfurt has potted eleven goals out of three Intermediate Round games so far and the 99ers have even netted 13 goals so far. Klagenfurt‘s Nick Petersen (60 points – 24G/36A) and 99ers Colton Yellow Horn (53 points – 23G/30A) are their teams best scorers.
• The Moser Medial Graz99ers are the team of the hour: The Styrians have won seven consecutive games, are top on the road as well, they have won nine straight road-games… Besides, the 99ers were successful in five straight meetings with EC-KAC and they won their last six games in Klagenfurt.
• But watch out: EC-KAC has allowed fewest goals so far (103). Besides, goalie Lars Haugen has the best save% (92.8) GAA: (1.78) and has celebrated most Shut Outs (4) too. On the other hand, the 99ers have potted second most goals (183).
• Moser Medical Graz99ers are the best team in Power Play. The Mur Citizens have already potted 44 goals out of 162 Power Plays (PP%: 27.2).
Quotes:
Marco Richter, forward EC-KAC: „We have to play a solid game over 60 minutes and we have to be successful from our Special Units too.“
Dominik Grafenthin, player Moser Medical Graz99ers: „We want to defend the top position with three points. But, we all know, that games are never easy in Klagenfurt. But, when we play, as we did in the last games there, then we will have success again. We will be ready and everbody will give 100% as in each game.“
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 4. Qualification Round
Fri, 22.02.2019: Dornbirn Bulldogs vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz (19:15, SKY Sport 5 HD live)
Referees: K. NIKOLIC, M. NIKOLIC, Schauer, Tschrepitsch.
• Dornbirn Bulldogs vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz is the meeting of two neighbours in the standing on Friday. The Austrian clash is broadcasted live by SKY Sport 5 HD. The Vorarlberger have four points so far and are ranked on place 3 in the Qualification Round, while the Upper Austrians have already nine points and are ranked on place 2. This means, the Upper Austrians could make a big step to the Playoffs, when earning three points.
• The team having home-advantage has left the ice as the winner in five straight contests.
• The Black Wings will try to end their bad road-run in Dornbirn on Friday. The Upper Austrians have lost four straight road-matches in Graz (1:5), Salzburg (1:6), Bozen (3:4) and Villach (2:5), allowing a score of 7:20.
• DEC builds his hopes on the League’s best goal-scorer Brendan O’Donnell. The forward has already potted 32 goals out of 39 games. Brian Lebler has netted most goals (23) for Linz.
• The Black Wings have the second best Power Play and Penalty Killing.
Quotes:
Thomas Vallant, defenseman Dornbirn Bulldogs: „Each team is a key-game in the Qualification Round. Linz is playing very compct. Each player has to give 100%!“
Bracken Kearns, player EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: „We doing better and better, but certainly there are always little things to improve!“
Fri, 22.02.2019: HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ vs. EC Panaceo VSV (19:15)
Referees: SMETANA, STERNAT, Basso, Pardatscher.
• HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ vs. EC Panaceo VSV is the bottom clash. The Sharks have fewest points in the Qualification Round (2), the Eagles second fewest points (3). Each team must win in the fight for a Playoff ticket.
• Each team will try to end bad runs. Innsbruck has lost all (five) games in February so far, while Villach has been defeated in five straight road-games.
• HCI will welcome Villach with good memories. The Tyroleans have won seven straight meetings with the Carinthians.
• The Tyroleans are better ranked then Villach in all special statistics (Power Play, Penalty Killing, scoring efficiency and Fair Play).
• The Sharks build their hopes on the Leagues best scorer Andrew Clark (65 points) and the Leagues second best goal scorer Andrew Yogan (30 goals).
Quotes:
Gerhard Unterluggauer, Headcoach EC Panaceo VSV: „For us the game is another "final". We need to get in rythm as soon as possible and we have to play our game then for all 60 minutes!“
Rob Pallin, Headcoach HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“: „We are still in the race for the Playoffs and we will fight to make the Post Season. For us the game is a "final" and we will fight for the three points!“