Release from 01.11.2018
Fri, 02.11.2018: Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. spusu Vienna Capitals (19:15)
Referees: BALUSKA, SIEGEL, Bärnthaler, Zgonc.
• Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. Leader spusu Vienna Capitals is the meeting of the best teams in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga: The Caps have already earned 35 points (twelve wins) out of 15 games and are in the leading position, while the Styrians got 31 points (eleven wins) so far and are ranked on place 2.
• The two teams have shown different faces lately: While the Styrians won six out of their last seven matches, the Capitals have lost three straight games. The 99ers have been successful in Znojmo (4:0) lately, while the Caps have been defeated by HCB Südtirol Alperia at home on Tuesday (1:4).
• The Mur Citizens have been convincing at home so far! Oliver Setzinger and Co. have won all (six) home-games so far.
• The brothers Andre Lakos (G99) and Philippe Lakos (Vienna) will face each other in the top-clash in Graz on Friday as well.
• spusu Vienna Capitals player Rafael Rotter has announced the end of his national team career during this week.
Quotes:
Taylor Vause, forward spusu Vienna Capitals: „We are looking forward to a big fight in Graz on Friday. Each team is specially motivated against us and tries to beat the Leader. After three consecutive defeats, we have to return to our successful game.“
„We are looking forward to a difficult game, which we would like to finish with a success. The Caps have been defeated in three straight games and this fact makes the Leader even more dangerous. Besides, they are one of the best teams in the League“, was to hear from Graz.
Fri, 02.11.2018: EC-KAC vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg (19:15, SKY Sport HD live)
Referees: K. NIKOLIC, STOLC, Nothegger, Schauer.
• EC-KAC vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg is the meeting between the best defense and the best offense. While Klagenfurt has allowed just 27 goals so far, Salzburg has already potted 69 goals during this season.
• Each team has had a good run lately: While EC Red Bull Salzburg has been successful in five consecutive matches, the „Red Jackets“ have earned points out of six straight games (four wins).
• Thomas Koch (KAC) and John Hughes (RBS) have the chance to write history. Each forward has the opportunity to score as the first player in the EBELhistory his 500th Assist. Hughes has scored 499 Assists so far, Koch 497. Besides, Koch is missing just one goal for the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga-record on goals (255), which has been set by Mike Craig.
• The Mozart Citizens will travel with good memories to Klagenfurt. The Red Bulls have won three straight games in the Carinthian Capital. But, watch out: Klagenfurt has won the first season-meeting in Salzburg.
• EC-KAC has collected fewest PIM (120) so far.
Quotes:
Adam Comrie, defender EC-KAC: „The Red Bulls have been on fire lately. But, we are having a strong defense and want to be more explosive in the offense too!“
Peter Hochkofler, forward EC Red Bull Salzburg: „We want to be a strong offensive team, but we want to allow few goals as well. We need a strong defense in Klagenfurt and we want to play aggressiv in their building as well.“
Fri, 02.11.2018: KHL Medvescak Zagreb vs. EC Panaceo VSV (19:15)
Referees: BABIC, M. NIKOLIC, Nemeth, Tschrepitsch.
• KHL Medvescak Zagreb vs. EC Panaceo VSV is the meeting of two neighbours in the standing. The Croatians got 13 points (four wins) out of 14 games so far and are ranked on place 10, while Villach has collected 12 points (five wins) out of 15 games and is ranked on place 11.
• Each club will try to end bad runs: While the Croatians stayed without points in three straight games, Villach has even been defeated in six straight matches. Besides, the blue and white Eagles are the only team without road-points so far…
• The Croatians will try to extend their strong home-record against EC Panaceo VSV. In the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, the Bears have left the ice as the winner in five straight home-meetings with the Eagles. The Drau Citizens have earned their last victory in Croatia on January 15th 2012 or 2.482 days ago!
• EC Panaceo VSV has collected most PIM (258) so far.
• Sondre Olden (MZA - 4G/7A) and Jerry Pollastrone (VSV - 9G/4A) are the best scorers in their team.
Quotes:
Jordan Samuels-Thomas, forward KHL Medvescak Zagreb: „We want to return on the winning-street. We have to play on a high level all 60 minutes, then we can be successful at home. Our fans are great and will help as too.“
Corey Trivino, forward EC Panaceo VSV: "We have to look forward and earn as much points as possible prior the start of the break!"
Fri, 02.11.2018: HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz (19:45)
Referees: BERNEKER, PIRAGIC, Rezek, Sparer.
• HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz is the meeting of the best clubs in Penalty Killing. The Black Wings have a PK% of 88,7, Bozen of 83.
• The Black Wings had a good run lately: Since the arrival of US-forward Mike Davies (6 points - 3G/3A – out of three games), the Upper Austrians have won all three games after allowing goals first. On the other hand, Bozen had an up and down in their last five games. Lately, the Foxes won in Vienna (4:1).
• The team playing on the road has been successful in two consecutive meetings. Bozen has won the first season-meeting in Linz after Shoot Out.
• HCB Südtirol Alperia has earned more points on the road (18) then in their own building (12) so far.
• Mike Blunden (11G/10A) and Brett Findlay (2G/19A) have scored most points for Bozen, Corey Locke (7G/7A) most points for the Steel Citizens.
Quotes:
Mike Blunden, forward HCB Südtirol Alperia: „It’s positive for us having some home-games now. We have the support from our fans!“
Dragan Umicevic, forward EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: „We have shown character and effort in the last games and got the wins!“
Sat, 03.11.2018: HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ vs. Fehervar AV19 (17:30)
Referees: BERNEKER, PIRAGIC, Rezek, Sparer.
• HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ and Fehervar AV19 will be in action twice within 24 hours this weekend. After facing each other on Saturday, the Sharks will travel to Villach on Sunday and the Hungarians will continue their road-trip in Bozen on Sunday.
• Fehervar AV19 will start with confidence their road-trip to North- and South Tyrol. The Devils have earned wins against the top-teams from Vienna and Klagenfurt lately. Besides, the Hungarians have been successful in two straight meetings with HCI. Innsbruck has lost against Linz at home lately.
• The two clubs are neighbours in the standing: Innsbruck has earned 18 points (six wins) out of 15 games so far and is ranked on place 9. Fehervar AV19 has collected 19 points (seven wins) out of 15 matches and is ranked on place 8.
• The two teams - HCI (60) and AVS (59) - have allowed most goals so far.
• Innsbruck has decided to split ways with Try Out defenseman Jonathan Carlsson.
Quotes:
Norbert Ried, board member HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“: „We decided to trust in our proven defensemen with the return of Sacha Guimond!“
Hannu Järvenpää, Headcoach Fehervar AV19: „I do have to be pleased with our effort in our defense zone against Klagenfurt. This game and also a match against Vienna gives me and the team hope we can also be competitive on Saturday in Innsbruck and also on Sunday in Bolzano. Both teams showed that they are good teams, that is why we have to be sharp from the beginning, stay humble and work hard for 60 minutes against them!“
Sat, 03.11.2018: KHL Medvescak Zagreb vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg (17:30)
Referees: GRUBER, M. NIKOLIC, Nedeljkovic, Tschrepitsch.
• KHL Medvescak Zagreb and EC Red Bull Salzburg will be in action for the second time within just 24 hours in Zagreb on Saturday. Prior, the Croations will welcome EC Panaceo VSV on Friday and the Red Bulls will be guest in Klagenfurt on Allerseelen.
• Neither team could get two straight wins in seven consecutive meetings: If this series continues (RBS/MZA/RBS/MZA/RBS/MZA/RBS) in Zagreb on Saturday then the Bears must earn the victory.
• EC Red Bull Salzburg will play their last match prior the big Champions Hockey League game in Rouen.
• The Bears will play their last home-game for nearly 3 weeks! After EC Red Bull Salzburg, Fehervar AV19 will arrive in Dom Sportova on November 20th 2018.
• KHL Medvescak Zagreb has the oldest and most experience team (Ø: 27,52 years old) in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, while EC Red Bull Salzburg Captain Matthias Trattnig is with 39 years and 193 days the oldest player in the League.
Sat, 03.11.2018: HC Orli Znojmo – Dornbirn Bulldogs (17:30!!!)
Referees: KELLNER, SMETANA, Gatol, Nagy.
• HC Orli Znojmo and Dornbirn Bulldogs will be in action twice within 24 hours this weekend. After fighting for points against each other, the Czechs will play the east-derby in Vienna on Sunday and the Vorarlberger will be guest in Linz.
• The two teams have shown different faces lately: While the Czechs have been defeated in two straight games, the Austrians have earned two straight wins.
• The Bulldogs will fight against their bad road-run this weekend: The team of Head Coach Dave MacQueen has been defeated in three straight road-games.
• The Vorarlberger will travel with good memories to Czech Republic. The West-Austrians have won two straight games in Znojmo. But watch out: The bottom-club has won the first season-clash in Dornbirn (3:0).
• Radek Cip will return with the Dornbirn Bulldogs for the first time to Znojmo. The 26-year old forward went for goals for the Czechs from 2014 until 2018.
Quotes:
Patrik Novak, player HC Orli Znojmo: „Most recently, the team has fallen apart, when allowing a goal.We have to improve defensively and our Power Play has to increase as well. We need a home-win against Dornbirn.“
Thomas Vallant, defenseman Dornbirn Bulldogs reports: „Things, that did not work that well prior we do better now: We win the duels, we stop the opponent with a solid defense work and we have scored from our chances as well.”