Release from 06.12.2018
4 facts prior Friday and Saturday games:
1. The match HC Orli Znojmo vs. Leader EC-KAC is broadcasted live by SKY Sport HD and SPORT5 on Friday.
2. KHL Medvescak Zagreb hasn’t won in Vienna since the 2012/13-season and the Moser Medical Graz99ers haven’t won in Salzburg since the 2012/13-season too.
3. The top 3 – Leader EC-KAC, Moser Medical Graz99ers (2.) and spusu Vienna Capitals (3) - are involved into the fight for place 1 on Friday.
4. spusu Vienna Capitals and Dornbirn Bulldogs will play two games within 24 hours on Friday and Saturday.
Fri, 07.12.2018: Fehervar AV19 vs. Dornbirn Bulldogs (18:45)
Referees: BALUSKA, SIEGEL, Rezek, Zgonc.
• Fehervar AV19 vs. Dornbirn Bulldogs is the meeting of two neighbours in the standing. The Austrians have collected 32 points (ten wins) out of 25 games so far and are ranked on place 9. The Hungarians got 31 points (eleven wins) out of 25 matches and are ranked on place 10.
• Fehervar AV19 has been convincing at home lately: The Hungarians have earned points out of five straight home-games (four wins) since end of October. Among other games, the Devils have beaten Dornbirn Bulldogs 3:2 during that span. But, watch out: The West-Austrians have been successful twice lately, scoring eleven goals within just 120 minutes. The Bulldogs have beaten KHL Medvescak Zagreb (6:4) and HC Orli Znojmo (5:4).
• The last eight meetings between Fehervar AV19 and Dornbirn Bulldogs have been decided by just one goal difference. The Devils have had the better end in three straight clashes. Besides, Dornbirn Bulldogs got their last victory in Hungary on February 15th 2017 or 659 days ago (8:2).
• Dornbirn Bulldogs have been convincing in Power Play situations lately: The Vorarlberger have netted nine Power Play goals during the last three rounds, three Power Play goals in each game!
• The Dornbirn Bulldogs will play two games within just 24 hours. The West-Austrians visit Szekesfehervar on Friday and Vienna on Saturday.
Quotes
Hannu Järvenpää, Head Coach Fehervar AV19: „The team will show another face then we did in Salzburg!“
Stefan Häussle, forward Dornbirn Bulldogs: „Our Head Coach has preparted us well for the game. We must score enough goals again, to get the three points!“
Fri, 07.12.2018: HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz (19:15)
Referees: PIRAGIC, SMETANA, Kontschieder, Nedeljkovic.
• HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ will welcome the team of the hour, EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz, on Friday. The Upper Austrians have won five straight games and have allowed fewest goals (7) during that span too. But, watch out: The Tyroleans have won two consecutive home-games vs. spusu Vienna Capitals (4:3/SO) and bottom club EC Panaceo VSV (7:3).
• The club playing on the road has been successful in the first two season-meetings. Besides, the winning team has netted exacly four goals in four straight clashes.
• Innsbrucks Andrew Clark has potted at least one goal in three consecutive meetings with the Steel Citizens. On the other side, Black Wing Brian Lebler has netted at least one goal in both season-meetings so far as well.
• The Special Units of each team have been convincing so far: The Black Wings have the best Penalty Killing in the League (PK%: 89.1), while the Tyroleans have potted most Power Play goals (29) and the best scoring efficiency (Scoring%: 13.04).
• The Leagues best scorers Andrew Clark (HCI, 39 points - 13G/26A) and Andrew Yogan (HCI, 34 points – 20G/14A) and the Leagues best goalie, David Kickert (BWL - Save%: 93.4), will face each other.
Quotes
Rob Pallin, Head Coach HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“: „Linz has a strong team and is among the favorites winning the title. The Upper Austrians needed some time to start running. We are looking forward to a difficult game!“
Marco Brucker, forward EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: „We are getting better and better as a team!“
Fri, 07.12.2018: EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers (19:15)
Referees: BULOVEC, DIPIETRO, Hribar, Seewald.
• EC Red Bull Salzburg rocks Europe. The Mozart Citizens have beaten Kärpät Oulu (FIN) in the Champions Hockey League Quarterfinals on Tuesday (3:2). Already on Friday, the team of Head Coach Greg Poss is in action in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga again and will face Moser Medical Graz99ers at home.
• The Red Bulls will welcome the Moser Medical Graz99ers with good memories. Matthias Trattnig and Company have won 15 consecutive home-games against the Styrians. The Mur Citizens have earned their last victory in Salzburg on November 16th 2012 or 2.211 days ago.
• EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. Moser Medical Graz99ers is the meeting of the best offensive teams: The Vice-Champion has netted 103 goals so far, the 99ers have already potted 93 goals. Ryan Duncan (11), Dustin Gazley (9) and Dominique Heinrich (9) have potted most goals for Salzburg, Colton Yellow Horn (13), Ty Loney (11), Matt Caito (11) and Daniel Oberkofler (10) have been most dangerous for the 99ers so far.
• EC Red Bull Salzburg has been convincing lately: Thomas Raffl and Co. have won four straight Erste Bank Eishockey Liga-games, scoring 22 goals! But, watch out: The Austrian Champion earned their last defeat in Graz on November 18th 2018.
• Moser Medical Graz99ers are the best team in Power Play. The Styrians have netted 26 goals out of 89 Power Plays (PP%: 29,2%).
Quotes
Alexander Rauchenwald, forward EC Red Bull Salzburg: „The 99ers are playing similar hockey as Kärpät Oulu. The 99ers are applying pressure on their opponent, they have big players and they play a fast game. But, we need three points, because they are ahead of us.“
Daniel Natter, forward Moser Medical Graz99ers: „We are looking forward to a difficult match. The Red Bulls have beaten Fins in the CHL lately. Nevertheless, we will give our best to get the points!“
Fri, 07.12.2018: spusu Vienna Capitals vs. KHL Medvescak Zagreb (19:15)
Referees: KINCSES, K. NIKOLIC, Soos, Tschrepitsch.
• spusu Vienna Capitals will play two home-games within 24 hours this weekend. Riley Holzapfel and Co. will welcome KHL Medvescak Zagreb on Friday (19:15) and Dornbirn Bulldogs on Saturday.
• The Capitals will welcome KHL Medvescak Zagreb with good memories. The Austrians have won seven straight meetings with the Bears. Furthermore, Medvescak has earned their last win in in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga in Vienna on February 13th 2013 or 2.122 days ago.
• The two clubs have shown different faces lately: While the Austrians have been successful in three straight home-games, the Croatians have had problems on the road lately: The team of Head Coach Aaron Fox has been defeated in six straight road-games.
• Assistant Coach Marcel Rodman has left Zagreb and started a new challenge as the Head Coach in Jesenice.
• KHL Medvescak Zagreb has earned fewest PIM so far. In all other special statistics (Power Play, Penalty Killing, scoring efficiency and numbers of viewers), Vienna is ahead of Zagreb right now.
Quotes:
Mario Fischer, forward spusu Vienna Capitals: „We are looking forward to an intense weekend with two games within just 24 hours. We have to play concentrated, solid defense and we have to take advantage from our chances too!“
Aaron Fox, Head Coach KHL Medvescak Zagreb: „We wish Marcel Rodman all the best in Jesenice. We will give our best to return on the winning street!“
Fri, 07.12.2018: HC Orli Znojmo vs. EC-KAC (19:15, SKY Sport HD and SPORT5 live)
Referees: BERNEKER, STOLC, Nagy, Nemeth.
• The match HC Orli Znojmo vs. Leader EC-KAC is broadcasted live by SKY Sport HD and SPORT5 on Friday.
• HC Orli Znojmo vs. Leader EC-KAC is the meeting of the two best teams of the month November 2018. Klagenfurt got 21 points (seven wins) out of nine matches and the Czechs 18 points (six victories) out of eight games during that span. Besides, each team has started with three points into the month December too.
• The team having home-advantage has been successful in four straight meetings. EC-KAC got their last victory in Znojmo on November 2nd 2017.
• EC-KAC has played strong defense so far. The Red Jackets have allowed fewest goals in total (51) and on the road (26) as well.
• HC Orli Znojmo has signed Finish defenseman Mikko Vainonen during this week. The 24-year old Fin has played for Vaasan Sport lately and has experience from playing overseas (DEL, OHL, ECHL and AHL) as well. The Fin was drafted by the Nashville Predators in round 4 2012.
Quotes:
Miroslav Frycer, Head Coach HC Orli Znojmo: „The game against KAC will be unique. Special jerseys, new player in our team, most importantly a tough opponent. They are league leaders, but we have shown in past games we can beat everyone and that´s what we are aiming to do. It will be tough, we have to be at our 100%. The team is confident and we are hoping for points.“
Steven Strong, defenseman EC-KAC: „We are looking forward to a difficult game in Znojmo. The teams are specially motivated against us, because we are the Leader. We will give our best to win.“
Fri, 07.12.2018: HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. EC Panaceo VSV (19:45)
Referees: M. NIKOLIC, TRILAR, Bärnthaler, Pardatscher.
• Champion HCB Südtirol Alperia and bottom club EC Panaceo VSV will try to return on the winning street in Bozen on Friday. The Italians have been defeated in seven straight games and Villach stayed without points in six straight matches.
• EC Panaceo VSV has had problems on the road so far: The Eagles stayed without points in all twelve road-games this season. On the other hand, the Foxes haven’t won in four straight home-games (including CHL) as well.
• HCB Südtirol Alperia has signed reliable scorer Riley Brace. The 26-year old Canadian has already went for goals for Herning Blue Fox in Denmark and Hockey Milano Rossoblu (ITA/Alps Hockey League) this season. Besides, Brace has scored most points in the regular Alps Hockey League-season 2017/18. Villach has extended the contract with defenseman Jamie Fraser.
• HCB Südtirol Alperia is ahead of Villach in all special statistics (Power Play, Penalty Killing, scoring efficiency, Fair Play and numbers of viewers).
• EC Panaceo VSV forward Felix Maxa has been elected EISNER Auto YoungStar of the month November by fans, National Team Coach and www.servushockeynight.com EBEL experts. Maxa has six goals and one Assist out of 25 games so far. Maxa has won ahead of Donat Szita (Fehervar AV19) and Nico Feldner (EC Red Bull Salzburg).
Quotes:
Jamie Fraser, defenseman EC Panaceo VSV: "We have to play a simple game and we have to go shift by shift. We have to do the little things right too and we must play fully concentrated all 60 minutes!"
„Blunden got injured, so we had to react. Riley Brace is ready to rock the EBEL. We want to win“, was to hear from Bozen.
Sat, 08.12.2018: spusu Vienna Capitals vs. Dornbirn Bulldogs (19:15)
Referees: BERNEKER, STOLC, Gatol, Nemeth.
• spusu Vienna Capitals and Dornbirn Bulldogs will be in action for the second time within 24 hours on Saturday. The Caps host KHL Medvescak Zagreb on Friday and Dornbirn Bulldogs play in Szekesfehervar first.
• The Austrian clash - spusu Vienna Capitals vs. Dornbirn Bulldogs - is the only Erste Bank Eishockey Liga fight on Saturday.
• spusu Vienna Capitals have won both season-meetings with the Dornbirn Bulldogs by one goal difference (3:2, 4:3/OT). Prior, Dornbirn Bulldogs had the upper hand twice by one goal difference (3:2/OT, 3:2/OT).
• Cap Peter Schneider has best memories facing the Bulldogs. The Austrian forward has scored all four goals for the Caps in the last meeting in Vienna in November.
• Dornbirn Bulldogs have been on fire lately. The West-Austrians have potted 23 goals out of the last five rounds, the Caps managed 20 goals.