Three-way-fights in both groups

The battle of top two teams in Qualification Round offered full excitement already in the opening minute. Just 31 seconds into the game, Bartos found Colton Yellow Horn and the Canadian forward scored a lucky goal under goalie’s body. Znojmo was on top in the early part of the game, creating chances on a powerplay, yet failing to convert any of these into a second goal. Midway through the period, Ken Ograjensek found some space on top of the crease and his wristshot found a way into the net. Znojmo regained the lead before the break thanks to Jan Lattner and his breakaway. His initial effort was stopped by Dahm, but even the Graz goalie could not reach the rebound. Very even and competitive game continued also after the break. Siddall and Weihager missed their chances on one side, Yellow Horn missed at the other end. As the third period progressed, Graz pushed forward in search for an equalizer. That eventually backfired in 47th minute when Martin Podesva converted a pass from Bartos and his one timer increased Znojmo´s lead to 3-1. However, the visitors had a swift reply in the pocket – Daniel Woger scoring from a breakaway just minute later. Despite late pressure and empty net situation, no more goals were scored and Eagles prevailed to take the lead in Qualification round.

 

Early in the game the teams face each other at eye level with both creating some good chances. After eight minutes Fabio Hofer put a rebound home to opene the scoring but only 14 seconds later Alexander Rauchenwald tied it. And the story repeated itself later in the period. After Brian Lebler restored the home side's lead on power play, Thomas Raffl made it 2:2. Salzburg missed some more chances until the first intermission. It was still an intense match in the middle frame with Linz making life difficult for themselves, taking some penalties. Before the midway point of the game Daniel Welser deflected a shot by Layne Viveiros with a man advantage to turn the game around. Joel Broda wasted the only chance to bounce back for the hosts when he failed because of Salzburg netminder Bernhard Starkbaum. In the third period the Red Bulls added another pp goal by Raffl but this time the Upper Austrians answered promptly: Sebastien Piche made it a one-goal game again with a laser-beam from the blue line. The Black Wings tried hard in the remaining minutes and had some good chances but were not able to force overtime.

 

The Caps played like a champion in their away game against Bolzano. They were on top of things for most parts of the opening period with former foxes player MacGregor Sharp scoring the only goal. After the restart they still played a game of cat-and-mouse with their opponents, adding four more goals. Patrick Peter, Jonathan Ferland, Riley Holzapfel and Andreas Nödl registered their names into the scoring charts. After the fourth goal against HCB goalie Marcel Melichercik left his crease, Jake Smith replaced him. There were just a few hightlights in the third. The Viennese ran down the clock while Bolzano could not do better this evening. The Caps not only defended the top of the table, they made another big step for CHL qualification.

 

It was all or nothing for both sides when Villach paid Dornbirn a visit on Friday. And it was a massive spectacle on the ice right from the beginning. Stefan Häußle made the breakthrough in the third minute but halfway through the first the Carinthians tied it at one thanks to Patrick Platzer. Then Chris D'Alvise failed because of national team goalie Lukas Herzog and at the other end Villach's Jan Urbas only hit metalwork. While being one man down, Dornbirn retook the lead: Schmidt passed to Martin Grabher Maier who found the back of the net. After the restart the hosts had a 5 on 3 pp and D'Alvise took advantage. Villach hit back with a pp on their own, Miha Verlic made it a one-goal game again. In the last seconds of the middle frame DEC defender Olivier Magnan wasted a good chance for their fourth of the night. However, it was again Häußle who lit the lamp in the third and decided the game to the Bulldogs' favour. Villach has no chance to reach the playoffs anymore.

 

With three rounds to go in qualification round two teams that won't make the playoffs met at Hala Tivoli. Olimpija had a stronger start into the game. With just over three minutes played Ales Music opened the scoring. Fehervar responded well. Remainder of the period was played evenly. With some chances on both ends only one got converted thanks to Sacha Guimond. As the teams returned that didn't change much. After not scoring on power play the dragons managed to increase their lead. Miha Zajc became the third man to get the better of Miklos Rajna on the night. The devils also missed a chance to score on their 5 on 4 before having to deal with two more penalties of their own. As the period neared its end Fehervar managed to get on the scoreboard as well. It was Csanad Erdely who outsmarted Jeff Frazee. Headed into the final 20 minutes Fehervar refused to give up without a fight. But their efforts were put to stop when Bence Sziranyi made hiš second foul of the night. Once more power play wasn't Olimpijas stronger part of the game. The hosts made a mistake and Chris Owens made them pay for it. Trailing by a goal Miklos Rajna left the ice with 80 seconds remaining. With 53 seconds left on the clock Raphael Bussieres's high sticking foul gave the visitors a final chance for a point. But their 6 on 4 didn't work and Olimpija held on to a deserving win without a problem. With it the dragons also overtook the devils in the standings before the last two rounds.

 

A broken glass delayed the start of the game for 30 minutes but it did not affect the home side. Klagenfurt pressed for an early lead against Innsbruck and as a result Steven Strong lit the lamp. Innsbruck fell short of expectations and could notgenerate on two power plays. Different story at the other end. After a shot by Mark Popovic, Manuel Geier scored on the rebound for a 2:0 home lead after 20 minutes. The game slowed down in the second with just a few chances. Out of nothing Manuel Ganahl, who announced his contract extension until 2018/19 right after the game, put the record-holding champions 3:0 up. Jamie Lundmark went wide with the last chance of the period. Klagenfurt still controlled the game in the third and with six minutes to go Patrick Harand finished off the scoring for a fourth successive KAC win.

 

Referees: PIRAGIC/ZRNIC, 4.865 spectators

Goals Linz: Hofer (8.), Lebler (15./pp), Piche (49.)

Goals Salzburg: Rauchenwald (9./sh), Raffl (16., 48./pp), Welser (28.)