Release from 28.01.2017
While third-placed Linz hosts leader Vienna, Salzburg, who are ranked second, travels to fourth-placed KAC. In Qualification Round a battle for the last playoff spot between Znojmo and Villach is on the agenda.
All time classics between KAC and Salzburg live on ServusTV
Yesterday EC-KAC and Salzburg suffered defeats with both trying to get back on winning ways in tomorrow’s ServusTV live game. While the Red Bulls came up short in their home game against Linz, the Carinthians lost in Innsbruck. "We got more shots on goals but missed the last punch. We have to learn our lesson and do better against Salzburg", says KAC coach Mike Pellegrims who lost three of four season meetings with Salzburg. But it were close games, three of them went into overtime. "We know what to expect in Klagenfurt. They are a top 4 team, so we have to be disciplined for 60 minutes", knows defender Dominique Heinrich who became a father on Thursday. The Red Bulls will be without Daniel Welser and Zdenek Kutlak while Manuel Latusa is doubtful.
Black Wings challenge the leader – part 2
After the Black Wings won against the existing champion and the leader of the pickround on Friday, they indirectly made their next opponent to the leader.The Caps dominated the regular season and spent the most time at the top. Now they are back, even in the pickround. Both teams booked important successes on Friday. The Caps won with 5:1 against Bozen, to the satisfaction of Serge Aubin. “It was a big game. The way we won is the most important thing to me. The way how we did the forecheck was good, all four line were going, the defense payed good attention and David Kickert did a great job.” But also the Headcoach of Linz was very happy after their win against Salzburg. “We fought very good, when Salzburg tied the game. The fourth goal was decisive for the important result.“ Linz only won one duel so far this season against the Caps, back in November. The fact that Robert Lukas, Philipp Lukas, Rick Schofield and Stefan Gaffal will miss the game, doesn’t make things easier. But Serge Ausbin knows, that it will a very tough one. “Eyery game now is going to be a physical high tempo game. Liz beat Salzburg and I’m sure they will come fully energized, but so we do as well.”
Derby for the fifth place in pickround
The HC TWK Innsbruck celebrated the first win in the pickround on Friday, the HCB Südtirol Alperia is still waiting for the first success. Sharks Coach Rob Pallin observed a change in mindset of his team. “It was very important for us to win this game. The time of shooting that much goals, now we have to work for every win very hard. This is what the team did last Friday.” Bozen had to take a 1:5 defeat against the Caps, so they are at the starting position of one point, the bonus point they started with. Against Innsbruck they aim to capture the first points in the second phase and to replace the sharks on the fifth place. Coach Pallin even has bigger plans. “We have to keep on fighting and to work on the little things.” We can play better than against the KAC. But we had a good attitude, this is what I want to see against Bozen as well.” In this season every time the home team won in this duel. Could be an argument for the foxes, but the sharks did offensively a good job, playing against Bozen this season and scored five goals in average.
Eagles fight for playoff spot
The winning streak of HC Orli Znojmo came to an end on Friday when the Czechs suffered a 3:1 defeat in Graz. Despite being out of luck with two shots against the bar in the third period but defender Andre Lakos makes a clear statement: "Graz was the better team for two periods and we took over in the third. But it was not enough and now we have to focus on our game against Villach". There is much at stake when the Czechs face the second-placed Carinthians who lost their last two matches. "We really need a win in Znojmo. It's be a tough game but we will have our chances. Lately we needed too many chances for a goal, that hurts but there is no time for self-pity", tells us coach Greg Holst. It did not go their win on the road lately and also the all time stats are not to their favour with Znojmo winning eleven of 15 EBEL home games against the Carinthians.
Deserved to win tonight, was hard, fighted till the end
Self-confident 99ers want first win at Hala Tivoli
Happy Ljubljana faces returned from Szekesfehervar as the win kept the slim chances of possible qualification still alive. „'m so proud of the boys. Despite unperfected conditions in Ljubljana which are lately improving they're playing very well. Fans are feeling it too and are slowly returning to support us. We've played well vs. Znojmo already but just came short. Now we got a big and deserving win in Hungary. Our next challenge will be the leading team. Graz has a great bunch of players and is on the role. Still they have yet to win in Tivoli. I'm confident that the history will repeat itself and we'll keep the points at home“, says head coach Bojan Zajc. His side won the previous two home games against Graz in overtime but the 99ers have a five-game winning streak. They lead Qualification Round and want to keep their advantage. „Pressure is on our side. We’ve seen earlier this season what could happen when you are not ready from the first puck drop. This time we will be ready“, tells us Thomas Pöck. Oliver Setzinger has gained points in every season meeting with the Slovenes.
Dornbirn and Fehervar fight for staying in the playoff race
The Dornbirner Eishockey Club booked the first win in qualification round on Friday and now has as much points as Fehervar. But despite the win Headcoach Dave MacQueen was not happy with the first period. “We started very nervous. We knew we had to win this game to give ourselves a chance. In the second and third period, we played a lot better. We knew its going to be a tight game. Florian Hardy did a good job and made the saves when he had to. Now we have to get ready for Sunday.” On Sunday they host the Red Devils of Fehervar, who lost after shoot-out against Ljbuljana, to the dissatisfaction of assistant coach Lajs Enekes “We are not satisfied with our performance against Ljubljana. We have to look in ourselves why we played a game like this against a team, which stands in the last place. Fortunately, we are only 5 points from the playoffs but if we go on like this, we don’t really have a chance”. The winning team of this duel is back in the playoff race, this also knows Antonin Manavian. one of the most successful players and topscorer defenseman. “We have no choice if we want to make the playoffs we need that victory”.
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 4th Pick Round:
Sun, 29.01.2017: HCB Südtirol Alperia – HC TWK Innsbruck „Die Haie“ (16:00)
Referees: STOLC, TRILAR, Rakovic, Schauer.
Sun, 29.01.2017: EC-KAC – EC Red Bull Salzburg (17:00, ServusTV live)
Referees: LEMELIN, ZRNIC, Kontschieder, Verworner.
Sun, 29.01.2017: EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz – UPC Vienna Capitals (17:30)
Referees: BABIC, PIRAGIC, Nagy, Nemeth.
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 4th Qualification Round:
Sun, 29.01.2017: HDD Olimpija Ljubljana – Moser Medical Graz99ers (16:15)
Referees: KELLNER, SMETANA, Ettlmayr, Kaspar.
Sun, 29.01.2017: Dornbirner EC – Fehervar AV19 (17:30)
Referees: GRUBER, K. NIKOLIC, Pardatscher, Zgonc.
Sun, 29.01.2017: HC Orli Znojmo – EC VSV (17:30)
Referees: KINCSES, M. NIKOLIC, Seewald, Soos.