Release from 26.01.2019
Sun, 27.01.2019: Moser Medical Graz99ers vs. Fehervar AV19 (16:00)
Referees: GRUBER, PIRAGIC, Bärnthaler, Zgonc.
- After Friday's 4:1 win in Znojmo, the 99ers are just one point behind leader Vienna
- Before playing their last road game of phase 1 of the regular season, fehervar has a one-point advantage to 7th-placed Linz
- The Styrians won the first two season meeting with Fehervar getting a 3:1 home win in their last match
- Janos Hari scored four goals in the three season meetings with Graz; the league's second-best scorer also netted the game winner in Fehervar's last win at Graz (4.3.2018)
- The 99ers still miss Ken Ograjensek and Erik Kirchschläger, while Kevin Moderer is doubtful
Zintis Zusevics (Moser Medical Graz99ers): „They are fighting for a top 6 spot what makes them even more dangerous. We have to do a good job defensively and use our chances on the attack.“
Hanna Järvenpää (Head coach Fehervar AV19): „It will be a tough game, I don't expect a lot of goals. They have good quality in their team and their special teams are working really well. We have to stay out of the penalty box.“
Sun, 27.01.2019: EC Red Bull Salzburg vs. EC Panaceo VSV (16:00)
Referees: IVERSON, SMETANA, Gatol, Kontschieder.
- With the last two wins the Red Bulls held their opponents for a top 6 spot at distance
- Villach lost the last five games; despite having a 2:0 lead they let Friday' match against Innsbruck slip away in the last ten minutes
- Salzburg won the first two season meetings but suffered a penalty away defeat in December
- At home the Red Bulls have been just average with earning 36 points out of 20 games
- John Hughes gained points in every of the last four games with having seven assists
- Salzburg will be without Matthias Trattnig and Layne Viveiros
Alexander Rauchenwald (EC Red Bull Salzburg): „Yesterday's win against Klagenfurt was important but we have to continue. Villach will give everything until the game is over.“
Gerhard Unterluggauer (Headcoach EC Panaceo VSV): „Salzburg is among the league's best teams, it's a great challenge. We have to play solid defensively and avoid mistakes.“
Sun, 27.01.2019: EC-KAC vs. HC Orli Znojmo (17:30)
Referees: BERNEKER, K. NIKOLIC, Hribar, Rezek.
- After a 0:1 loss at Salzburg, Klagenfurt still needs one point for an early playoff qualification
- After Friday's home defeat against Graz, the Czech do not have any chances to make the top 6 anymore
- Before the game KAC will honour former palyer Jamie Lundmark who ended his career at the club
- The home team always held the upper hand in the previous three season meetings (2:1 Znojmo); more than two years ago the Czechs had their last road win at Klagenfurt (2.12.2016, 2:4)
- Mitch Wahl (1 goal, 3 assists) and Nick Petersen (3 assists) earned at least one point in every game against Znojmo in the red-white jersey
Mitch Wahl (EC-KAC): „We have to paly at our best as we had some problems against them earlier this season. We need a hard forecheck and be aggressive. We want to win this game and secure playoffs.“
Jan Lattner (HC Orli Znojmo): „It's about important bonus points. We travel to Klagenfurt to get three points.“
Referees: BAUER, STOLC, Leermakers, Schauer.
- Due to their second successive defeat the Caps have only a one-point advantage to Graz anymore
- Dornbirn also lost the last two, having just theoretical chances for the top 6 now
- The Viennese won all three season meetings, one went into overtime
- The league's top scorer Brendan O'Donnell has not scored against the Caps (SHN podcast)
- Four of the last five games between these clubs were decided by only one goal
Dave MacQueen (Dornbirn Bulldogs): „Vienna is fighting for first place. They are near the top all year long, have lot skill and speed. It's our home game, we go out and try to get the win.“
Riley Holzapfel (spusu Vienna Capitals): „Every team gives everything at this stage, especially when playing against the leader. We have to focus on ourselves and use our chances.“
Sun, 27.01.2019: HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz (18:00)
Referees: TRILAR, ZRNIC, Pardatscher, Sparer.
- Thanks to four successive wins, the foxes have the chances to get their early playoff ticket against Linz
- The Upper Austrians won the last three with new head coach Tom Rowe being still unbeaten; they are just one point behind sixth place
- Bolzano won two of three games against Linz this season, in their only home game they got a 2:1 win
- The foxes have the second-best defense (94 goals against) available; Linz conceded just three goals against in their last three
- Forward Mike Blunden, who came back from injury after almost two months lately, scored three of Bolzano's six season goals against Lin
Daniel Glira (HCB Südtirol Alperia): „It's a top game, Linz is among the league's hottest teams. We want to build on our last games and make the playoffs.“
Tom Rowe (Head coach Liwest Black Wings Linz): „I know that Bolzano is a good team. We have a good atmosphere within the team and want to continue as we did in the last games.“