Top Duo Extends Lead | KAC Wins Top Game in Overtime

KAC Wins Top Game
Despite being short-handed, EC-KAC prevailed in the top game, a rematch of last season’s final, against EC Red Bull Salzburg in overtime. This marked the second time this season that the Klagenfurt side took revenge for last year’s final. The Red Bulls, however, got off to a flying start: defenseman Ryan Murphy needed less than 100 seconds to score the opening goal. The Red Bulls controlled the first period but were repeatedly denied by KAC goaltender Sebastian Dahm. KAC came out much stronger in the second period and took the lead through goals from Maximilian Preiml and Matthew Fraser. In the final period, it didn’t take long for the hosts from Salzburg to strike back: Peter Hochkofler tied the game, sending it into overtime. In OT, it was Johannes Bischofberger who sealed the win with a successful penalty shot after a foul by Thomas Raffl. With this win, the "Red Jackets" jumped to fourth place in the standings.

Top Duo Pulling Away
HCB Südtirol Alperia managed to defend their lead in the standings on Sunday evening. In the Tyrolean derby against HC TIWAG Innsbruck, the Foxes earned a hard-fought 4-2 victory. Although the South Tyroleans took a 2-0 lead by the 17th minute, the "Sharks" fought back and tied the game by the 30th minute. However, just before the end of the second period, the hosts regained the lead and eventually secured the 4-2 win. This marked Bozen's fourth consecutive victory, giving them the longest active winning streak in the league.

Meanwhile, Moser Medical Graz99ers spoiled John Hughes’ milestone game and remained close behind the Foxes. The Styrians started efficiently in their away game against EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV, taking the lead early. In John Hughes’ 900th game, the Villach side showed resilience and tied the game in the first period. In the second period, the Graz99ers extended their lead with two goals. The "Eagles," who struggled with their finishing, managed to get back within one in the 52nd minute—through none other than the milestone man, John Hughes, who picked up his 1052nd career point. However, the Styrians held firm and sealed a 4-2 win. Their gap to HCB Südtirol Alperia remains two points, while they extended their lead over the third-place team (Fehérvár AV19) to four points.

Fehérvár Ends Black Wings' Streak | Pioneers Snap Losing Skid
Hydro Fehérvár AV19 ended Steinbach Black Wings Linz’s winning streak on Sunday afternoon. The Linz team, which had won four straight games, suffered its first defeat since September 29. The Hungarian side of the win2day ICE Hockey League played efficiently in the first two periods in Linz, building a 3-0 lead by the 22nd minute. The Upper Austrians got on the board in the final period, but couldn’t manage more than a consolation goal. Fehérvár secured a 3-1 win and climbed to third place in the standings.

Meanwhile, Pioneers Vorarlberg ended their losing streak on Sunday evening. After six consecutive losses, the Vorarlberg team returned to winning ways in their road game against Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey. Asiago, who had impressed with a 5-1 win over EC Red Bull Salzburg two days earlier, couldn’t replicate that performance. The Vorarlbergers celebrated a 3-1 win and drew level with the North Italians in the standings, although they still remain at the bottom.

win2day ICE Hockey League, So, 20.10.2024:

Steinbach Black Wings Linz – Hydro Fehérvár AV19 1:3 (0:1,0:2,1:0)
Referees: OFNER, ZRNIC, Hribar, Zacherl
Goals BWL: Maver (46.)
Goals AVS: Stipsicz (12.), Messner (22.), Brown (22.),

EC Red Bull Salzburg – EC-KAC (1:0,0:2,1:0)
Referees: FICHTNER , SMETANA, Bedynek, Nothegger
Goals RBS: Murphy (2.), Hochkofler (41.)
Goals KAC: Preiml (23.), Fraser (34.), Bischofberger 65./ps)

EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV – Moser Medical Graz99ers 2:4 (1:1,0:1,1:2)
Referees: SIEGEL, SOOS, Bärnthaler, Moidl
Goals VSV: Pearson (11.), Hughes (52./pp1),
Goals G99: Bailey (6./pp1), Huber (31./pp1), Vela (48.), Roy (60./en)

Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey – Pioneers Vorarlberg 1:3 (0:1,1:1,0:1)
Referees: K. NIKOLIC, PIRAGIC, Puff, Zgonc
Goals ASH: Moutrey (22.),
Goals PIV: Keefer (1.), Cooper (34.), Woger (48.)

HCB Südtirol Alperia – HC TIWAG Innsbruck 4:2 (2:1,1:1,1:0)
Referees: GROZNIK, SCHAUER, Mantovani, Pardatscher
Goals HCB: Valentine (12.), Bradley (17.), Salinitri (40.), Seed (60./en)
Goals HCI: Valentini (19./pp1), Rassell (30.),