Top duo hits the road

Win2day ICE Hockey League | 28.12.2023 | Schedule:
Th, 28.12.2023, 7.15 pm: Moser Medical Graz99ers – spusu Vienna Capitals
Referees: FICHTNER, ZRNIC, Hribar, Zgonc. | >> live.ice.hockey <<
The Moser Medical Graz99ers and the spusu Vienna Capitals are both fighting for a place in the 2024 pre-playoffs. They are currently eleven and four points behind tenth-placed HK SZ Olimpija. While the Styrians have suffered two defeats of late, the Viennese side arrive with two successes in a row: Innsbruck after a penalty shootout and Salzburg were defeated. This is only the third time this season that the "Caps" have won two games in a row – Christian Dolezal's team have yet to win three in a row this season. The two games so far this season have been won by the road team, both by one goal difference. The "99ers" have always scored against the "Caps" in the last four games. Neither team has scored in the last three games on powerplay while Vienna has also conceded a goal in each game when shorthanded. The two-time champions from the Austrian capital presented a new addition to the offense on Wednesday in the form of Zane Franklin, who will not yet be used.

Th, 28.12.2023, 7.15 pm: EC-KAC – HC Pustertal Wölfe
Referees: REZEK, TRILAR, Bärnthaler, Snoj. | >> live.ice.hockey <<
The EC-KAC is in third place in the table, level on points with second-placed Steinbach Black Wings Linz. With an existing point streak of eight games (17 out of a possible 24 points), the "Rotjacken" have now secured a comfortable place in the top six. Opponents HC Pustertal Wölfe are currently right in the thick of the race for direct qualification for the quarter-finals: in seventh place, the South Tyroleans have 47 points, the same number as sixth-placed Villach and eighth-placed Innsbruck. A lack of consistency prevents the "Wolves" from achieving a better position in the table. The convincing 7-1 win at champions Salzburg was followed by a 3-6 defeat against the "Pioneers" on Tuesday. On the road the team led by top scorer Jason Akeson (6G|24A) showed their mettle, winning their last four games in regulation time and conceding just one goal in each encounter. The Pustertal powerplay units have also been productive: In each of the last seven games, they have scored at least one goal with numerical superiority. Klagenfurt only scored three times on the powerplay on Tuesday, but not in any of their five games before that.

The "Wolves" won the first season duel between these two teams 2-1 away from home and have scored in four of their five appearances in Klagenfurt so far. The EC-KAC can once again rely on its full line-up. Defenseman Thomas Vallant will play his 500th league game (18G|38A).

Th, 28.12.2023, 7.15 pm: EC Red Bull Salzburg – HK SZ Olimpija
Referees: SEEWALD E., SMETANA, Gatol-Schafranek, Sparer. | >> FREE LIVE STREAM <<
Things are not going according to plan for EC Red Bull Salzburg at the moment, as the champions have picked up just two points (2-1 win after overtime in Klagenfurt) from their last five games, dropping to fourth place in the table. Defensively in particular, the team led by two-time ICE Finals MVP Atte Tolvanen showed weaknesses, conceding 18 goals in this phase. The defending champions will be hoping to reverse the trend against HK SZ Olimpija, relying on their streak against the Slovenians: The last six comparisons with the "Dragons" have been won. But the team in tenth place in the table proved to be a tough opponent on Tuesday, overturning a three-goal deficit and then a two-goal deficit in their 7:- home win over Klagenfurt after extra time. The Slovenians' biggest weakness is probably their penalty-killing: In their last three games, they have conceded seven goals while shorthanded, which puts them last in the statistics with 69.6%. Trevor Gooch, who has scored in seven of the last ten games, has recently shown his offensive prowess. Benjamin Nissner, who made his comeback last week after a long injury layoff, will be out again against Ljubljana.

Th, 28.12.2023, 7.15 pm: EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV – Hydro Fehérvár AV19
Referees: NAGY, PIRAGIC, Bedynek, Muzsik. | >> live.ice.hockey <<
EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV has not yet found its feet since the change of coach at the end of November: Under Marcel Rodman, the "Adler" are holding on to two wins from six games. Villach's last home game of the year will be against league leaders Hydro Fehérvár AV19, which have won both of their encounters so far this season and are currently in top form: In their eight December games, the Hungarians have only conceded three points and have thus secured the lead in the table - with a nine-point advantage. Fehérvár impress with very fast hockey and have a consistent scorer in their ranks in Janos Hari, as the Hungarian veteran has 14 goals and 26 assists after 30 games, making him the third-best scorer in the league.

Th, 28.12.2023, 7.30 pm: BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg – Steinbach Black Wings Linz
Referees: BERNEKER, NIKOLIC M., Fleischmann, Martin. | >> live.ice.hockey <<
The BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg, which could see Mike Pastujov make his comeback after a three-week injury layoff, welcome second-placed Steinbach Black Wings Linz and want to extend their strong form against the Upper Austrians: The "Pioneers" have scored consistently in their last four games, winning three of them. The overtime game in particular is on a roll, with eight powerplay goals scored in the last five games. This makes the "Pioneers" currently the most dangerous team with a numerical advantage (27.4%). Linz have weakened a little recently, picking up just two points from their last three games. There has only been one away win in the last six games (4:1 @PUS). It is not yet clear whether there will be a clash between the league's top scorers: Linz's forward Graham Knott (42 points) was in his home country for personal reasons. He could make his comeback against Steven Owre (44 points) & Co. Nico Feldner will definitely be back in the Linz line-up. The ninth-placed team won the first meeting this season 4:1.

Th, 28.12.2023, 7.15 pm: Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey – HCB Südtirol Alperia
Referees: OFNER, SCHAUER, Rigoni, Weiss. | >> live.ice.hockey <<
The penultimate gameday in 2023 will conclude with "Il grande Classico" between Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey and HCB Südtirol Alperia. In the first two confrontations, the "Foxes" came off the ice victorious, but on October 25, the "Stellati" claimed a point after overtime. Bolzano is currently unbeaten in four games, has the longest winning streak of any team - and has secured fifth place in the table for the time being. Asiago, who were not playing yesterday, have recently suffered two defeats. However, points against Bolzano would give them an advantage in the race for a place in the pre-playoffs - they are currently six points off tenth place in twelfth. The "Stellati" will be without Saracino, Moncada and the suspended Michele Marchetti for this game.