Top four get home wins

Medvescak were off to a hot start in their home game against Graz. After merely two minutes the puck ended behind Toivonen's back but was disallowed for crease violation. Thr first penalty of the game went to the home team and Graz managed to keep the puck in the att zone, without a shot whatsoever. A minute later young Rosandic saves a goal from a counter on the left, in the moments that Graz was more active. Just moments before Netik couldn't rack one up from the slot. Graz opens the scoring in the 8th minute from the slot as Setzingr centers nicely into the slot from behind the net to find Justin Buzzeo. Balej fires a wristshot from blue in then12th minute but that only makes for an easy save by Toivonen. Three minutes later Morley saves a puck from exitting the zone, finds Mahbod in the slot but he misses high on a promissing chance. The Bears were more active towards the end but couldn't put the puck in the back of the net.Zusevics can't score after a nifty pass from the right wing three minutes into the second period. Two minutes afterwards Mahbod dekes out an opposing defender at the blueline but couldn't scoring. The next play the home team is in the lead for the first time as Mario Puskarich netts his first goal of the seaon. The ensuing action proves Medvescak has come to life in the second period when Koskiranta fires from the left cirle only for his fellow countryman to make a glove save. Netik's wrister ends up safely in Toivonen's glove in the 29th minute as the home team worked hard on securing the lead in a tough game. Even though shorthanded Medvescak had three scoring opportunities, neither finding the net. Throughout the second period Medvescak were clearly the better team while the visitors had something to think about during the intermission and surely wanted to put up a good display during the final 20 minutes.Neither team could take advantage of the third period opener as the play was more-less even. Zusevics had the first dangerous chance in the 48th minute when he couldn't beat young Rosandic from the right wing. Marko Poyhonen answers right back but fires over the bar in the slot. After a powerplay by Graz that wasn't too dangerous for the Bears' goal, Balej answers unlucky after a quick counter and the score stands at 2:1. Medvescak had more of the play in the attacking zone especially in the second part of the period. Five minutes before the buzzer Olden is fouled one on one with the goalie and a penalty shot ensues - but the Norwegian couldn't convert. During the 56th minute Aviani tried a nifty wraparound but only by centimeters misses the goal. Zuneo made Rosandic sweat with two shots in the following play, though the Croatian goalie kept his hand cool. Morley seals the deal late in the period with the empty-netter.

 

With Matthias Tschrepitsch in the net the Caps started with high pressure but the visitors scored first when Zsombor Kiss made the breakthrough. After twelve minute Gilbert doubled the lead but the hosts struck back with two power play goals by Ryan McKiernan and MacGregor Sharp. Early in the second Riley Holzapfel turned the game around and when the Hungarians played with a man advantage at the halfway point of the game, Mario Fischer added a shorthander for a 4:2 Vienna lead. Fehervar worked hard in the third but Peter Schneider's empty netter rounded off the scoring.

 

Scott Timmins took the lead for Dornbirn after only four minutes but the hosts tried hard to equalize it. Andrew Yogan failed to score twice because of goalie Rasmus Rinne, though. Innsbruck outshot their opponent 12:2 in the middle frame but the period ended goalless. After 45 minutes Tyler Spurgeon broke the spell and tied the game. However, with three minutes to go Sean McMonagle scored the game winner for Dornbirn, who overtook Innsbruck in the standings for 5th palce.

 

It was a fast-paced game right from the beginning with both teams getting lots of shots goalwards. Both goalies did a great job, though, and once the visitors were lucky when the puck was stopped by the post. Znojmo opened the scoring in the second by Josef Zajic bit just a few minutes later Brian Lebler tied. Now the Black Wings pressed for the lead and Fabio Hofer finally lit the lamp - 2:1. Soon later Rick Scofield only struck metalwork and this repeated i nthe third. In the end Linz killed the clock for a tight home win.

 

After only six minutes the visitors took the lead with a hard shot by Dominic Monardo. It took some time until the Red Bulls became stronger but Michael Schiechl missed the first good chance. The Red Bulls entered the second more offensively minded and at the halfway point of the game Alexander Cijan scored the equalizer with a one timer. It was the only goal of the period because Bolzano's netminder Pekka Tuokkola did some great saves. Early in the third Schiechl found the back of the net and it was the game winner as Bolzano could not bounce back. The hosts did not use some chances late but celebrated a 2:1 win.

 

Gerd Kragl, who is on load from Linz, made his debut for Villach. The blue shirts got off a better start and used a defensive mistake from Klagenfurt when Jordan Hickmott opened the scoring. Just a couple of minutes later Julian Talbot tied the game and in the second Klagenfurt turned it when Stefan Geier scored a beauty. Later in the period Miha Verlic tied it with  a deflection for a 2:2 score after 40 minutes. The deciding poin tof the game was a 2+2 against Villach's Platzer and Thomas Koch got the game winner.