Release from 22.03.2017

Vienna Capitals in the finals, KAC in the CHL

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The UPC Vienna Capitals qualified for the fourth time for the finals in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. The Capitals won also semifinals game number 4 at Bozen 4:1. EC-KAC tied the series with EC Red Bull Salzburg thanks a 4:1-home-win and qualified for the Champions Hockey League 2017/18.

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KAC beat Salzburg for the second time
In the last six games between EC-KAC and EC Red Bull Salzburg always won that club, that made the first goal: In minute 12 a shot from Mark Hurtubise was deflected into the own net by Bill Thomas - 1:0. Both teams missed two Power Plays in period 1, but in minute 25 Klagenfurt extended their lead in a Power Play. The Red Bulls tried to answer, but Thomas Raffl, Brett Olson backhanded and youngster Lukas Kainz – after a 3-on-1-counter – missed good opportunities. The Carinthians on the other side also had good chances to extend their lead, but Hurtubise was stopped in the last moment from Dominique Heinrich with a foul and Manuel Ganahl and Jamie Lundmark could not beat goalie Bernhard Starkbaum with a double chance. After the re-start the Mozart Citizens failed to score from a 5-on-3-Powerplay, but finally in minute 52 Alexander Cijan made the 1:2. The „Red Jackets“ stayed unimpressed and answered quickly with the 3:1 from Captain Manuel Geier. And then late in the game Matt Neal even added the 4:1 into the empty net. The series continues now on Friday at Salzburg best of three. Another decision was done: Klagenfurt qualified as the third team after the UPC Vienna Capitals and EC Red Bull Salzburg for the Champions Hockey League season 2017/18.
 
UPC Vienna Capitals went through to the finals
The first 20 minutes were equal played, but no goal was scored. The best chances missed Marco Insam and Hannes Oberdörfer (rebound) for the Foxes and Andres Nödl for Vienna. Period 2 started with a good chance from Vallerand, but he could not finish a diagonal pass from Root. Then the Caps had a Power Play, but goalie Melichercik stopped the guests from scoring. After another Power Play the Austrians finally took the lead: After a shot from Aaron Brocklehurst from the blue line the puck was deflected from a HCB-player into the own net. In minute 34 McGregor Sharp finished a pass from Jonathan Ferland for the 2:0 after a mistake from the Foxes, when changing their lines. The Italiens stayed unimpressed and answered just 20 seconds later: Vallrand finished a pass from Marchetti. Bozen tried to equalize, but Lamoureux was not to beat. In minute 44 the Caps could have decided the game, but Melichericik stopped them from scoring after a bad pass from Seymour. Then Sparks outplayed his opponents, but couldn't beat Lamoureux. On the other side Tessier was not disturbed from the Foxes and easily made the 3:1. Gander missed the best chance for a comeback. Now the guests controlled the game and even added the 4:1 from Tessier. The Caps went through to the finals, while for Bozen the season is over.
 
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 4. Semifinals (best of seven):
Tue, 21.03.2017: HCB Südtirol Alperia – UPC Vienna Capitals 1:4 (0:0, 1:2, 0:2)
Referees: K. NIKOLIC, SMETANA; spectators: 4.193
Goals: 28:13 PP1 Aaron Brocklehurst (0:1) – 33:31 McGregor Sharp (0:2) – 33:51 Marc-Olivier Vallerand (1:2) – 46:02 Kelsey Tessier (1:3) – 56:24 PP1 Kelsey Tessier (1:4)
Final result best of seven series, VIC – HCB: 4:0
Tue, 21.03.2017: EC-KAC – EC Red Bull Salzburg 4:1 (1:0,1:0,2:1)
Referees: LEMELIN, PIRAGIC; spectators: 4.742
Goals KAC: Hurtubise (12., 25./pp), M. Geier (53.), Neal (57./EN)
Goal RBS: Cijan (52.)
Standing Best-of-seven-Series, RBS – KAC: 2:2