Release from 20.02.2020

Villach and Linz can pin down playoffs

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On Friday, the EC Panaceo VSV and the EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz can fasten their spot in the playoffs 2020 in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. While the Carinthians are through after three points, the Upper Austrians need support by other teams too. The battle for the third spot HC TWK Innsbruck “Die Haie” against Hydro Fehérvár AV19 rounds off QR-action.

In the Pick Round the HCB Südtirol Alperia can qualify for next year’s campaign in Champions Hockey League, after a home-win after regulation in the top-duel against the EC Red Bull Salzburg. Jhonas Enroth makes the debut for the EC-KAC in its road game at Moser Medical Graz99ers shown live on Sky Sport Austria 1 HD.

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5 facts ahead of 7th intermediate round:

  • EC Panaceo VSV and EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz can qualify for the playoffs 2020. Both teams must win, although the Upper Austrians are also dependent on outside help.
  • In the Pick Round, the two best-placed teams play each other with HCB Südtirol Alperia hosting the EC Red Bull Salzburg. Both teams have a winning streak (HCB 4 resp. RBS 5).
  • In case of a win after regulation, and only if the parallel game between Graz and Klagenfurt goes into overtime, Bolzano can fix the second place after the Pick Round ahead of time and thus qualify for the Champions Hockey League 2020/21.
  • Sky Sport Austria will broadcast the game between the Moser Medical Graz99ers and the EC-KAC from 7.00 pm, where World Champion goalie Jhonas Enroth will make his debut for the reigning champions.
  • The spusu Vienna Capitals are free to play in the 7th intermediate round.


Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 7. Pick Round:
Fr, 21.02.2020, 7.15 pm: Moser Medical Graz99ers – EC-KAC (live auf Sky Sport Austria 1HD)
Referees: GRUBER, STERNAT, Nagy, Soos.

  • The game will be live on Sky Sport Austria 1 HD (7.00 pm).
  • While KAC played four games within the last nine days, Graz hit the ice twice.
  • KAC lost the past four games, grabbed only two points in that period, while Graz achieved three points out of the last four games.
  • G99 won the first encounter in the pick round 4:3 after overtime.
  • KAC leads head-2-head with 72:41 (since 2003/04).
  • Seven out of the past 15 duels were decided in OT or SO.
  • KAC has the best PK available.
  • 99ers are without Lukas Kainz, Oliver Setzinger and Erik Kirchschläger.
  • Goalie Jhonas Enroth makes his debut for KAC, while Nick Petersen, Manuel Geier and Johannes Bischofberger are out due to injuries.

Pregame Statement: Cristopher Nihlstorp (G99) | Petter Hansson (KAC)


Fr, 21.02.2020, 7.45 pm: HCB Südtirol Alperia – EC Red Bull Salzburg
Referees: BERNEKER, STOLC, Basso, Pardatscher.

  • Second-placed HCB Südtirol Alperia (12 points) hosts leader EC Red Bull Salzburg (17 points).
  • In case of a win after regulation, and only if the parallel game between Graz and Klagenfurt goes into overtime, Bolzano can fix the second place after the Pick Round ahead of time and thus qualify for the Champions Hockey League 2020/21.
  • RBS remains unbeaten in the Pick Round, while HCB won the past four straight.
  • RBS won the first encounter in the intermediate round 2:1.
  • The past four games between HCB and RBS ended 2:1 (2x SO).
  • HCB won the past five home games, RBS the past seven on the road.
  • Captain Anton Bernard is back in Bolzano’s line up.
  • RBS is without Yannic Pilloni, Alexander Rauchenwald and Florian Baltram.

Pregame Statement: Patrick Wiercioch (HCB) | Alexander Pallestrang (RBS)


Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 7. Qualification Round:
Fr, 21.02.2020, 7.15 pm: HC TWK Innsbruck “Die Haie“ – Hydro Fehérvár AV19
Referees: NIKOLIC M., SCHUTZ, Schauer, Tschrepitsch.

  • Both teams placed behind a playoff spot in the QR, with each team having ten points, trailing two points to third-ranked Znojmo.
  • Both teams suffered a defeat post gameday.
  • The past three games were won by the road teams, with the “sharks” winning three out of five meetings in the running season.
  • AVS won 27 out of 50 meetings with HCI.

Pregame Statement: Antti Karhula (AVS)


Fr, 21.02.2020, 7.15 pm: EC Panaceo VSV – HC Orli Znojmo
Referees: PEARCE (CAN), ZRNIC, Bärnthaler, Seewald.

  • The EC Panaceo VSV has the chance to qualify for the playoffs 2020 on Friday.
  • In case of a win after regulation Villach is seeded for the postseason.
  • In case of a win after OT or SO, Fehérvár must grab two points in Innsbruck at the same time.
  • With one or zero points Villach cannot qualify for the playoffs on Friday.
  • Despite the defeat on Tuesday (2:5 vs. Linz) Villach is still the leader in the qualification round.
  • Znojmo, who recently celebrated two victories in a row, is in third place and would thus currently be assured of participating in the playoffs.
  • ZNO is on the verge of his 100th away win in a Regular Season game in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga.
  • The Czechs have only celebrated one victory on the road in 2020 and have suffered seven defeats.
  • The two teams face each other for the 50th time, Znojmo has won 26 games.

Pregame Statement: Marko Pöyhönen (VSV) | Jiří Beroun (ZNO Assistant Coach)


Fr, 21.02.2020, 7.15 pm: EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz – Dornbirn Bulldogs
Referees: OFNER, SMETANA, Bedynek, Gatol.

  • Also the EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz has the chance against the Dornbirn Bulldogs to qualify for the playoffs 2020 on Friday:
  • If they win after rgulation and Villach takes three points, or
  • in a win after regulation and Fehérvár gets at least one point.
  • if two, one or zero points are achieved, the Upper Austrians cannot yet qualify for the postseason.
  • Both Linz (5:2 @VSV) and Dornbirn (3:2 vs. AVS) won their games on Tuesday.
  • Dornbirn is still at the bottom of the QR and is currently five points behind third placed HC Orli Znojmo.
  • Linz won four of this season’s five games with Dornbirn.
  • Dornbirn has never won after regular playing time in his last ten games in Linz, twice a success after overtime. On January 8, 2016 the Bulldogs took three points for the last time in Linz.
  • Out of 37 games against Dornbirn so far, Linz have won 26.
Pregame Statement: Kai Suikkanen (DEC)