VSV and Pustertal tie their quarterfinal series | Two games decided in overtime

Graz99ers outlast Linz in double OT thriller
The Moser Medical Graz99ers came out on top in a true playoff battle against the Steinbach Black Wings Linz, celebrating their second win of the series. After 83 minutes, the Graz squad secured a dramatic 3-2 victory in double overtime, extending their series lead to 2-0. Both teams came out flying, setting a high pace early on. The 99ers were the more dangerous side offensively in the opening stages, but close calls—including a post hit by Rok Ticar and a crossbar shot from Trevor Gooch—kept them off the board. Linz, on the other hand, capitalized on their chances: Brian Lebler buried a powerplay goal (13’) and celebrated his 400th career tally in the win2day ICE Hockey League. Five minutes later, Shawn St-Amant doubled the lead with a rebound goal (18’). Graz battled back in the second period, cutting the deficit in half when Trevor Gooch pounced on a Linz turnover to make it 2-1 (39’). The Black Wings defended their narrow lead deep into the final minutes of regulation, but Graz went all in, pulling their goalie—and it paid off: With just 44 seconds left on the clock, Marcus Vela banged home the equalizer after a setup from Lukas Haudum. Despite quality chances in the first OT, neither team could find the back of the net. It took until the 83rd minute before Frank Hora finally ended the marathon with the game-winner, giving Graz a 2-0 lead in the series.

Villach wins overtime nail-biter
EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV and HCB Südtirol Alperia went head-to-head in a nail-biting second quarterfinal clash. The Villach Eagles fired up the home crowd early with a quick double strike in the 7th and 8th minutes—just 19 seconds apart: First, Kevin Hancock buried a powerplay marker, then Alexander Rauchenwald tipped in a highlight-reel deflection to make it 2-0. However, HCB Südtirol Alperia responded quickly in the second frame, leveling the game by the 31st minute through goals from Anthony Salinitri and Jason Seed. But Rauchenwald wasn’t done yet—he struck again before the end of the period to restore Villach’s lead. Bolzano pushed hard in the third, applying heavy pressure in search of the equalizer, and they got it: Adam Helewka tied the game at 3-3 in the 53rd minute, forcing overtime. The extra session saw chances on both ends, with each team coming close to ending it, but both netminders stood tall. In the 77th minute, though, it was Alexander Rauchenwald who sent Villach fans into a frenzy. After a won faceoff in the offensive zone, he ripped a quick shot that HCB goalie Sam Harvey could only deflect into his own net. Rauchenwald’s hat trick not only secured the game but also tied the series at 1-1.

Pustertal bounces back with a shutout
HC Pustertal got their revenge in Game 2 of the quarterfinals. The Wolves came out with a much more aggressive approach on Tuesday night and snapped their five-game playoff losing streak against EC-KAC with a dominant shutout victory. Matthias Mantinger opened the scoring in the 7th minute, ending HC Pustertal’s 144-minute goal drought against KAC netminder Sebastian Dahm. Cedric Lacroix doubled the lead in the same period, capitalizing on a powerplay opportunity to make it 2-0. The second period remained scoreless and evenly contested, with KAC trying to build offensive pressure in the final frame. However, the Wolves, backed by a rock-solid Eddy Pasquale, held their ground. The dagger came from Tyler Coulter, who sealed the deal with a powerplay goal to make it 3-0. After being shut out by EC-KAC in Game 1, HC Pustertal responded in kind with a shutout of their own. For goaltender Pasquale, who joined the team in November, it was already his third shutout of the season. With the series tied at 1-1, the Wolves now head to Klagenfurt for Game 3 on Friday.

Tight win puts Red Bulls up 2-0
EC Red Bull Salzburg also secured their second win of the series against Hydro Fehérvár AV19. A tight 1-0 road victory in Székesfehérvár gave the Red Bulls a 2-0 lead in this best-of-seven battle. The game started with high intensity and physical battles. After a scoreless opening period, Salzburg took control in the second, finally breaking through in the 28th minute when Scott Kosmachuk sniped home the go-ahead goal. Despite generating more chances, the Red Bulls couldn’t extend their lead before the second intermission. In the final frame, they put on a strong defensive performance, shutting down Fehérvár’s late push and limiting their offensive looks. Goaltender Atte Tolvanen was once again a difference-maker, coming up with clutch saves to preserve the shutout—his third of the season. With a 2-0 series lead, Salzburg now heads back home for Game 3 on Friday.

win2day ICE Hockey League: Tuesday, 04.03.2025 | Viertelfinale 2

Moser Medical Graz99ers - Steinbach Black Wings Linz 3:2 O.T. (0:2,1:0,1:0)
Referees: SEEWALD E., STERNAT, Bedynek, Riecken
Stand in der "best-of-7"-Serie: 2:0
Goals G99: Gooch (39.), Vela (60.), Hora (83.)
Goals BWL: Lebler 13. (pp1), St-Amant (18.),

EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV - HCB Südtirol Alperia 4:3 O.T. (2:0,1:2,0:1)
Referees: HUBER, NIKOLIC M., Bärnthaler, Puff
Stand in der "best-of-7"-Serie: 1:1
Goals VSV: Hancock (7./pp1), Rauchenwald (8.,36.,77.),
Goals HCB: Salinitri (28.), Seed (31.), Helewka (53.)

Hydro Fehérvár AV19 - EC Red Bull Salzburg 0:1 (0:0,0:1,0:0)
Referees: FICHTNER, OFNER, Durmis, Muzsik
Stand in der "best-of-7"-Serie: 0:2
Goal RBS: Kosmachuk (28.)

HC Pustertal - EC-KAC 3:0 (2:0,0:0,1:0)
Referees: PIRAGIC, ZRNIC, Pardatscher, Zgonc
Stand in der "best-of-7"-Serie: 1:1