VSV new league leader after victory over Salzburg

EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV won the top match against EC Red Bull Salzburg and thus also took over the top spot in the table. The visitors, who missed some palyers, started strongly but had difficulties in finishing as the game progressed against Villach, which was getting better and better. The hosts took the lead after 16 minutes: Alexander Rauchenwald took advantage of a defensive mistake by Salzburg and scored from close range. Shortly after the start of the middle period, Villach added to their lead, Robert Sabolic received the pass directly into the slot and immediately scored - 2:0. This lead lasted until the 59th minute, when JP Lamoureux, who recorded a total of 30 saves, had to reach behind him. Peter Schneider managed to pull one back with six players on the ice, but the equalizer in the thrilling game was not to follow. Villach thus took over the top spot in the table, but tied on points with the second-placed Salzburg team (with one game less) and the third-placed Fehérvár.

KAC wins PULS 24 live match
The EC-KAC made the leap into the top-6. The Klagenfurt side prevailed in the PULS 24 live match after overtime at the Steinbach Black Wings Linz with 3:2. The Upper Austrians took the lead in the first period through Jakob Mitsch, contrary to the course of the game, but the Carinthians turned the game in their favor in the second period. After the hosts equalized, the game was on a knife edge with chances on both sides. It went into overtime, where Nick Petersen scored 20 seconds before the end to decide the game. With only their second but well-deserved away win, the Red Jackets are now just one place behind the Linzers in the standings.

Asiago and Bolzano provide Italian successes
After three straight losses, Asiago got off to a good start against the Pioneers, leading 2:0 after the first period. After the restart, the Vorarlberg side turned the game in their favor within four minutes, with Steven Owre scoring a brace. The visitors could not take advantage of the momentum and went into the second period trailing 3:4. Although the Pioneers quickly equalized, Giordano Finoro put the home side ahead again in the 49th minute. Shortly after Michele Marchetti fixed the 6:4 home victory, for the Pioneers it was the fifth defeat in a row.

HCB Südtirol Alperia got back on track with an overtime win at Olimpija. After a scoreless first period, Bolzano's newcomer Tyler Sikura opened the scoring - celebrating his debut goal for the Foxes in the second game. Although the vice-champion even added a second, it went into the next intermission with another draw: Aljaz Predan provided the equalizer for 2:2 after a perfect Pance assist. In the 56th minute, the Bolzano side came closer to the three points with the lead, but Olimpija managed to equalize again. The match went into overtime, where Josh Teves secured the extra point for the guests.

win2day ICE Hockey League | 22.10.2023:
EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV – EC Red Bull Salzburg 2:1 (1:0, 1:0, 0:1)
Referees: SOOS, ZRNIC, Bärnthaler, Puff.
Goals Villach: Rauchenwald (16.), Sabolic (22.)
Goal Salzburg: Schneider (59.)

Steinbach Black Wings Linz – EC-KAC 2:3 OT (1:0, 0:2, 1:0)
Referees: HRONSKY, SIEGEL, Bedynek, Jedlicka.
Goals Linz: Mitsch (10.), Stuart (51.)
Goals Klagenfurt: Mursak (30.), Bischofberger (40.), Petersen (65.)

Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey – BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg 6:4 (2:0, 2:3, 2:1)
Referees: GROZNIK, OFNER, Fleischmann, Pardatscher.
Goals Asiago: Porco (14.), Gennaro (17./PP, 29.), Misley (38.), Finoro (49.), M. Marchetti (52.)
Goals Vorarlberg: Owre (24./SH, 28.), M. Pastujov (26.), Maver (41.)

HK SZ Olimpija – HCB Südtirol Alperia 3:4 OT (0:0, 2:2, 1:1)
Referees: NAGY, STERNAT, Hribar, Vaczi.
Goals Ljubljana: Cosic (31.), Predan (34.), Pance (58./PP)
Goals Bolzano: Sikura (21.), Mantenuto (26.), McClure (56.), Teves (64.)