Release from 28.01.2018
Zagreb books solid win over Znojmo
Match started with few chances on both sides. Medvescak did have more of them but couldn’t score from any of them. Biggest scoring opportunity came from Netik, who hit the post from a short distance. But it was Znojmo who took lead, when Radek Cip performed a great wrist shot. The hosts weren’t satisfied with the situation and added more shooting and immediately they got their goals. Two goals in two minutes were scored by Medvescak, the first one by Tomas Netik, who delivered the puck in front of Schwarz and the second one by Garett Noonan, who did a great slap shot. One would think that would be enough but not Znojmo. Adam Raska made the score even with a quick shot from right circle.
The second period belonged to Zagreb. Samson Mahbod gave leading back to his team with a fast breakaway and Mario Puskarich added the fourth goal of Medvescak not two minutes after. Znojmo did have some chances too, but the only on which should be taken seriously only hit the post.
The last period did not show anything which could be considered as an outstanding show. Both teams tried to defend their nets and they did well, Orli were maybe a bit more active. However, they had only one chance, but Cip missed Zagreb’s net from a short distance. Not even power-play of Znojmo in the end of the match meant goals for the home team, Medvescak scored instead. Samson Mahbod aimed exactly to the empty net and secured Zagreb’s direct way to playoffs.
Salzburg captures second place
The first save of the game was made by Carruth, then Latusa threatened. After that, Music fouled and although Salzburg had momentum during the powerplay, the home team defended well. Playing full strength, the guests were the better team on ice, Koger and co. had no real chances. After Uotila’s shot the game became more balanced as Fehervar started to push harder, however, 14 minutes into the game, Mueller passed to Brouillette and he didn’t miss, putting his team in the lead. Viverios was the next in the penalty box but Fehervar could not tie the game five on four.
Fehervar played better at the beginning of the second period, but Luttinen missed a penalty shot, then Hari passed to Erdely but he could not score. Gracnar had to make big saves in the first 10 minutes of the middle period, but there was no goal. Salzburg bounced back and started to attack more and more, moreover, Luttinen got a penalty and Salzburg used this opportunity well, Harris scored. Fehervar tried to answer with a fast goal, Manavian and LoVecchio both missed, then 4 minutes left in the period, Vidmar shot from the blue line and Hari deflected the puck that went into the net.
The third period started with chances on both sides, defensemen threatened on both ends, Stipsicz and Manavian and Raymond all missed. The pace got higher and Salzburg got their second penalty, Fehervar played on powerplay, which Hari could have used right away but Gracnar saved. Manavian hit the post and there were too many Salzburg players on ice, that is why Fehervar played five on four again, without success again. After the end of the penalty Fehervar battled harder but Stipsicz did not score. Erdely and co. pushed even harder for the last minutes and Salzburg used counterattack opportunities, yet there was no further goal. Hannu Järvenpää used his timeout but his team did not get to Salzburg’s end and Salzburg won the game.
Capitals take revenge on VSV
Already after 27 seconds Peter Schneider put a lot of pressure on VSV Goalie David Kickert. Referees needed the video evidence to not give the early goal. The VSV tried to play on an even level and created some good chances. The Capitals increased pressure and created chance after chance. In the second powerplay fort he Caps Peter Schneider scored from the blue line. The Caps had a perfect start into the second period. After only 128 seconds Taylor Vause increased to 2:0. Only 64 seconds after that Riley Holzapfel even increased to 3:0. After that the Caps had possibilities in 5 vs. 3 poerplay and Jerry Pollastrone took the invitation for the 4:0. It was the third goal within 150 seconds. In the first powerplay for Villach Kyle Beach scored the first goal for his team. In the final period both team took speed out of the game. After ten minutes Schneider served the puck to Vause for his second goal of the night. Rafael Rotter created the result of 6:1 with a slap shot.
Bulldogs capture win and bonus for Qualification-Round
In the first 16 minutes the two goalies were in focus, as they proofed their reactions and kept the zero. Michael Caruso opened the scoring after preparation work of Matt Fraser and Dustin Sylvester. The hosts came with big energy out of the locker room for the second period and put a lot of pressure onto KAC. The guests managed to survive the phase and took control after that. In the final period it was Dustin Sylvester who doubled the lead for the Bulldogs. Mathew Neal narrowed the gap with a flat shot. Stefan Geier even managed to tie game in the final period. In the overtime it was Michael Caruso who found the decision when playing short handed.
99ers capture win and bonus points against Bozen
The 99ers started with high pressure. After a few minutes it was Daniel Oberkofler who opened the scoring. Graz had full control over the game. Evan Brophey increased the lead in powerplay. Charles Gartner managed to narrow the gap also with numerous adavantag still in the first period. The guests came better into the game in the second period. Despite of a couple of powerplay they didn’t manage to score the second goal. Then, moments before the of the second, it was Chris DeSousa who scored the equalizer. The 99ers came with more energy into the final period. Daniel Woger found the decision in the 43rd minute of the game.
Innsbruck books overtime win against Black Wings
The Black Wings started with high pressue. Patrick Nechvatal had to proof his reactions in the goal of Innsbruck. Innsbruck came into the game from the 10ths minute. Ondrej Sedivy captured the lead with a one timer during powerplay. Pushed from the goal Increased further increased pressure. In the second period first Hunter Bishop missed a double chance. The Black Wings managed to tie the game in 27th minute. The game was on an even level right now, both teams created more good chances. In the 43rd minute the guests celebrated the first lead of the game. D’aversa scored with a slapshot. In the final minute of the game it was Andrew Clark who deflected the puck for the late equalizer. Both teams created good chances in the overtime, but the goalies won all battles. Andrew Clark scored the decisive penalty shot for the close win. But as the KAC captured a point, Innsbruck is starting with no bonus points into the Pick-Round.
Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, 44th round:
Fehervar AV19 – EC Red Bull Salzburg 1:2 (0:1, 1:1, 0:0)
Referees: STEFIK, TRILAR , Began, Zgonc
Goals AVS: Erdely (36.)
Goals RBS: Brouillette (14.), Harris (33./pp1)
HC Orli Znojmo - KHL Mevescak Zagreb 2:5 (2:2, 0:2, 0:1)
Referees: BALUSKA, NIKOLIC M., Nagy, Schauer Attendance: 2396
Goals ZNO: Cip (13.), Raska (18.)
Goals MZA: Deutsch (16./pp1), Noonan (18.), Mahbod (26., 59.), Puskarich (29.)
Vienna Capitals – EC VSV 6:1 (1:0, 3:1, 2:0)
Referees: PIRAGIC, REIMER, Haurum, Nemeth; Zuschauer: 5.450
Tore Capitals: Schneider (15./pp1), Vause (23., 51.), Holzapfel (24./pp2), Pollastrone (25./pp2), Rotter (52. PP)
Tore VSV: Beach (31./pp1)
Dornbirn Bulldogs – EC-KAC 3:2 n.V. (1:0, 0:0, 1:2)
Dornbirner Messestadion, 3.320 Zuschauer
Goals DEC: Caruso (16.), Sylvester (42.), Caruso (61./sh)
Goals KAC: Neal (45.), Stefan Geier (53.)
Moser Medical Graz 99ers – HCB Südtirol Alperia 3:2 (2:1, 0:1, 1:0)
Referees: SMETANA , ZRNIC, Hribar, Pagon
Goals G99: Oberkofler (3.), Brophey (7.), Woger (43.)
Goals HCB: Gartner (15./pp1), DeSousa (40.)
HC TWK Innsbruck – Black Wings Linz 3:2 SO. (1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 0:0, 1:0)
Goals HCI: Sedivy (16./pp.), Clark (60., 65. entsch. Penalty)
Goals BWL: Hofer (27./pp.), D’aversa
(43.).