EBEL Semi-finals; fourth games

EC-KAC – KHL Medvescak Zagreb  4:1 (1:0, 2:0, 1:1)

5018 fans gathered in Klagenfurt for the fourth in this semi-finals best-of-seven game. There was quite a large group from Zagreb, too. The game started by shock for guests: Robert Kristan, their goalie couldn’t stop the puck along the board behind his net, Joey Tenute came from the other side and put it into the empty net (1:0) – it all happened in 49^th second of the game. Thomas Hundertpfund and Stefan Geier missed a chance to extend the lead shortly after. Tom Zanoski was unlucky, hitting the post for guests and Dieter Kalt was denied by Kristan on the other side in following minutes. KAC continued the pressure and Manuel Geier and Raphael Herburger both failed to score from nice chances. First period was therefore quite fluent. Teams did not play a lot of equal-strength game, as guests spent total of 10 minutes on penalty bench and KAC players total of 8 minutes. Adam Naglich and Andy Sertich were both sent to sin bin at the beginning of second period and Kalt scored in PP2 situation in 24^th minute (2:0). Ryan Kinasewich was next on penalty bench for slashing in 28^th minute. It took 23 seconds for Tenute to extend KAC’s lead (3:0). Another 22 seconds later Kenenth MacAuley was sent to penalty box, only this time KAC couldn’t score. Final minutes of the period offered great chance for guests: two KAC players were sent to penalty box. Guests were unable to score and 32 seconds of PP2 remained for the third period. Guests risked and were trying to score without Kristan and with another skater, so they attacked with 6 on 3 on the ice. They couldn’t score though; in fact, Thomas Koch and Tenute were both into chances to score into the empty net, but nothing changed. Herburger deflected a puck into guests’ net in 47^th minute (4:0) and Matt Siddall scored the only goal for guests 36 seconds later (4:1); in consequence of that action Mike Siklenka was sent to the sin bin, but guests couldn’t benefit on it. Nothing significant happened after that and KAC now leads in this best-of-seven series with three wins to one. Fifth game follows on Thursday in Zagreb, Croatia.

HDD TILIA Olimpija Ljubljana - EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz  2:1 (0:1, 2:0, 0:0)

Poor play by Olimpija defensemen in Linz was punished with several »easy« goals for Black Wings on Sunday. Adding not particularly good performance by Matija Pintaric in Olimpija's goal and being three wins behind Linz - home team was really in front of a difficult task before fourth game. Ancient Tivoli ice hall was not fully packed – probably as a consequence to poor Olimpija game two days ago. Guests were first to threaten at the beginning of the game, as Rob Hisey warmed Pintaric in second minute already. Home team put on some weak pressure in following minutes. Another poor defensive clearance cost home team another goal – Gregor Baumgartner opened the scoring in 7^th minute (0:1). Pintaric probably didn’t react the best on this occasion, too. John Hughes tried to level the score in 9^th minute, but was easily denied by Alex Westlund. Jamie Fraser’s long–distance shot missed the net in 13^th minute, but another chance was offered to Justin Taylor after the deflection. Taylor could not reach the puck and Westlund saved the whole situation for Black Wings. Justin Keller was in great chance to extend Linz’s lead in 15^th minute, but Pintaric denied him with a great save. Second period showed some other Olimpija. Players came on the ice determined to level the score. Erik Pance was allowed to shot consecutive three times before Westlund managed to hold the puck. Mike Ouellette and Robert Lukas were close to extension of guests lead in following minutes. Crucial moments of the game happened between 24^th and 26^th minute. First, Jan Axel Alavaara (BW Linz) had to go to the sin bin for holding in 24^th minute. He was followed by Adrian Veidemann (trip) and home team had a chance to score with 5-on-3 on the ice. Fraser equalized in 26^th minute (1:1, PP2) and Bostjan Golicic added another for Olimpija 32 seconds later in PP1 (2:1). Now back on five players, Black Wings applied pressure to equalize. Curtis Murphy, Danny Irmen and Martin Mairitsch were in nice chances, but Pintaric saved their shots. Brad Cole and Brock McBride (both Olimpija) were sent to penalty box one after another at the final minutes of the period and pucks flew towards Pintaric from everywhere, but the result didn’t change. Frasere was first in a chance to score in final period, but Westlund saved his shot. Pintaric on the other side was forced to do his best after Baumgartner’s shot. Pintaric had to deal with rebound, too, as Brian Lebler tried to score from it. Erik Pance’s shot from the left side was easily denied by Westlund later. Pintaric produced a magnificent save in 53^rd minute to deny Mike Ouellette. Alavaara was next to fire a big shot towards Pintaric, but the man was unbeatable. He was forced to save another three big shots in 54^th minute, when Black Wings played in power-play. Final minutes were marked by Daniel Oberkofler’s penalty in 59^th minute. Despite being a man down, guests pulled their goalie off the ice and tried to equalize. Stupid Domen Vedlin’s reaction 20 seconds before final buzzer gave Linz another opportunity and some big shots were fired towards Pintaric, but the result remained. That was Olimpija won for the first time in this series. Fifth game follows on Thursday in Linz.