EBEL; Second part of the season - round 9

TOP6 games:

SAPA Fehervar AV19 – EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz  6:3 (1:2, 0:1, 5:0)

SAPA's this season's results are no more any surprise. Actually, author of this article believes that their model should be used throughout EBEL league – well organized home grown players with additional foreign players of good quality. SAPA players started the game very powerful. They put some pressure on Lorenz Hirn’s goal and guests were lucky to have him in front of their net. Surviving the first attacks of Hungarians, guests scored in 7^th minute (Justin Keller, 0:1). Home team continued to play attacking hockey, but guests scored again. Actually, Daniel Oberkofler hit the metal frame of home goal minutes before Martin Mairitsch scored in 13^th minute to extend Black Wings’ lead (0:2). Ladislav Sikorcin managed to put his team closer in 16^th minute anyway (1:2). Both teams performed well during the second period and spectators could really enjoy in good hockey game. They did not enjoy a result though, as Jan-Axel Alavaara extended Linz’s lead in 32^nd minute (1:3). Some 3500 fans in Szekesfehervar could not be satisfied with the result, but their team offered them a lot to cheer about in final 20 minutes. First, it was Krisztian Palkovics who scored in 43^rd minute (2:3). Derek Ryan equalized in PP2 situation for SAPA in 45^th minute (3:3). Csaba Kovacs took his team in their first, but well deserved lead of the game in 47^th minute (4:3). Marton Vas added another goal for home team in 55^th minute (5:3) and the ice hall exploded in joy. Guests tried to do something in final two minutes with extra skater on the ice, but they concealed an empty-netter from Arpad Mihaly (6:3). SAPA remains third, two points behind Medvescak – the game between this two teams will took place on Tuesday in Zagreb and will decide on which team starts the play-offs from second position. Linz remains on top, two points in front of Medvescak.

EC-KAC – HDD TILIA Olimpija Ljubljana  7:3 (1:0, 3:1, 3:2)

Guests – having many players injured – came to Klagenfurt with 17 players. Their form is up and down through the whole season, but they left better impression than KAC so far. Manny Viveiros position as head coach of KAC on the other hand is quite unstable, as his team performs rather poor this season. Well, not last night. Red Jackets showed guests who’s the master of Klagenfurt ice hall right from the start. They actually survived an early penalty for Thomas Koch without any serious trouble and they scored in their own PP in 7^th minute (Gregor Hager, 1:0). Guests’ defence was under pressure for remaining part of the period, although KAC offered Olimpija three PP situations. Actually, JP Lamoureux, Olimpija’s goalie, was forced to keep his team one goal behind only with some crucial saves. In fact, Erik Pance scored an equalizing goal for guests in 22^nd minute (1:1). Thomas Koch renewed home team’s lead in 28^th minute (2:1) and Thomas Hundertpfund added another goal a minute and a half alter (3:1). 4000 fans were in heaven when Markus Pirmann extended home team’s lead in 36^th minute (4:1). Andrei Zyuzin added fifth KAC’s goal in 44^th minute (5:1), but Erik Pance pulled one back in the same minute (5:2). Hundertpfund added his second goal another 48 seconds later (6:2) and guests decided to change their goalie. Justin Taylor scored in 49^th minute PP for Olimpija (6:3), but the ray of hope for guests never really shone. Hundertpfund actually completed his hat-trick with a shorthanded goal in 59^th minute (7:3). KAC is now only a point behind Olimpija on 6^th place.

KHL Medvescak Zagreb – EC Red Bull Salzburg  5:3 (2:2, 1:1, 2:0)

Pierre Page, coach of Red Bulls decided to perform another of his many strange experiments last night in Zagreb. Or it was perhaps a calculation, who knows. The fact is, he came to Zagreb with some strange mixture of players not familiar with playing in first team, combined with those who are. Marty Turco, Robbie Earl, Ramzi Abid, Steven Regier and Manuel Latusa are apparently injured and did not travel to Zagreb amongst others. Consequently, Medvescak dominated the game from the start. They scored in second minute already, but the goal was disallowed for Matt Siddal’s foul. Bears continued to attack and Tom Zanoski scored in 8^th minute to put his team in the lead (1:0). Joshua Tordjman was called off the ice after that(!) and Thomas Höneckl took his place. Markus Pöck equalized for guests in 9^th minute (1:1) and Andreas Kristler took them into the lead in 15^th minute (1:2). Alan Letang equalized for Bears in 19^th minute (2:2). Geoff Waugh scored an early period goal for Medvescak in 22^nd minute (3:2) and 6500 fans were present to very nice and quick hockey game after that. Guests levelled the score shield in 38^th minute, when Dominique Heinrich equalized (3:3).  Ryan Kinasewich’s goal 22 seconds inside final period was announcement of the winner (4:3). Guests tried to equalize through the whole period, but Robert Kristan kept his team in front with some nice saves. Guests were desperate to score in a final minute and let home team a 3 on 1 break-away which Dario Kostovic effectively finished with fifth Medvescak’s goal (5:3). Bears are on the second place with 14 points on their account and are two points behind leading Linz only. Red Bulls are fourth with 9 points.

QUALIFICATION Group games:

HC Orli Znojmo – EC REKORD-Fenster VSV  3:2 (1:0, 0:1, 2:1)

Both teams started last night’s game with nine points on their account. The only difference was that it was the last Orli’s game this season in EBEL (in case they do not qualify) and VSV still has a home game against Graz to play. It all started in an unusual way: Craig Weller (VSV) attacked Mike Danton (Znojmo) in 4^th second of the game!!! It was intentional attack and Craig should be punished for that! Anyway, fist fight resulted in 2 minutes of penalty for Danton and 2+2+10 penalty minutes for Weller. Having sorted the first tension, both teams decided to play hockey after that. Petr Pucher (Znojmo) was next to warm the penalty bench for two minutes between 9^th and 11^th minute; guests were quite dangerous at that time. Greg Kuznik was close to scoring an opening goal and Derek Damon was fast on a rebound, but Marek Ciliak, home goalie, managed to save his team. Two consecutive power play situations for Orli followed, but were unused. Orli then managed to score 30 seconds before first intermission (1:0, Kanko) when both teams had one player in penalty box. Home team failed to score on two nice opportunities at the beginning of second period. Guests continued to act very nervous and earned additional three minor penalties during this period. Consequently, Orli were dominant on the ice, but guests anyway managed to equalize; Robert Shearer did it in 31^st minute (1:1). Home team was quite shocked by that and VSV produced some chances after that – the clearest was missed by Shayne Toporowski. Beginning of the final period offered joy to home team – they managed to score after 38 seconds already (Martin Podesva, 2:1).  They extended their lead in power play situation in 49^th minute, when Antonin Boruta’s blue liner finished in guest’s goal (3:1). Guests were given a nice chance to come closer or even equalize during last 4 minutes, when Lubomir Stach was penalized twice. Guests decided to pull out their goalie and replace it with an extra skater, so they played with 6 on 4. They also took time-out – and they scored 10 seconds before the end (Peintner, 3:2), but there wasn’t enough time to equalize. Orli Znojmo are still on top of Qualification Group with 11 points, but they depend on results of other teams in final qualification round; VSV is fourth with 9 points.

Moser Medical Graz 99ers – UPC Vienna Capitals  2:1 (1:1, 0:0, 1:0)

Another important game took place in Graz. None of the teams secured the play-off place before the game and as it happened – neither 99ers, nor Capitals are not in play-offs even after the game. Anyway, it all started by home team's wishes, as Olivier Latendresse scored in 4th minute after marvellous pass by Toni Dahlman (1:0). Both teams were very disciplined and were trying to close the opposition before producing any chances. Capitals survived their only minor penalty of the game between 13th and 15th minute and scored in their own power play in 17th minute – Francois Fortier did it on rebound (1:1). Guests were slightly dominant during second period. 99ers actually offered them one power play chance and one penalty shot (Fredric Cloutier saved Nathan Robinson's try), but there were no goals in the period. Graz players were more focused during the final period. They managed to score in 46th minute, when Manuel Ganahl scored his first goal of the season (2:1).  And how important goal it was – it was a game winner! 99ers are now on second place of Qualification Group with 10 points on their account; they play their last qualification group game on Tuesday in Villach. It will be a decisive game, as VSV is only a point behind on fourth place. Capitals are currently out of play-off spot on third place (9 points) and they play against Jesenice in Wien on Tuesday.

Schedule for the last round of the second part of the season, Tuesday, February 14^th, 2012:

TOP6 games:

Linz: BW Linz – EC KAC

Salzburg: RB Salzburg – Olimpija

Zagreb (CRO): Medvescak – SAPA Fehervar

QUALIFICATION Group games:

Villach: EC VSV – Graz 99ers

Wien: Vienna Capitals – Acroni Jesenice

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