Bulls in the finals, Caps one step away

Red Bull Salzburg – Klagenfurter AC 4:0 (5:2, 4:3, 6:4, 3:2 OT)

After not showing any mercy with KAC in the first two games, the Red Bulls did not want to get stopped on their road to the finals.

In Game 3 KAC could come back from a 2:0 deficit, but in the end it was Troy Milam to score the game winning goal for Salzburg. 6:4 was the final results in favour of Red Bull.

Klagenfurt did not want to get swept on home ice and also gained the lead in the 22^nd minute of Game 4. Hundertpfund’s goal on the power play did not result as the lead for a long time though, as Matthias Trattnig scored the equalizer only 3 minutes later. Jean-Francois Jacques beat Luka Gracnar in the 46^th minute to make it 2:1 for KAC again, but once again it was Matthias Trattnig to tie the game.

Salzburg could start the overtime on the man advantage and it took Dominique Heinrich only 41 seconds to score the series clinching goal.

Whoever they will face in the finals, Salzburg is the main favourite to win the championship and they for sure are hungry for it, after last season it was newcomer HC Bolzano to spoil the party.

Black Wings Linz – Vienna Capitals 1:3 (3:2 OT, 4:5 OT, 3:4, 2:4)

The Capitals were the first team in this season’s playoff to win in Linz, as they were able to win Game 3 in the ‘Keine Sorgen Arena’. After earning a two-goal-lead in the first period (goals by Watkins and Foucault), the Black Wings came within one three times, but this time Vienna would not allow the tying goal. With this close 4:3 win, the Caps made it 2:1 in the series and had the chance on home ice to really put Linz under pressure.

This was also exactly what the Caps did in the first period. Vienna was dominating and deservedly so gained a 3:0 lead. Dustin Sylvester, Patrick Peter and Jamie Fraser were the ones to score in front of 7022 fans in the sold out ‘Albert Schulz Halle’.

In the second period Linz came out much more aggressive. Brian Lebler and Matthias Iberer’s attempts were stopped by Matt Zaba, whereas the goalkeeper’s best friend denied Jeff Ulmer. Oulette had an excellent scoring chance on a 2 on 1 situation, but once again Zaba was ready for the test. The Caps on the other hand were more efficient, as Jamie Fraser showed his genius in the 36^th minute with a perfect pass to Kristopher Foucault, who could easily score Vienna’s fourth goal of the evening. Brian Lebler replied for Linz in literally the last second of the period to bring his team within three.

After two minutes played in the 3^rd period, Andrew Kozek beat Zaba for the Black Wings’ second goal of the game. Vienna did not get nervous though and were able to defend their two-goal-lead without any further trouble. It was actually Dustin Sylvester, who had the biggest scoring chance in the last 18 minutes, but Michael Ouzas was helped out by the crossbar.

With this win, the Caps have the chance on Tuesday to close the series in Linz and move on to challenge Salzburg in the finals.

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