EBEL: A Mad(lener) world for the big clubs

In Vienna, the vice champions had to take on the Bulldogs from Dornbirn. The Bulldogs’ man between the pipes, David Madlener, was clearly the busier goalkeeper in the first 20 minutes of play. Already in the 2^nd minute Derek Witmore was found alone in the slot, denied by the young Austrian net minder defending Dornbirn's net. In the 5^th minute the Capitals found the lead thanks to Jamie Fraser’s hammer from the blue line.

Vienna kept pushing for the two-goal-lead, though was not able to find the back of the net. David Madlener was again the center of attraction when he denied Troy Milam and Derek Witmore with his catching glove. Jamie Arniel had the first and only scoring chance for Dornbirn in the first period, but the 26 year old sniper was denied by his former teammate Nathan Lawson.

In the middle frame the 4000 fans in Albert Schulz Halle saw a more equal game, as also the Bulldogs created some opportunites. In the 20^th minute one of their counter strikes gave Dornbirn the equalizer, as Dustyn Sylvester punished his former team with a top shelf shorthander. It was a special goal for Sylvester, as the forward spent the previous two seasons in Vienna. On the other side the game was also a reunion for Nathan Lawson, who played in Dornbirn during the 2014/2015 season.

The Capitals tried to find the immediate response, but David Madlener remained the hero of the game. Adding to that, the puck was also not bouncing their way when captain Jonathan Ferland had the wide open net in front of him.

So the third period kicked off with the game tied at one. Dornbirn had an early power play, but they could not beat their former goalkeeper. Meier Grabher had the next dangerous opportunity for the guests, but his deflection was Lawson's safe catch.

Whereas the first two periods did not offer the most exiting hockey, the teams now showcased a more offensive game. Every mistake would be costly at this time and it was the Caps’ goalkeeper to get caught out of position, mishandling the puck behind the net and allowing Stefan Häußle to score the go-ahead-goal on the wide open net. Not only was this a key goal in this game, but it also was Häußle's second career goal in EBEL.

The Capitals were obiously looking to send the game to overtime. Simon Gamache almost had Madlener beaten on a nice feed by Ferland, but the Bulldogs were able to also win their second game of the season.

The Bulldogs victory was though not the only surprise of the evening. Orli Znojmo's impressive 7:1-win over defending champion Red Bull Salzburg caught the eyes of all EBEL fans, giving the Czechs the first place in the standings.

In the other games Bolzano was sent down to earth by the Black Wings Linz and also Fehervar, Villach and Klagenfurt picked up wins.

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