Caps earn three points against pesky Slovenian Dragons

The game started as expected with the Capitals trying to control the game and the Slovenians looking to capitalize on their opponent’s mistakes with a fast transition play. Gregor Koblar also found such a counter attack, but was unable to convert. In the 8^th minute Ljubljana even forced Vienna to take two penalty minutes, but it was the Austrians to almost score the tie breaker with Andreas Nödl and Michael Schiechl. In the 13^th minute goalie Olivier Roy was again almost beaten by Kurtis McLean, but this time the 24-year old Canadian goaltender was helped out by his left post.

In the 14^th minute it was the road team to gain the surprising lead. Stefan Chaput’s wrister from the blue line was deflected by Ales Music, leaving David Kickert no chance to stop the puck.

The joy for the go-ahead goal was though overshadowed by a shocking incidence behind Kickert’s net. Ljublijana’s Giulalme Desbiens remained laid out on the ice, as he unfortunately fell on the ice head-first following a bodycheck.

In the final minute of the first period, the Slovenians even had the chance to double the lead, but Andrej Tavzelj was denied by an incredible pad save by the sprawling David Kickert.

Ljubljana though did not waste their first chance in the second period. Roland Kaspitz, one of three Austrians playing for the Slovenian representative in EBEL, crashed the net hard and Matej Hocevar had all the time in the world to convert on the rebound.

The Vienna Capitals needed a momentum chancer fast and it also took them only 3 minutes to turn the game around. In the 28^thminute Derek Whitmore cut the lead beating Roy for the first time, before Andreas Nödl erased it with the tying goal on a lucky bounce off the skates of Slovenian defenceman Miha Logar. Danny Bois, on a perfect feed by Nödl, even made it 3:2 for the Vienna Capitals, a lead which the Austrians were able to defend until the end of the middle frame.

The Capitals seemed to have the game under control, but it was the Dragons to find the equalizer on the man advantage. Kickert was screened and Anze Ropret was able to bring the puck behind the goal line. Immediately after Vienna had to kill of another penalty, but this time Andrej Hebar’s hammer from the point was easily catched by the 23-year old Austrian net minder.

In the 45^th minute Florian Iberer hit the post on an odd-man-rush, but 5 minutes later he put the puck top shelf from the blue line, regaining the 4:3 lead for the EBEL vice champions.

In the 55^th minute Derek Whitmore tipped the puck in, getting the desive toch on Jamie Fraser’s shot to ensure the victory.

With this victory, the Caps climb on 3rd place, which they share with the Sharks from Innsbruck. Znojmo is still leading the league after the 5:3 victory over Fehervar. The past two champions, Red Bul Salzburg and Bolzano Foxes, are also improving their record with victories in Villach and Klagenfurt.

Despite the loss, Olivier Roy played a fantastic game in net.

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