VSV eliminates the Caps, Red Bull struggles

06 Mar 2016Lucas Bradelj»

The Vienna Capitals faced Villacher SV in a ‘do-or-die‘ fifth playoff game. The Eagles stole one more one on the road, becoming the first team to qualify for the EBEL semifinals.

In Game 4 Rick Schofield capitalized a penalty shot in overtime to give Villach the chance to clinch the series in Vienna. Schofield, with four goals the best playoff scorer of the league thus far, wanted to continue his streak in the early minutes of the game. The 28-year old forward worked his way through the Capitals’ defence, only to be denied by net minder Nathan Lawson. Vienna fourth line responded as Nikolaus Hartl brought the puck on net and Julian Grosslechner converted the rebound for the 1-0 lead. VSV’s checking line did not want to stand by and took it in their hands, but Dustin Johner could not beat Lawson. Gerhard Unterluggauer had another opportunity for the guests on a great feed by Schofield. However, Vienna would keep the one-goal-lead after 20 minutes of play.

Julian Grosslercher celebrates the 1-0 lead for Vienna in the first period.

The Eagles did not waste lots of time in the middle frame and took only 18 seconds to tie the game. A gorgeous combination by Villach’s top line completed by Benjamin Petrik made it a 1-1 game. Villach was able to kill off a couple of PK situations, gaining even more confidence. The Capitals turned the puck over in their own zone and in the 30^th minute and it was again Petrik to take advantage. Eric Hunter even had the chance to gain a two-goal-lead, but this time the puck would not cross the goal line.

Benjamin Petrik makes it 1-2 for VSV.

The Capitals seemed to have lost the momentum, before in the 38^th minute Matthew Dzieduszycki put the puck into the slot and former NHL-er Andreas Nödl delivered. The game would go into the second intermission with the teams tied at two goals each.

The 6300 fans in ‘Albert Schultz Halle’ took a deep breathe in the 50th minute when Daniel Nageler was alone in front of Lawson, who though kept the game tied with a sprawling pad save. Shortly after J.P. Lamoureux proved his qualities with another great save on Jamie Johnson, stacking his pads. On the counter attack VSV-forward Ziga Pance was robbed off a sure goal, sending the game into overtime.

In extra time, Christof Kromp had the series on his stick in the 62^nd minute, but he was not able to score from the slot. The Eagles got a chance to win the game in the man advantage and they did not waste it. Dustin Johner deflected Matthias Schlacher’s shot, sending his team to the semi-finals.

For the Vienna Capitals ended a disappointing season. Even though starting the season as the biggest favourite to take down defending champion Red Bull Salzburg, they lacked consistency throughout the season. This, and their poor discipline were the main reasons for the Capital's early playoff exit against the hard working team from Villach.

Red Bull struggles against KAC, Linz and Znojmo take the lead

Defending champion Red Bull Salzburg is facing elimination, as 8^th seeded Klagenfurter AC was able to win Game 5 in Salzburg to take a 3-2 series lead. Thomas Koch scored the overtime winner for the Carinthians.

Znojmo will have the chance to clinch the series in Dornbirn on Tuesday thanks to a 5-2 win. The Bolzano Foxes lost the home ice advantage again in front a sold-out Palaonda with a 4-6 defeat. They will try to return to their 7200 spectators by winning Game 6 in Linz.