EBEL - eighth round review

Sapa Fehervar AV19 – KHL Medvescak Zagreb  3:2 (1:2,1:0,0:0,1:0) ot

It was a bit of a surprise: the game between Hungarian and Croatian champions started with some serious misunderstandings in Sapa’s defense and the guests from Zagreb had missed quite a few nice goal chances. They did score in the 10^th minute though when Harlan Pratt once again made a mistake in the home defense and Pascal Morency gave the guests the lead. Derek Ryan who is in great form leveled the score in the 16^th minute with a two-man advantage on the ice for Sapa, but in the 18^th the Croatian champions renewed their lead. There was a lot of pressure towards guests goal during the second period, but nets stayed empty until the 33^rd minute when Sapa leveled the score for 2:2. The crowd saw penalty shot in the third period, but Sapa missed it and the game went in overtime. It was a beautiful pass from Eric Johansson which decided the game as Istvan Sofron finished it during the last minute of the overtime to secure Sapa’s second win in a row.

HDD Tilia Olimpija – UPC Vienna Capitals  2:1 (1:0,0:0,0:1,0:0,1:0) ps

Olimpija proved last night to be in really good form early in the season. Tough opponents as they may be, Vienna were given the taste of Olimpija in the 7^th minute already, when Finnish international Tomi Mustonen scored on the power play to give the home team the lead. Vienna had their own chances during first period, too, but they were either not precise enough or home goalie stopped their shots. The poor crowd in Tivoli did not see any good hockey during the second period; they did see some boxing though, but the result didn’t change. Vienna leveled the score 6 minutes from full time and pushed strong for another guest win this season, but the home goalie was in great form last night. There were no goals in overtime. Penalty shots offered one goal for Vienna and two goals for home team to keep Olimpija points-leveled on top of the league with KAC.

EC KAC – HC Orli Znojmo  5:1 (3:0,2:0,0:1)

One point lost on Friday really gave boost to the league leaders. Orli Znojmo managed to compete with KAC during the first ten minutes and they missed a few early chances as well. KAC scored the leading goal in the 11^th minute to dominate the ice until the first buzzer – they scored two more in the 15^th and 17^th minute. KAC concentrated on defending high lead during second period, leaving Znojmo a lot of space on the ice and waiting for their own chances. A 5 on 3 situation was good enough for KAC in 36^th minute to extend their lead (4:0) and another 36 seconds with 5 on 4 on the ice were enough to score the fifth goal in the 37^th. The guests scored two minutes before the final buzzer to prevent home goalie Rene Swette from his second shut out of the season, but KAC won comfortably 5:1 to stay on top of the league standings.

Moser Medical Graz 99ers – HK Acroni Jesenice  3:2 (2:0,1:1,0:1)

The most noticeable moment of the first period of last night’s game happened in the 5^th minute when Martin Tuma, Czech defender for Jesenice was hit. Some reports are he was hit with stick from one of the Graz players and another are he just lost his consciousness after he was hit against the board. None of the four referees did not see anything!!! However, medical staff actually saved his life as Tuma swallowed his tongue being unconscious. He ended up in a local hospital, but he was later released and went home with the rest of the team. Back to the game: Jesenice’s concentration was torn after that event and Graz scored in the 9^th and 11^th minute to lead 2:0 after first period. The second period offered some nice hockey, good combining from both teams and goals from both sides. Tomi Hafner scored for Jesenice in 29^th (2:1) and Graz extended their lead in 31^st minute power play (3:1). The final period was marked by Jesenice. They pushed hard to level things up, but home goalie Fabian Weinhandl was in really good form. James Sixsmith scored his first goal of the season in 53^rd minute (3:2) to gave Jesenice hope. Graz hit the post in 55^th and Jesenice pulled out their goalie 90 seconds from time, but the result remained 3:2 for 99ers. Graz won their third home game in a row leaving Jesenice at the bottom of the league.

Martin Tuma, Acroni Jesenice

EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz – EC Red Bull Salzburg  6:4 (4:2,0:1,2:1)

Some strange exchanges were made by the guest's coach last night: top scorers of the team Thomas Raffl and Rob Earl were forced to play in defense and defense-man Brent Aubin played an offensive role. Linz is the most scoring team in the league and the guest’s goalie was much occupied during the first minutes. It all resulted in 9^th, 10^th and 12^th minute goals for Linz (3:0). The goalie was then changed for Salzburg and Raffl and Aubin proved they can play their exchanged roles, too: Raffl passed and Aubin scored in the 14^th minute (3:1), and Williams scored in the 17th to come even closer (3:2), but Linz answered in a strong manner: Philipp Lukas scored a shorthanded goal in the 19^th minute (4:2). The first minutes of the second period were dominated by Linz and Red Bull’s coach was forced to take time out. One way traffic was stopped that way and Salzburg managed to score in the 29^th minute (4:3). Not much happened after that as the game went a bit quiet until the second buzzer. Salzburg leveled the score in the 50^th minute (4:4). Linz was offered a chance to win when they had 5 minutes man advantage on the ice, but they hit the post only. Linz scored in the 57^th minute though  (5:4) to put pressure on Red Bulls. Salzburg pulled their goalie out of the net and put an extra player on the ice 90 seconds from time, but was punished immediately as Mike Ouelette hit the empty net to secure Black Wings another home win in what turned out to be very entertaining game.

Schedule for 9^th round, Friday, October 7^th:

Villach: EC Rekord Fenster VSV – EHC Black Wings Linz

Jesenice (SLO): HK Acroni jesenice – HC Orli Znojmo

Salzburg: Red Bull Salzburg – KHL Medvescak Zagreb

Klagenfurt: EC KAC – Vienna Capitals

Szekesfehervar (HUN): Sapa Fehervar AV19 – Tilia Olimpija

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