EBEL - round 22

EC KAC – EHC Liwest Black wings Linz  5:3 (0:2,3:1,2:0)

Big and important games are following one after another in Klagenfurt. Wednesday’s win against Olimpija was already forgotten, derby of 22^nd round was played against leaders Black wings from Linz last night. KAC on second place was trailing eight points behind guests who are in great form this season. Home team players were eager to show some good hockey. They attacked guests’ right from the start, but Alex Westlund, guests’ goalie was unbeatable. Great self confidence and efficiency of Black wings was demonstrated in 13^th minute when mistake in KAC’s defence gave Linz an opportunity out of nothing and they used it to score an opening goal of the night (0:1). It shocked KAC players and Black wings benefited once again: Mike Ouellette scored in 17^th minute  (0:2) to extend the lead. It was all one way traffic after that, Linz demonstrated many reasons why they are on top of EBEL. First intermission was therefore saviour for KAC. They started better in second period; they put enormous pressure against guests. Raphael Herburger scored in 25^th minute for KAC (1:2). Fans were still on their feet when home team lost puck in front of their own goal and Danny Irmen extended guest’s lead once more (1:3, 27^th minute). Jordan Morrison fooled three Linz players and beat Westlund in 33^rd minute (2:3) and home fans exploded. It was a big boost for KAC and they attacked furiously. It was almost punished once again, but post saved home team, before Stefan Geier levelled the score in 38^th minute (3:3). It was KAC again at the beginning of third period who was better team. Markus Pirmann put them in front for the first time in 43^rd minute (4:3) and Dieter Kalt hit the post shortly after. Linz pushed strong during next minutes, but home defence was firm and confident. In fact, power play situation in 59^th minute killed any hope for guests, as John Lammers scored (5:3) to give KAC well deserved, hard-earned win. Gap between both teams on top is now 6 points, both teams meet again on Sunday in Linz.

HDD Tilia Olimpija Ljubljana – KHL Medvescak Zagreb  1:2 (0:1,1:1,0:0)

Medvescak won on Friday in Slovenia already – they won against Slovenian champions Jesenice, their star goalie Robert Kristan remained unbeaten. Olimpija on the other hand lost in Klagenfurt and was determined to win ever guests from Croatian capital. It would in fact be first ever win against Medvescak In Ljubljana, since Croatians are competing in EBEL. Another interesting fact: home goalie J.P Lamoreux and Robert Kristan are considered best goaltenders in league. Olimpija was offered a chance to score on power play right in the first minute. They managed to shoot one puck only towards Kristan, but with no real danger for guests. Medvescak came in front in 5^th minute when Sasa Martinovic beat Lamoreux (0:1). Pascal Morency continued his Friday’s behaviour from Jesenice, as he provoked Olimpija players, too. This time there was response: Bostjan Groznik answered, they fought and got 2+2+10 minutes of penalty each. Both teams were cautious later during the period, shots were rare. Medvescak scored on power play in 23^rd minute to extend the lead (0:2). Home team answered quickly: they needed 34 seconds only to come closer again (1:2). Olimpija’s hunt for an equalizer was expected, but guests were more dangerous during next minutes. Home goalie had to prove his qualities on number of occasions, Olimpija threatened once only, but Kristan was on top of his duty. There was 1:44 minutes of PP2 situation for Olimpija in the middle of period; Kristan saved four shots. It was Lamoreux who had to perform well in the next minutes, home team wasn’t dangerous at all. It looked that Morency was once again in the mood for boxing in 37^th minute, only this time it was Brad Cole his opponent. Both players were “awarded” with 10 minutes of cooling, Morency had to leave the ice... Another PP situation for Olimpija at the beginning of third period didn’t change anything. Home side had no idea of how to level the score. On the other side Adam Naglich missed to extend guest’s lead in 51^st minute, Joel Prpic also hit the post seconds after that. No real pressure against guests was presented in last minutes due to un-necessary penalties for Olimpija. Medvescak won for seventh consecutive time; it was also seventh win in seven EBEL games in Ljubljana for them. Both teams now have 24 points on their account; Medvescak is fourth, olimpija fifth on league standings.

EC Rekord fenster VSV – HK Acroni Jesenice  4:0 (1:0,2:0,1:0)

VSV used their chance to escape from bottom of league. Their opponents from other side of Karavanke mountain-chain came to Villach with 5 defenders only. Most of foreign players left Jesenice during last few days, although Lukas Hvila decided he’ll stay after all. He wasn’t in the team though. Guests started the game surprisingly good, pushed against home goalie Bernhard Starkbaum, but with no real result. Power play for guests was unused. On contrary, VSV benefited on first PP situation in 6^th minute when Slovenian national team player Greg Kuznik fired from blue line, Shane Toporowski deflected the puck in front of Gasper Kroselj and put his team in lead (1:0). Jesenice youngsters surprised with their will later during period, but Starkbaum stopped their shots. VSV scored another goal in 36^th minute when Kevin Mitchell’s two shots were saved by guest’s goalie, but Marco Pewal benefited on rebound (2:0). Shortly after another rebound was deflected into guest’s net and the winner was already known. Not that young players from Jesenice already resigned, but it is clear that they are not in great goal scoring form at the moment. Markus Peintner scored fourth goal for VSV in 46^th minute power play. Guests were trying to score at least consolation goal, they had opportunity to do that in PP2 situation, but Starkbaum remained unbeaten. Clear 4:0 win meant VSV is off the last spot in EBEL for the first time since end of September. Jesenice are on contrary new bottom side team, they are now one point behind Graz and VSV.

Sapa Fehervar AV19 – HC Orli Znojmo  2:3 (0:0,1:1,1:1,0:0,0:1) p.s.

Both teams decoded to play attacking hockey last night in Szekesfehervar, Hungary. Guests from Czech republic warned home team right in the first minute, when Petr Kanko missed early chance to score. Home goalie saved three more dangerous shots before Sapa answered in same style in 10^th minute. Guests hit the post after one of their shots and were in general closer to score an opener. Orli were also better and more dangerous side during most of second period, but Sapa defended well. Home side was in chance to score in PP situation in 38^th minute, but Kanko scored shorthanded for Znojmo (0:1). Guests’ lead lasted 96 seconds only as Balasz Ladanyi equalized during same power play (1:1). Eric Johansson put home side in lead after 41 seconds of third period (2:1). Guests showed their will to win the game later during the game; they equalized in 48^th minute when David Hajek scored on rebound (2:2, PP). Guests hit the post of home goal before end of third period to miss good opportunity for winning the game. There were three good opportunities unused in over time for Sapa, so penalty shots had to decide a winner. Martin Podesva scored decisive penalty shot for well deserved Znojmo win in Hungary. Sapa are sixth with 24 points, Orli are on eighth place with 17.

EC Red bull Salzburg – Moser medical Graz 99ers  5:4 (1:0,2:2,2:2)

Champions from Salzburg welcomed their coach back in the business; Pierre Page was absent for personal reasons since October 16^th. His team scored an opener in second minute already when Matthias Trattnig managed to benefit on third rebound. Zdenek Blatny missed the only big chance for Graz to equalize during the first period. On the other side, many nice opportunities for Red bulls weren’t used. Brett Lysak and Zdenek Blatny failed to score for Graz at the beginning of second period and home team answered quick; Daniel Welser scored his first goal of the season in 22^nd minute (2:0). Guests from Graz were more aggressive during next minutes, but it was home team who failed to score on four good chances. Lysak punished that with scoring a PP goal for 99ers in 35^th minute (2:1). Daniel Bois provided crucial passes for both of first Red bulls goals and added one of his own 38 seconds before second intermission (3:1). Yvan Busque scored his first ever EBEL goal only 11 seconds later (3:2) to give guests new hope for third period. Red bulls did not defend their lead in third period. Both teams played attacking hockey. First to score were 99ers: Jarrett equalized in 53^rd minute (3:3). Zdenek Blatny scored shorthanded goal in the next minute (3:4). Seconds later another Graz player had to go to penalty boxand Ramzi Abid equalized for Salzburg (4:4, 54^th minute, PP2). Great pass from Brent Aubin 8 seconds before final buzzer gave Robbie Earl chance he didn’t miss: a winning goal was scored (5:4). Salzburg is third with 26 points, Graz is down on tenth place with 16.

Schedule for next round, Sunday, November 20^th:

Ljubljana (SLO): HDD Tilia Olimpija – HK Acroni Jesenice

Znojmo (CZE): HC Orli Znojmo – Sapa Fehervar AV19

Linz: Black wings Linz – EC KAC

Graz: Graz 99ers – KHL Medvescak

Vienna: Vienna capitals – EC VSV

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