EBEL - 35th round commentary

Sapa Fehervar AV19 – EC Red Bull Salzburg 1:4 (0:1,1:1,0:2)

Goal scoring opportunities begun to appear on both sides of the ice right from beginning of the game. Andras Benk and Andras Horvath missed nice chances to score for Sapa before Dominique Heinrich did the same on the other side. Atomic start from both teams ended when Steven Regier scored for guests in 4^th minute (1:0). Both teams took more care about defense in upcoming minutes. Although there were some more chances on both sides, result didn't change in the first period. Derek Ryan couldn't control the puck in a nice rebound opportunity at the beginning of second period and guests were saved temporarily. Anyway, Sapa equalized in 25^th minute when Istvan Sofron's nice solo effort finished with puck in guests' net (1:1). Sapa fans were still in delight when 15 seconds later Salzburg renewed the lead (1:2). Home team players put enormous pressure on guests after that, missed several good chances, including hitting the post, but Salzburg managed to stay one goal in front before final period. Third period looked pretty much the same: Sapa attacked, Red Bulls defended well. Power play for Salzburg in 56^th minute then probably decided the winner – Daniel Bois scored for guests (1:3). Home teams in shock received another puck in their net only 76 seconds later (1:4). Sapa remains on 5^th position in the league, but the followers are getting closer. Red Bulls are on second position.

UPC Vienna Capitals – HK Acroni Jesenice 4:2 (1:0, 1:1, 2:1)

Winners from previous round Slovenian derby came to Wien trying to keep up the agility, skills and aggression they showed against Olimpija. Capitals of course won last round's game in Villach and are in hunt after sixth place in the league, which enables direct play-off position. Home team put strong pressure on guests at the beginning of the game, but guests found themselves in a good chance to score first. Tomi Hafner did not manage to beat home goalie after big defensive mistake by Ross Lupaschuk in 9^th minute. Vienna scored then first in 13^th minute when Martin Oraze was successful. Seconds later Vienna players hit the post of Gasper Kroselj's goal. Some nice chances to increase the lead were missed later on. Vienna did not manage to score on two PP opportunities during the second period and guests felt there's a chance to do some more. And they did it – Jonathan Juliano equalized in 36^th minute. Dan Bjornlie then used another power play chance for Vienna and scored 28 seconds before second intermission to renew home team's lead (2:1). Guests missed two nice chances during first minutes of third period before Bjornlie repeated his job- he scored in PP in 50^th minute (3:1). Young Slovenian players didn't manage to put any serious pressure on Vienna after that. In fact, Benoit Gratton increased the lead for Capitals in 55^th minute (4:1). Matic Zajsek, Acroni Jesenice youngster added his first ever EBEL goal in 59^th minute to finish the scoring (4:2). Capitals are up one place to seventh now, trailing sixth place for three points. Acroni Jesenice are on bottom of the league.

KHL Medvescak Zagreb – HC Orli Znojmo 6:4 (1:0, 2:3, 3:1)

Medvescak lost last home game against Graz (0:1) not scoring and Bears were really eager to improve on that. On the other side, Orli believed they can still catch up other teams in hunt for sixth place. Many pucks were shot towards guests goal at the beginning of the game, but when Orli sorted their minds and focused, they surprisingly dominated on Dom Sportova ice. Tomas Kominek (Znojmo) also hit the post on one occasion, but it was home team who opened the scoring in 17^th minute power play (1:0). Lubomir Stach equalized in 25^th minute (1:1), but Frank Banhma renewed Medvescak's lead in 28^{th (2:1)}. Ales Stanek equalized for Znojmo in 32^nd minute (2:2). Game now open on both sides offered many nice chances to score on both sides and it was guests who scored first: Peter Pucher put Znojmo in lead in 38^th minute ( 2:3). Slava Trukhno equalized for Zagreb 18 seconds before second pause (3:3). Another five goals were scored during last period. Ryan Kinasewich was first to score in 43^rd minute (4:3), but guests equalized once again in 52^nd (4:4). Guests' goalie Filip Landsman injured four minutes before final buzzer and Ondrej Kacetl came in. Still cold, playing short handed, he received puck in his net by Slava Trukhno (57', 5:4). Guests decided to try to equalize with extra skater and no goalie during last minute, but Kinasewich managed to score an empty netter for Bears (6:4). Medvescak is third with 41points, Orli Znojmo are 10^th with 26.

Moser Medical Graz 99ers – EC Rekord fenster VSV 2:0 (0:0,0:0,2:0)

Second important game with direct opponents for sixth place fo Villach in a row. And second lost, too! Importance of the game did not prevent both teams to attack in search of leading goal. Both defenses were focused though and no goals were scored during first period. Second period offered as much as four consecutive power play situations for 99ers. All unused. Later on, VSV failed to score on two PP situations of their own and another period finished goalless. Graz opened the scoring in another power play in 46^th minute (1:0) when Zdenek Blatny scored. VSV desperately tried to equalize in forthcoming minutes; Craig Weller alone failed to score on three good goal scoring chances, including hitting the post of home goal. Unfortunately for him and his team fast break after that gave Graz another goal: Brett Lysak scored final goal of the game in 55^th minute (2:0). VSV is now down one place to eighth, trailing sixth place by 5 points. 99ers have another point less and are on ninth place.

HDD Tilia Olimpija – EC Liwest Bw Linz 2:1 (0:1,1:0,0:0,0:0,1:0)

Offering free tickets finally got some attendance in Tivoli. Dissapointed Olimpija players were left without their captain due to his stupid attack on referees after last round's Slovenian derby. In fact, Ziga Pance must be lucky he received only three games ban for that action. Jamie Fraser was first in chance to score for home team, but Alex Westlund kept his net clear in first minute. It was quiet minutes after that on both sides. First real excitement for spectators happened in 12^th minute when Mike Ouellette failed to score for Linz on two nice chances. Gueast were dominating on Tivoli ice after that and they scored the leading goal in 15^th minute (0:1). Olimpija failed to score on PP situation after that. Although Black wings failed to score on nice breakaway at the beginning of second period, home team showed more aggression and determination. Having not used power play, guests were punished by equalizing goal for Ljubljana in 28^th minute (1:1). Both teams were trying to get in front after that, but no goals were scored. Last period passed by many ineffective home team's attempts to score, but (once Olimpija's) guests' goalie Alex Westlund was unbeatable. Both teams were cautious in over time; Olimpija failed to score on PP situation during last minute as well. Penalty shots were beneficial for home players as all three of them beat Westlund. That way Olimpija beat Linz for the first time this season. Ljubljana is still on sixth place, three points in front of Vienna on seventh. Linz is comfortably on top of the league with ten points advantage.

Schedule for 36^th round, January 1^st, 2012:

Jesenice (SLO): Acroni Jesenice – Red Bull Salzburg

Linz: Black wings Linz – Orli Znojmo

Graz: Graz 99ers – EC KAC

Villach: EC VSV – Sapa Fehervar

Wien: Vienna Capitals – Olimpija Ljubljana

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