EBEL, Round 41

KHL Medvescak Zagreb – EC KAC  3:1 (1:0, 0:1, 2:0)
Third game in a series of Arena Ice Fever games took place last night in Zagreb, Croatia. After Slovenian and Hungarian champions, KAC was first Austrian team to appear on Arena Ice Fever. Zagreb Arena was sold out for the third time in a row – 15.200 fans packed the place. Both goalies, Robert Kristan (Medvescak) and Andy Chiodo (KAC) were in centre of attention at the start of the game. They stopped several dangerous shots. Chiodo was especially on test, as Bears fired pucks from all positions. Joel Prpic opened the scoring in 12th minute (1:0). Kristan performed miraculously close to the end of period to save his team’s lead. KAC was offered a chance to score in second period, but having played 5 on 3, they didn’t manage to score. Thomas Koch was denied by Kristan once in power play and once when played shorthanded. Guests were the dangerous team during the second period, and Dieter Kalt was next to miss a good chance to beat Kristan. Sasa Martinovic was penalized with 5+20 for checking against head in 35th minute and KAC finally equalized in PP after that. It was Christoph Brandner in 37th minute (1:1). Bears were keen to renew their lead in the final period; pucks flew towards his goal from everywhere. Adam Naglich scored in 44th minute to make the crowd delirious. Guests didn’t manage to put any serious pressure after that. In fact, Medvescak continued to dominate the ice, and Tom Zanoski hit the empty net in 60th minute to finish the scoring (3:1). Both teams already secured direct play-off spot. Medvescak remains second with 49 points, KAC is fourth with 44.

SAPA Fehervar AV19 – HDD TILIA Olimpija Ljubljana  6:7 (3:2, 0:2, 3:3)
Ales Music opened the scoring after 29 seconds already to put guests in the lead (0:1). Derek Ryan answered after 11 seconds already (1:1). Brock McBride added a goal of his own in 3rd minute to put guests in front once more. JP Lamoureux in front of guests’ net was forced to perform miracles as Ladislav Sikorcin, Krisztian Palkovics, Harlan Pratt, Chad Klassen and Csaba Kovacs fired dangerous pucks towards him. Marton Vas equalized for sapa anyway in 12th minute, while Sapa was shorthanded (2:2). Palkovics scored on rebound in 16th minute to put home team in the lead (3:2).  Marton Vas, Balint Magosi and Chad Klassen failed to score for Sapa on nice chances at the beginning of second period. Bostjan Golicic did it in 27th minute for guests (3:3). Another few nice opportunities were missed for Sapa by Ladanyi (twice), Andras Horvath and Arpad Mihaly. When Ryan also failed to score after fast break, it all seemed enchanted for home team players. Guests had perfect answer to that, as Music scored his second goal of the night in 37th minute (3:4). Sikorcin levelled the score once again in 41st minute (4:4), but John Hughes silenced the crowd in 42nd (4:5). Lamoureux saved another dangerous shot by Ladanyi and Jamie Fraser managed to extend guests’ lead in 46th minute (4:6). When Ziga Pance added one of his own in 49th minute (4:7) it was still eleven minutes to play. Sapa scored during 5 on 3 situation in 53rd minute (5:7) and 5 on 4 situation in 54th minute (6:7), but couldn’t equalize once again. That way Olimpija overtook Sapa in EBEL standings and is now fifth, Sapa is sixth. Neither of the teams secured direct play-off spot for now, but they’re very close.

EC REKORD-Fenster VSV – EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz  2:1 (0:1, 2:0, 0:0)
Seems like Black Wings are slowly losing their form right before crucial part of the season. They are however still comfortable on top of the league and they’ll stay there until the end of first part of the season. Their results during last few rounds are not that convincing though. Eagles from Villach dominated the ice right from the start of the game. Stefan Bacher and Nico Toff missed nice chances for VSV during opening minutes. Guests were luckier and Mike Ouellette put them in the lead in 12th minute. Three power play situations for Villach after that remained unused. Both teams played attacking hockey in second period and chances were missed on both sides. Mario Altmann levelled the score in 30th minute (1:1). It was a big boost for home team and VSV were dominating the ice in following minutes. They scored in 38th minute when Mike Craig put them in the lead (2:1). Eagles failed to extend their lead during opening minutes of the final period and guests became more and more dangerous. They couldn’t score though and VSV won. Black wings remain first in EBEL, VSV is ninth, with only theoretical chances to direct play-off spot left.

Moser Medical Graz99ers – HC Orli Znojmo  2:1 (2:0, 0:1, 0:0)
Graz 99ers four previous home wins gave them pretty good self-confidence before last night's game against Orli. Guests – already without any chances for a direct play-off spot – proved to be tough opposition. Patrick Harand put home team in the lead in 6th minute (1:0). A very nice combination of Graz’ players in 11th minute extended their lead as Toni Dahlman finished it with another goal (2:0). Richard Jarusek failed to score for Czechs in their only goal scoring opportunity during the first period. Both teams were more equal during the second period and Jiri Beroun managed to score for guests in 26th minute. Zdenek Blatny failed to score for Graz later during period. 99ers failed to score with 5 on 3 situation on the ice at the beginning of third period. Petr Kanko on the other side missed a nice chance to equalize in 46th minute. Czechs failed to capitalize on two power play situations after that and were forced to try to level the score without their goalie during last 30 seconds, but they couldn’t. 99ers are now seventh, theoretic chances to grab a direct play-off spot still exist, but they are unlikely to fulfil. Orli are tenth without any chances.

UPC Vienna Capitals – EC Red Bull Salzburg  3:4 (2:1,1:2,0:0,0:1) OT
It’s all clear now: Capitals don’t have any chances left to secure direct play-off spot. They lost last night’s game against RB Salzburg in over-time, they lost one place in EBEL and they lost their last chance to remain in the race for sixth spot. There are however chances to qualify for two places available when last five teams in EBEL will play another 8 rounds to decide on that. Taylor Holst put them in the lead against reigning champions of EBEL in 3rd minute (1:0). Capitals looked very motivated and were dominating the ice in the first period. Marcel Rodman scored second for Vienna in 13thminute PP (2:0). Andreas Kristler managed to put Salzburg closer in 18th minute (2:1). Guests were better from minute to minute during the second period. Yet they failed to capitalize on 5 on 3 situation for the whole two minutes. Manuel Latusa then equalized the score in 33rd minute (2:2). Capitals woke up after that and became dangerous themselves. Francois Fortier put them in the lead in 35th minute (3:2), but Ramzi Abid equalized once more in 38th (3:3). Few chances were missed on both sides during the third period and both goalies performed brilliant, as well. Pat Kavanagh was given minor penalty for slashing in overtime and guests used their chance to win the game – Doug Lynch scored in 64th minute (3:4). Red Bulls remain on third position in EBEL, equal on points with Medvescak. Vienna Capitals are now eighth.

Schedule for 42nd round, January 15th, 2012:
Znojmo (CZE): Orli Znojmo – KAC
Szekesfehervar (HUN): Sapa AV19 – Acroni Jesenice
Ljubljana (SLO): Olimpija – Graz 99ers
Zagreb (CRO): Medvescak – VSV
Linz: BW Linz – RB Salzburg

 

Advanced player search

Tweets by @eurohockey