EBEL; Second part of the season - round 5

Nothing seems to attract fans in Ljubljana! Olimpija is playing well, there are good results, but their ice-hall is half-empty on most of the games. It was exactly the same last night, when both Dragons teams appeared on the ice. First period wasn’t pure entertainment as none of the teams played particularly well. Miha Verlic was denied by KAC goalkeeper Andy Chiodo in the biggest opportunity for home team during first period. On the other side, Thomas Koch was stopped by JP Lamoureux. Hero from two nights ago Ziga Pance lost the puck in the attacking zone and allowed guests a fast breakaway in 13^th minute and John Lammers scored the only goal of the period (0:1). Second period was better. John Hughes missed a nice chance for home team in 25^th minute, but Manuel Geier returned the favour on the other side in following moments. Hughes the equalized in PP for Ljubljana in 31^st minute (1:1) and added another PP goal in 35^th minute (2:1). When Brock McBride added the third power-play goal for home team in 43^rd minute it was all decided. Guests tried to do something in their own PP later, but Mike SIklenka hit the post only. Guests were playing for the last 2:25 without their goalie, trying to score with an extra skater, but nothing happened. Olimpija remains fourth with six points and KAC is on the bottom of TOP6 group with 3 points.

UPC Vienna Capitals – HC Orli Znojmo  4:6 (2:1, 1:4, 1:1)

Antonin Boruta opened the scoring in 4th minute when he scored for Znojmo (0:1). Dan Bjornlie equalized in 6^th minute PP for Vienna (1:1) and Jonathan Ferland added another goal for Capitals 38 seconds later (2:1) to comlete turn-around and the scoring for first period. Martin Podesva equalized in 22^nd minute (2:2) and Jan Trojan gave Orli another lead 81 seconds later (2:3). Capitals were in shock and conceded another goal in 25^th minute, when Jan Lattner scored (2:4). Petr Kanko extended guests’ lead in 37^th minute (2:5), but Phillippe Lakos managed to put Vienna one goal closer in 39^th minute (3:5). Marcel Rodman scored for Capitals in 42^nd minute (4:5) and it was a ray of hope for home team. Filip Gunnarsson and Jonathan Ferland missed a good opportunities to equalize in following minutes. Capitals also couldn’t score when playing 5 on 3 and Ferland was unlucky hitting the post later. Desperate attemts for an equalizing goal without goalie and an extra player ended up with an empty-net goal by Ales Stanek in 60^th minute. Capitals are now fourth with five points and are not looking good at the moment. Znojmo is now in the second place of Qualification Group with seven points.

Moser Medical graz 99ers - HK Acroni Jesenice  1:2 (0:0, 1:0, 0:1, 0:0, 0:1) PS

Although nobody really counts on Jesenice anymore – everybody needs to count on them.  They presented that last night even better than two days ago against VSV. Coming in Graz, Jesenice were yet to win the first point in this qualification round. Jan Bercic was first to miss a good opportunity for guests at the beginning of the game. Graz 99ers actually dominated the ice, but just couldn't produce any dangerous situations in front of Michal Fikrt's goal. Toni Dahlman hit the metalwork of guest’s goal, but the first period was goalless. Graz was better from the start of the second period, but as the time passed guests were more and more dangerous. The only goal scored though was Sven Klimbacher’s for 99ers in 29^th minute (1:0). Two power-play situations for Graz in third period did not gave them any real opportunities to extend the lead and guests were threatening to equalize. They did so with only two seconds remain in the game – Antti Pusa equalized the result (2:2). Both teams were offered a chance to decide a game playing with a man advantage in overtime, but nothing happened. Guests then scored all three penalty shots after that to grab their first points in Qualification Group. They are however still on the bottom with minimum chances to progress to play-offs. Graz on the other hand is leading this group with 8 points.

Schedule for 6^th round, Friday, February 3^rd, 2012:

TOP 6 Group:
Salzburg: RB Salzburg – BW Linz

Klagenfurt: EC KAC – Sapa Fehervar

Zagreb (CRO): Medvescak – Olimpija

Qualification Group:
Znojmo (CZE): Orli Znojmo – Graz 99ers

Villach: EC VSV – HK Jesenice