EBEL Quarterfinals - second games

HC Orli Znojmo – KHL Medvescak Zagreb  2:5  (0:2, 1:2, 1:1)

Orli Znojmo started their first ever EBEL play-offs home game very in aggressive way. They fired pucks towards Robert Kristan, Medvescak’s goalie, but he managed to keep his net empty. Guests were forced to stop Orli players by any means necessary and it resulted in four minor penalties inside first eight minutes, however – home team could not score. On the other side, Jan Seda was on penalty box for holding and Slava Trukhno scored for Medvescak in 15th minute (0:1, PP). That really schocked home team and Frank Banham added another goal 56 seconds later (0:2). Start of the second period once again belonged to Orli. They were desperately trying to change the course of the game, but Kristan was on top of their shots. Marek Cliak on the other side was beaten for the third time in 24th minute, when Joel Prpic scored. Martin Planek, Adam Havlik and Ales Stanek broadened frustrations of Orli with missing opportunities. For bad things to get worse, Tom Zanoski scored shorthanded goal for Bears in 38th minute (0:4). Another guest player had to go to penalty bin in following moments and Zmojmo finally scored in PP2 situation (1:4, Martin Planek, 39’). Greg Day killed tiny hope for Znojmo, as he scored fifth Medvescak’s goal in 44th minute (1:5). Martin Podesva scored second for Znojmo 33 seconds later (2:5). Some nice chances were missed later on both sides, but the result did not change until the final buzzer. Medvescak now leads the best-of-seven series with 2:0; teams meet again in Zagreb, Croatia on Thursday.

EC KAC - EC Red Bull Salzburg  5:4 (2:1,2:2,0:1,1:0) OT

Guests from Salzburg were obviously quite confident at the start of the game number two. Their first opportunities remained unused and punishment for that came in 11th minute when Johannes Reichel scored for home team (1:0). Goal woke up home team and the crowd. Red jackets doubled their lead in 20th minute; playing PP2, Stefan Geier did it (2:0). Red Bulls returning to full strength pulled one back 19 seconds later (2:1, Thomas Raffl). Second period was quite physical. Robbie Earl managed to level the score in 25th minute (2:2), but Mike Siklenka renewed home team's lead in 27th minute (3:2). Fast break from Brent Aubin provided Salzburg another equalizer in 34th minute (3:3). Home team showed their persistence and dedication 28 seconds later, when Tyler Scofield once again put them in lead (4:3). Marty Turco in front of Salzburg goal was in centre of attention in following minutes, as he stopped several dangerous shots from home team.  Third period was quite fluent, both teams fired numerous shots; the only one to score however was Andreas Kristler in 53rd minute for Red Bulls (4:4). Good 3600 fans witnessed overtime as a consequence and Raphael Herburger turned out to be home side hero - he scored the decisive goal for KAC in 64th minute (5:4). The best-of-seven series is now tied on one; teams meet in Salzburg on Thursday for the game Nr.3.

HDD Tilia Olimpija Ljubljana - SAPA Fehervar AV19  2:1 (0:0,1:1,0:0,1:0) OT

The disciplinary board surprisingly allowed JP Lamoureux to defend his net for Olimpija, despite unsportsmanlike behaviour on previous game. It resulted in better confidence for home players, which was shown at the beginning of the game. It was quickly calmed down, as home team played twice shorthanded during first six minutes. SAPA players really tested

home defence during that time, but players in green survived without concealing a goal. Marton Vas was on a quick counter attack in tenth minute, when SAPA played shorthanded, but Lamoureux saved the dangerous shot. Both teams focused on defence and no goals were scored in first period. Second period once again offered threads from guests and organized defending by players in green (Olimpija). Guests from Hungary took the lead in 26th minute, when Derek Ryan smartly deflected puck into Lamoureux' net (0:1). Home team was consequently forced to attack. Petr Sachl, Bostjan Golicic and David Sefic were denied by Adam Munro in SAPA's goal. Justin Taylor equalized in power play for Olimpija in 33rd minute (1:1) and it was the first PP play-offs goal for Olimpija in more than four years. Third period was nothing like a game in Szekesfehervar few days ago. Olimpija put strong pressure and guests were lucky not to conceal any goal. They anyway had a marvellous chance to win the game some 25 seconds before the end of period, when they had a breakaway with two on one, but Lamoureux saved his team with good reaction. Guests went into overtime shorthanded and it proved to be lethal for them, as John Hughes scored another PP goal for Olimpija in 62nd minute (2:1). Teams are now levelled with one win each; they meet again on Thursday in Szekesfehervar, Hungary.

UPC Vienna Capitals - EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz  2:3 (1:1,0:0,1:1,0:1) OT

 Capitals are certainly completely different team as they were in regular part of the season. 6400 fans gathered to support them and to help them in winning over Black Wings. Francois Fortier scored in 4th minute already (1:0). Rob Hisey equalized for Linz in 11th minute power-play (1:1). Two PP situations for Vienna in following minutes remained unused and both teams finished levelled after first period. Both teams focused on defence during second period and chances were very rare. Fortier missed one really nice for Vienna, but Pat Leahy and Mike Ouellette returned the favour on the other side. Fortier restored Capitals' lead in 45th minute (2:1). Guests did not give up and they equalized in 54th minute, when Gregor Baumgartner scored (2:2). Both teams were forced to decide the winner in overtime for the second time in three days. Capitals failed to score in PP situation and they were punished for that in 64th minute, when Martin Grabher-Meier scored the decisive goal for guests. Teams are now levelled with one win on each account and meet in Linz on Thursday for the game Nr.3.

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