EBEL Quarterfinals - sixth games

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

Reigning champions are out!! KAC’s break-win on Tuesday in Salzburg proved crucial and more than 5000 fans packed arena in Klagenfurt. Thomas Koch opened the scoring in 13^th minute for KAC (1:0), but Robbie Earl levelled the score 31 seconds later (1:1). Both teams played with strong intension to score during first period. Markus Pirmann scored second goal for KAC in 16^th minute (2:1). Beginning of the second period was dominated by home team and Marty Turco in front of Red Bull’s goal was really under the pressure. It all resulted in 26^th minute Paul Schellander goal for home team (3:1). Salzburg never really answered in the same style and KAC was two goals in front before final period. Many expected offensive by guests in the last period, but it just did not happened. Joey Tenute scored fourth goal for home team in 49^th minute (4:1). Thomas Rafl scored for guests in 52^nd minute (4:2) to give guests a ray of hope. Guests tried to do something in following minutes, but home team was focused. Red Bulls pulled Turco off the ice – and added another skater - more than three minutes before the final buzzer, but it resulted in Stefan Geier’s empty-net goal for KAC in 58zh minute. That way KAC progressed to semi-finals winning the series with 4:2 in wins.

UPC Vienna Capitals – EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz  4:2 (3:1, 0:0, 1:1)

Strange things happened last night in Wien. Game number six in best-of-seven was played and Vienna was forced to win to remain in the competition. Jonathan Ferland scored power-play goal for Vienna in 12^th minute (1:0), but it was very controversial one. Many believe that the puck actually bounced off the crossbar, but referees decided after video studies that the goal needs to be called. Gregor Baumgartner levelled the score in 16^th minute (1:1), but Phil Lakos renewed Vienna’s lead 69 seconds later (2:1). Jonathan Ferland added another goal in 19^th minute to extend Capitals’ lead (3:1). Middle period was mostly quiet. Although some chances occurred on both sides, no goals were scored. Adrian Veideman gave guests some hope in 50^th minute (3:2). Nervous game in following minutes provided numerous penalties. Guests were punished for Michael Mayr’s tripping in 55^th minute, as Andre Lakos scored another power-play goal for capitals in following minute (4:2). Seventh game in series follows on Sunday in Linz.

HDD TILIA Olimpija Ljubljana - SAPA Fehervar AV19  4:3 (1:1, 2:1, 1:1)

Finally full house in Ljubljana! Home team's management needed to allow free entrance for public during regular season's games to attract some people. Well, not this time. 4500 fans gathered to support (mostly) home team and the atmosphere was really fantastic. Home team, playing without many injured and for disciplinary reasons absent players produced heroics. SAPA needed a win to stay in the competition, but was never close. Home team was faster, more dedicated and supported by fanatic fans. SAPA's coach changed some lines for the sixth game and home team was forced to compete with their third goalie, 20-year old Mativ Boh. Typical lethal breakaway for SAPA took place in 11th minute and Marton Vas finished it with an opening goal of the night (0:1). Igor Cvetek's shot from the blue line levelled the score in 16th minute (1:1), although some believe that Ken Ograjensek deflected the puck a bit in front of Adam Munro. Second period started with a good chance for SAPA, but Boh managed to save Istvan Sofron's try. The only penalty Olimpija committed in the game took place in 25th minute, but guests were unable to score. Derek Ryan (SAPA) had to go to the penalty bin in 27th minute and Ales Music scored on rebound in power-play after that (2:1). Another PP situation followed for home team, only with opposite result. Marton Vas and Balasz Ladanyi performed quick counter attack and Vas scored shorthanded (2:2). Penalty shod was refereed for Olimpija in 36th minute and Brock McBride scored with a brilliant shot to the top left corner of Munro (3:2). SAPA's tries in third period were denied by fanatic home team. Istvan Sofron, Balasz Ladanyi and Derek Ryan missed opportunities to level the score, but Harlan Pratt (once Olimpija's player) equalized for guests anyway in 47th minute (3:3). Both teams were cautious in following minutes, focusing mostly on defence. However, olimpija was the dangerous team, as SAPA's players committed some unnecessary mistakes and were forced to play shorthanded. Arpad Mihaly's delaying the game penalty proved to be fatal for guests, as Ales Music deflected the puck on John Hughes shot in 58th minute power-play for Olimpija (4:3). Crowd went nuts and they almost took the roof off of old Hala Tivoli. Guests tried to equalize without their goalie and with an extra attacker, but were unable to do so. Full house deducted seconds during final countdown and home team finished this series with 4:2 in wins.

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