EBEL Semi-finals; first games

EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz – HDD TILIA Olimpija Ljubljana  4:2 (0:0, 1:1, 3:1)

First semi-final game for Black Wings took place 48 hours after great, but strange win over Vienna. Home team, probably still tired from the long quarter finals series did extraordinary right from the start. They put strong pressure towards guests' goal, but Olimpija's defensive play covered it all. Opening minutes of the game were mostly played in guests' zone, but Matija Pintaric – who, by the way, was back for this game after six game suspension – kept his sheets clean. It took more than 12 minutes for guests to fire the first dangerous puck towards Alex Westlund (their former goalie). Brian Lebler and Justin Keller were quite unlucky not to score towards the end of first period, as they both hit the post of Pintaric’s goal. On the other side, Domen Vedlin could put his team in the lead, but period finished with no scoring. Vedlin’s miss at the end of first period was announcement of what was to happen: Olimpija scored in 23^rd minute – Ziga Pance’s goal was quite a shock for home team (0:1). As a consequence to that, Ales Music almost doubled the lead for guests few moments later, but Westlund managed to save the dangerous shot. Igor Cvetek’s holding-penalty in 29^th minute helped home team to level the score – Brian Lebler scored on a power-play (1:1). Equalizing goal once again turned the course of the game and Black Wings created chance after chance in following minutes. Daniel Oberkofler and Martin Grabher-Meier missed the best chances to put Linz in the lead and it was 1:1 after two periods. Guests, focusing on defense, did not allow home team to create any real chance at the beginning of third period. Danny Irmen’s PP goal in 49^th minute then finally gave home team deserved lead (2:1). Not that Olimpija already gave up – Igor Cvetek equalized in 52^nd minute (2:2). At that point guests sensed their opportunity to win and created some chances, but Westlund did not allow them to score. Time out was called by Rob Daum (Linz’s coach) and it gave some energy and ideas to home team. Curtis Murphy renewed Linz’s lead in 56^th minute (3:2). Most of spectators expected guests attacking in final minutes, but Gregor Baumgartner prevented that with fourth goal for Linz in 58^th minute (4:2). Linz now leads in semi-final series. Black Wings performed well in attacking zone and revealed some confusion after receiving goals. Guests proved as tough opposition. Their defensive style of play is hard to beat and they’ll sure be dangerous themselves during this series. Next game will take place in Ljubljana, Slovenia on Thursday, March 8^th, 2012.

KHL Medvescak Zagreb – EC-KAC  0:4 (0:1, 0:2, 0:1)

Medvescak express stormed through the quarter finals. Home team players were on rest while other teams had to play their games. KAC par example had to play two games more in quarter finals. It seems now that additional two games kept team from Klagenfurt in the rhythm and even improved their overall performance – and it probably is the opposite for home team. To be fair, Medvescak players put enormous pressure at the beginning of the game, but KAC’s defense was very well organized and focused. Two power-play situations for home team during first six minutes of course helped Medvescak to attack for most of the time, but Andy Chiodo in front of KAC’s net was on top of every single shot. Surviving an early siege, KAC managed to open the scoring on the other side. Thomas Koch’s marvelous back-hander finished into Robert Kristan’s net in 12^th minute (0:1). It took most of the steam out of Medvescak’s machine and guests were quite dangerous until the end of first period. Home team of course tried to level the score at the beginning of second period, but they couldn’t score. On the other side, Raphael Herburger doubled KAC’s lead in 29^th minute (0:2). Slashing took Frank Banham (Medvescak) on penalty box in 36^th minute ad Stefan Geier scored PP goal for guests (0:3). Third goal made home team players nervous and Banham’s rough check against head caused a mass brawl in 40^th minute. Manny players from both teams fought on the ice and even Kristan and Chiodo performed a boxing match. Referees decided to end the second period without allowing teams to play remaining 18 seconds in it. Tensions were somehow calmed down during the intermission. Refs decided to give KAC players all together 106 minutes of penalties and Medvescak players total of 133 minutes for the mass brawl. Final period was not so exciting after that, as both teams missed a lot of players. Medvescak was unable to put real pressure on guests. KAC actually scored another goal, as Tyler Scofield effectively finished his fast-break in 52^nd minute (0:4). It was final goal of the night and KAC finished this firs game in semi-final series with a shutout win. Game number two takes place in Klagenfurt on Thursday, March 8^th, 2012.

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