A Sharp boost of hope

The Vienna Capitals, after a strong second part of the regular season, picked Villacher SV as its opponent in the quarter finals. The Carinthian Eagles resulted as a tough opponent in the first two games of the series, taking a 2-0 lead. On home ice, the Capitals wanted to strike back.

In the first twenty minutes of play, Villach looked hungrier and Caps-goalkeeper Nathan Lawson was the busier net minder. The Canadian net minder was especially tested by Ziga Pance and Patrick Platzer. Vienna, clearly feeling the absence of suspended defenceman Troy Milam, had to suffer the dominance of VSV also at the beginning of the second period. However, it was the home team to open up the scoring in the 29th minute. J.P. Lamoreux stopped Rafael Rotter’s first shot, but MacGregor Sharp even if on the knees was able to put the puck into the back of the net. All of a sudden, it was Vienna to create the plays on offence. Rafael Rotter deked out the entire VSV-defence, only to be denied by Lamoureux’s right pad in the 32^nd minute.

A controversial high sticking call got VSV back on track. Rick Schofield was let alone in the slot and he delivered the 1-1 goal with a perfect shot in the far corner.

In the final 20 minutes of regulation play, it was the Capitals do dominate the play. MacGregor Sharp led his Vienna Capitals to a lot of chances, but J.P. Lamoureux remained a wall. In one minute and 30 seconds of two-man-advantage the VSV-net minder was lucky when Matthew Dzieduszycki hit the post, but his saves on Rotter and Gamache proved his qualities. The Eagles even had the chance to end the game in the final minutes as Danny Bois was on the sin-bin, but the winner of Game 3 would have to be decided in sudden death overtime.

In overtime, Dzieduszycki opened up the great amount of chances Vienne would get, hitting the post again. Sharp would also get desperate a few times, as Lamoureux continued his stellar 48-save-performance in net. In the 75^th minute VSV seemed to have Nathan Lawson beaten, but on the counter attack Danny Bois fed Derek Whitmore for the game winner.

Vienna is now down 1-2 in the series. They will have the chance to tie the series on Friday in Villach.

Bolzano, Znojmo and KAC stay alive as well

Also in the other three games, the team which lost the first two games was able to re-open the series with a win in Game Three. Klagenfurt exploded in Salzburg, defeating the defending champion 6-3. Znojmo got itself back in the contest beating Dornbirn 3-1.

In Bolzano, the Foxes defeated Linz in the most exciting way possible. After falling down twice in the initial frame, Bolzano took a 3-2 lead in the third period, before Linz only needed two minutes to make it 3-4. As the clock ticked down, Joel Broda sent the game to overtime with a goal with 15 seconds left. In extra time, Steve Saviano gave the Italians the first win in the series.

Results Game 3 - EBEL Quarter Finals

Salzburg - Klagenfurt 3:6 (series at 2:1)

Znojmo - Dornbirn 3:1 (series at 1:2)

Vienna - Villach 2:1 OT (series at 1:2)

Bolzano - Linz 5:4 OT (series at 1:2)

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