EBEL - Round Nr.12

EV Red Bull Salzburg – EC KAC  4:2 (3:1,0:0,1:1)

Red Bulls were eager to win over KAC – defeat at the start of the season in Klagenfurt was very painful. 3100 fans gathered to see the champions revenge. Salzburg started the game furiously – scoring chances were missed in the 1^st minute already. Few good saves from guest’s goalie and the post on another occasion saved KAC during first minutes. Nothing helped in 5^th minute though: Salzburg scored from short distance (1:0). Thomas Koch (scored championship winning goal last season for Red Bulls) missed two good opportunities to level the score right in the next minute for KAC, including hitting the post as well. Great passing by Marco Brucker produced another goal for Salzburg in 12^th minute (2:0, Doug Lynch). KAC came closer right in the next minute after poor reaction of home goalie (2:1). Ryan Kavanagh scored in his first appearance for Salzburg from blue line in 17^th minute to increase the lead (3:1). KAC improved their performance during second period. Guests were very aggressive, but Salzburg was quite dangerous from counter attacks. Nothing changed after 28^th minute time out for Salzburg – KAC continued to press forward and Red bulls were forced to defend the lead. Few power play situations for Salzburg at the beginning of the third period did not change the score shield. On the contrary: KAC scored shorthanded goal in 47^th minute (3:2). Salzburg continued very confusing and KAC hit the post once again. Final attacks produced many gaps in KAC’s defence and Salzburg managed to score a decisive goal in 57^th minute. Guests pulled out their goalie and were trying to do something with six men on attack only to let home team to hit the post in final seconds of the game. This was Salzburg’s fifth win in five home games and KAC lost their leading league position.

KHL Medvescak Zagreb – EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz  2:3 (0:2,2:1,0:0)

Guests from Linz came to Croatian capital as the most scoring team in the league. Medvescak finakky started the game with experienced goalkeeper, as Michael Ouzas returned after injury. Ouzas was in fact at the centre of attention in fully packed Dom sportova – he managed to stop many pucks, yet he was outplayed in 5^th minute when Danny Irmen scored for Linz (0:1). Too many gaps in home defence were punished by another goal for Linz in 17^th minute (0:2). Sasa Martinovic scored his first goal for Medvescak in 23^rd minute (1:2) to please Bear’s fans. Two minor penalties for Linz in the next minutes did not produce anything for home team. On the other side quick counter attack did it for Linz in 35^th minute (1:3). Medvescak came closer once again in 39^th minute after long distance shoot through many players surprised Alex Westlund (2:3). Bad things happened for Medvescak during last period: Michael Ouzas was unable to play due to renewed injury and 18 years old Andrej Vasiljevic had to come on the ice. He finished his job with no mistake and remained unbeaten. Unfortunately for home crowd his team mates did not produce anything on the attacking side; they had 80 seconds of two men advantage on the ice as well, but Westlund was in great form for Linz. Black wings Linz are now leading the league.

Sapa Fehervar AV19 – HK Acroni Jesenice  2:4 (0:2,0:0,2:2)

Sapa’s game against Jesenice was their 12^th this seasons game in EBEL. No other team played that many – yet it is fair to say that Sapa – currently on Nr.4 in the league - is in great form at the beginning of the season. Jesenice on the other hand came to Szekesfehervar for their first away win of the season. The game started off slowly. First chance was missed by Sapa, although it was quite clear that Sapa has difficulties playing against very well organized Slovenian champions. Jesenice scored an opener in 10^th minute (0:1) and James Sixsmith doubled their lead in 13^th (0:2). Second period offered similar picture, although Slovenians weakened themselves with many minor penalties. Sapa was ineffective and guests were leading comfortably after 40 minutes. Strange goal was scored for Jesenice in 44^th minute (0:3). Goals in 46^th (1:3) and 50^th (2:3) minute for Sapa made game more interesting. Home team was pushing forward, but guests played very well in defence. Two great goal scoring chances were in fact missed by Jesenice before home goalie left the ice 1:10 minute before the final buzzer. Lukas Hvila scored his second of the nigh (5^th in three days) hitting the empty net (2:4) seconds before the end of the game to gave Jesenice their first away win of the season.

Lukas Hvila, Acroni Jesenice: 5 goals in last two games

HDD Tilia Olimpija Ljubljana – EC Rekord fenster VSV  5:2 (2:0,2:1,1:1)

Nothing seems to attract fans in Ljubljana: Olimpija is in good form, high on league standings, won their Friday’s away game in Graz – yet Hala Tivoli was half empty. Strange goal was scored in fourth minute when puck bounced from Ales Music’s head to beat guest’s goalie (1:0). Second goal for Olimpija was scored shorthanded in 15^th minute. Another goal was disallowed for home team to confirm VSV is in deep crisis. Olimpija scored regular power play goal in 31^st minute (3:0). Time out was called for VSV and it produced better playing for guests – they scored in 36^th minute to renew their hopes (3:1). Not for a long time though – Vedlin scored in 38^th (4:1). Long distance shot extended home lead (5:1) in 45^th minute. Slovenian international Tomaz Razingar scored for VSV in 49^th minute to seal the final result of the night (5:2). Olimpija remains on position Nr.3 in the league. Villach’s defeat was eighth consecutive and they are on the bottom of the league standings.

UPC Vienna Capitals – Moser Medical Graz 99ers  3:4 (1:1,1:1,1:1,0:0,0:1) p.s.

Vienna started the game off in very offensive manner. They needed 122 seconds only to score an opener (1:0). Brett Lysak was given chance to score in 8^th minute after home defence produced fatal mistake – he scored (1:1). Both teams were trying to do something afterwards, but nothing changed in the first period. Both teams were blocking opponents well during the second period. Graz came in front in 29^th minute (1:2), but it lasted five minutes only: Francois Fortier levelled the score in 34^th (2:2). Guillaume Lefebvre (Graz) was sent off the ice after checking head of Benoit Gratton in 40^th minute. Capitals scored power play goal in 44^th minute (3:2). Their lead lasted until 57^th minute Brett Lysak’s second goal of the night (3:3). Ross Lupascuk hit the post in over time for Vienna only to let Toni Dahlman score the decisive penalty shot for 99ers. Both teams remain are now in the middle of league standings: 99ers are 6th and Capitals are 7^th.

Schedule for round Nr.13, Friday, October 21^st

Jesenice (SLO): Acroni Jesenice – Olimpija Ljubljana

Linz: Black Wings Linz – HC Znojmo

Szekesfehervar (HUN) : Sapa AV19 – Red Bull Salzburg

Villach: EC VSV – Vienna Capitals

Graz: Graz 99ers – Medvescak zagreb

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