EBEL - Round Nr.13

HK Acroni Jesenice – HDD Tilia Olimpija Ljubljana  5:4 (1:0,2:3,1:1,0:0,1:0) p.s.

The biggest Slovenian team sport event had prehistory: Jesenice players threatened not to play the game unless all arrears are paid before the event. Management secured money and the crowd gathered in Podmezakla hall to observe the game between strong Olimpija and struggling home team. Olimpija started the game offensively: few good chances were missed and home goalie Michal Fikrt had to perform really well. First goal was scored in 16^th minute. Jesenice had 5 on 3 situation on ice for 45 seconds and did not score. 5 on 4 situation during the next moments gave spectators something to cheer about: Swedish players produced the leading goal for Jesenice (Johan Björk,1:0). Olimpija’s first powerplay of the night did not produce anything towards the end of first period. They scored on another PP situation in 25^th minute (1:1). It confused home players: many gaps were left in home defence after that and Olimpija scored in 29^th (1:2) and 31^st (1:3) minute. Luckily for home crowd Jesenice answered in style: youngster Anze Kuralt scored in 33^rd (2:3). Patrik Bergström levelled the score in 37^th minute (3:3) and the game was once again tied. Marcus Olsson scored as the last of the home side Swedes in 45^th minute to get Jesenice in front once again (4:3). Another big mistake in home defence led to equalizing goal for Olimpija in 49^th minute. It was obvious in the last minutes that guest’s legs are fresher and quicker. Few chances were missed on both sides and the game went in over-time. Olimpija had a chance to seal the game in over-time having a player advantage on the ice, but Jesenice defended well and with luck. Penalty shots were decided by two goals of James Sixsmith to delight home crowd. Goalie Michal Fikrt (Jesenice) was voted player of the game. Jesenice won for the second time in a row.

Michal Fikrt, Acroni Jesenice

Moser Medical Graz 99ers – KHL Medvescak Zagreb  1:6 (0:0,1:1,0:5)

Big news for Croatian fans: Slovenian Robert Kristan is back after two knee surgeries! Problems Medvescak had with goalies during last few rounds are probably over. Graz 99ers players offered Kristan no mercy – pucks flew towards him from everywhere. Toni Dahlman missed a good opportunity for Graz early in the game and Kristan saved his goal miraculously in 4^th and 6^th minute. Seconds after that Brett Lysak missed an empty net for Graz. Medvescak missed good opportunity in 8^th minute only to let Graz perform shooting practice until the end of first period. Guests from Zagreb performed better during the second period due to two power play situations in the first minutes. They scored in fact on second such occasion in 25^th minute (0:1). And what a boost it was for Bears: Frank Banham missed 99ers goal for a centimetre or two in 28^th and Ryan Kinasewich hit the post in 30^th minute. Power play situation produced an equalizer for Graz in 32^nd minute (1:1). Medvescak scored twice in 24 seconds of 43^rd minute (1:2,1:3) to announce what was coming: one way traffic towards Graz’s goalie. Another goal was scored for Croatians in 46^th minute (1:4) before home goalie Fabian Weinhandl decided he had enough of it – he was substituted by Artiom Konovalov who let another two pucks in his net (48^th 1:5, 58^th 1:6). Sixth and final goal of the night was scored shorthanded and Medvescak won comfortably in Graz.

Robert Kristan, KHL Medvescak

EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz – HC Orli Znojmo  0:1 (0:0,0:0,0:0,0:1) o.t.

Now that’s what is called recovery: Znojmo won fourth consecutive game after changing head coach. Eight straight wins and the leading league position for Linz meant they are favourites of the game. Orli didn’t think so as they forchecked well during first minutes of the game. Black wings were confused by the pressure and Czechs warmed home goalie Alex Westlund good. He supported his team with no mistakes though. On the other side, the most scoring attack of the league did not produce anything. Shots were not accurate or Filip Landsman stopped it for Znojmo. Second period was quite similar: some minor chances were missed on both sides, both teams played strong in defence and not letting the opposition to score. The most exciting moments happened when Fabian Scholz (Linz) and Ales Stanek (Znojmo) had fight and they were both sent off the ice. Third period offered offensive by Linz and some dangerous counter attacks for Orli. Everyone expected leading goal for Linz as they pushed really hard, but guest’s goalie and his fellow defensemen were on top of their performance. Landsman saved multiple shots in 49^th minute and quick counter attack for Znojmo produced 3 on 1 situation, but Westlund saved it. Power play did not help Linz to score during 53^rd and 54^th minute. Danny Irmen hit the post for Linz and Martin Mairitsch did the same two minutes later. Black Wings allowed Znojmo power play during last two minutes of the third period, but Westlund and a hat full of luck saved them. Overtime was dominated by Linz, but counter attack gave us the winning team of the night: Richard Jarusek scored in 62^nd minute to prevent Linz from scoring in 9^th consecutive game. Linz is still leading the league standings and Znojmo is on the position Nr.7.

EC Rekord fenster VSV – UPC Vienna Capitals  4:2 (2:0,0:2,2:0)

First home win of the season for VSV! Fans are now convinced their team can still win a game after eight straight losses. VSV put enormous pressure towards guest’s goalie during opening minutes of the game. Sebastian Stefaniszin stopped few shots before 5^th minute controversy: VSV pushed the puck into the net in the crowd in front of the goal somehow, there were complains form Vienna and video studies have been made. Goal was allowed though (1:0) and VSV continued to attack after that. On the other side goal for Vienna was disallowed for entering goalie’s space. Crowd saw another goal for Villach in 8^th minute (2:0).Nothing changed later during the first period. Power play in 21nd minute gave Vienna their first goal of the night (2:1). Nervousness from both sides produced few fights on the ice, teams played with power play or shorthanded later. 4 minutes of shorthanded playing produced an equalizing goal for Vienna in 34^th minute when Martin Oraze did it all by himself (2:2). It boosted Vienna to put some more pressure on home side, but Bernhard Starkbaum didn’t let any more pucks onto his net until the end of second period. 90 seconds of 5 on 3 advantage on the ice did not produce anything for Capitals at the beginning of third period. On the other side Villach scored luckily using power play situation in 44^th minute (3:2). It confused guests a bit and Villach as a result scored shorthanded goal in 46^th (4:2). It was all Villach after that – they played offensively good and Stefaniszin had to perform really well to keep Vienna only two goals behind. VSV is still on the bottom of league though and Vienna is on 8^th place.

Sapa Fehervar AV19 – EC Red Bull Salzburg  3:2 (0:0,1:0,1:2,1:0) o.t.

Sapa continues this season’s good performances in EBEL. The game started off with both goalies having the same saves percentage - 91,8. Austrian champions were a bit better side at the beginning of the game, but Istvan Sofron hit the post for Hungarian champions in 6^th minute. Home goalie Adam Munro stopped 3 shots during Red Bull’s power play in 13^th minute and Sapa was better side for the rest of the first period. It was the same picture in the second period. Two great chances were missed for Sapa during first minute of teh period and Derek ryan scored an opener for Sapa in 23^rd (1:0). Salzburg wasn’t confident to put some pressure back and Sapa missed another three opportunities to extend their lead. Salzburg performed better later in the period, but the result didn’t change. It was Red Bulls who put pressure on opponents in the third period, but home side scored on power play situation in 52^nd minute (2:0). Although home fans hoped the game is sealed Ramzi Abid scored twice in 54^th (2:1) and 58^th minute (2:2) to level the score for Salzburg 58^th minute goal was scored with two men advantage on the ice for Red Bulls. Both sides had their chances in over time. The game was decided by power play goal from Derek Ryan, top scorer for Sapa in 64^th minute. Hungarians remain on position Nr4 of the league.

Derek Ryan, Sapa fehervar

Schedule for the next round, Sunday  October 23^rd

Znojmo (CZE): HC Orli Znojmo – EC VSV

Zagreb (CRO): KHL Medvescak – HK Acroni Jesenice

Ljubljana (SLO): HDD Tilia olimpija – EC KAC

Linz: Black Wings Linz – Graz 99ers

Vienna: UPC Vienna capitals – EC Red Bull Salzburg

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