EBEL - round 27

EC KAC – KHL Medvescak Zagreb  1:5 (1:2,0:2,0:1)

Another win for Medvescak! The players of KAC and Medvescak are really in different mood during last weeks. EC KAC was on second position in EBEL few weeks ago and Medvescak was way down on 10th place. Everything changed for the Croatian representative when their goalie Robert Kristan returned. The win against KAC in Klagenfurt last night was their eleventh in 12 league games. Frank Banham opened the scoring in fourth minute (0:1, PP). EC KAC played better during the next minutes, although they were forced to save another shorthanded situation between 11th and 13th minute. Pascal Morency on the other side was penalized for boarding and KAC scored an equalizer in 14th minute (1:1, PP, Ratz). KAC continued to pressure on guests after that, but Kristan saved many dangerous shots. Crowd saw another PP goal before end of the first period, unfortunately for most of them it was Sasa Pokulok who scored for Medvescak (1:2, PP, 20th minute). Geoff Waugh added a third goal for guests in 22nd minute (1:3). It was quite a shock for home team and Medvescak was predominant in next minutes to come. Pascal Morency scored fourth goal for Bears in 32nd minute (1:4). Considering great form and confidence of guests it was clear at that point that the winner of the game is known already. Ryan Kinasewich added another PP goal for Medvescak after 62 seconds of play in third period (1:5). Nothing significant happened later during the final period. KAC is now down on sixth place, Medvescak is second already.

EC Red Bull Salzburg – UPC Vienna Capitals  1:2 (0:0,0:2,1:0)

Erik Reitz and Ryan Kavanagh were out of Bulls team due to injury, but roster of rich home team is full of quality players. Game between EBEL-champions and guests from Austrian capital proved to be interesting as ever. Both teams were eager to win the game, skated fast and tried to apply some pressure during first period. Red Bulls were in control, but were not able to score. Both teams failed to benefit on PP situations. Capitals had better start at the beginning of second period, Francois Fortier missed two good goal scoring opportunities. Brent Aubin was unlucky when he hit the post of Reinhard Divis’ goal. Two consecutive PP situations for Vienna brought first goal of the night in 30^th minute (0:1, Ferland, PP). Fortier doubled guests’ lead after 25 seconds only (0:2). Bulls were in shock after that and Vienna in fact scored another goal in 36^th minute; it was disallowed though for standing in goalies territory. The third period offered similar view: Bulls were trying to do something, but bad passing and their own mistakes offered guests some dangerous counter attacks. Robbie Earl scored out of the blue in 46^th minute to give Salzburg some hope. Red bulls weakened themselves with three minor penalties during next minutes and Capitals defended their lead with no big problems. Salzburg is now third on league standings with 32 points, Capitals are fifth with 28.

EHC Liwest Black wings Linz – EC Rekord Fenster VSV  2:3 (2:0,0:1,0:1,0:1) o.t.

Black Wings showed why they are on top of EBEL right at the beginning. Curtis Murphy scored in 3^rd minute power play already (1:0). Gregor Baumgartner added another PP goal in 8^th minute (2:0) and it all seemed to go Linz’s way. But guests didn’t think so. They have also in good form during last weeks, but having 28 minutes of penalties in the first period already did not exactly help them. They added another 36 minutes of penalties in second period. Rough and dirty playing by VSV interrupted home team’s concentration and Alex Westlund let Shayne Toporowski score somehow in 38^th minute (2:1). Black wings weren’t particularly dangerous during third period and VSV equalized in 50^th minute (2:2, Unterluggauer,PP). Both teams were unable to score until the end of third period. Home team missed good opportunity to win the game in overtime, and Derek Damon scored for Villach in 63^rd minute (2:3). Black wings are comfortable on top of the league with 9 points advance, VSV is on 8^th place.

HDD Tilia Olimpija – Sapa Fehervar AV19  3:4 (1:1,2:2,0:1)

It was the third win for Sapa in three games this season against Olimpija. The home team is not in such a good form as it was at the start of the season. JP Lamoreux slowly runs out of steam, their defence is not as solid as it was earlier this season. Olimpija players were keen to win the game anyway. Justin Taylor opened scoring in second minute already (1:0, PP). Sapa levelled on their first power play in 6^th minute (Ryan, 1:1). Guests were more dangerous of both sides until the end of first period, but the result didn’t change. Olimpija scored to renew the lead in 26^th minute, when Erik Pance surprised Adam Munro; it was more like pass in front of a goal, but puck somehow ended in guests net. John Hughes added PP goal for Olimpija in next minute (3:1). Petr Sachl missed good opportunity to extend home team’s lead and punishment came in 33^rd minute when Adrian Toth scored his first goal of the season (3:2). Some three minutes later Csaba Kovacs was faster of Damjan Dervaric and levelled the score on three (3:3,36’’). Jamie Fraser was unlucky hitting the post for Olimpija in the last minute of second period. Both teams were very precautious in third period. Decisive moments happened in 56^th minute when Petr Sachl hit another post for Olimpija. Later during the same minute young home defender Sergej Smirnov made crucial mistake – he passed puck right to Istvan Sofron in front of home goal and the game was decided (3:4). Olimpija is on fourth position in EBEL with 29 points, Sapa is two points shorter on place Nr.7.

HC Orli Znojmo – Moser Medical Graz 99ers  1:2 (0:2,0:0,1:0)

Orli players were quite shocked when 99ers opened scoring in 3^rd minute already. Sebastien Bisaillon scored in power play. Zdenek Blatny added another goal when he scored on rebound in 7^th minute (0:2). 99ers dominated the game in following minutes. First nice opportunity for Znojmo came in 18^th minute, but Adam Havlik failed to score on penalty shot. Martin Podesva, Jiri Beroun and Richard Jarusek missed the best chances for Orli during second period. Guests from Graz continued their defensive tactics in third period and it was successful until 54^th minute when David Bartos finally scored for Znojmo. Home team tried to level the score, they pulled their goalie off the ice and put on some extra skater, but nothing changed. Graz beat Znojmo for third consecutive time this season. 99ers are on 9^th place with two points advantage in front of Znojmo on tenth.

Schedule for next round, Sunday, December 4^th, 2011:

Zagreb (CRO): KHL Medvescak – Vienna Capitals

Jesenice (SLO): Acroni Jesenice – EC KAC

Villach: EC VSV – Tilia Olimpija

Graz: Graz 99ers – Sapa Fehervar

Salzburg: RB Salzburg – Orli Znojmo

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