The Dornbirner EC celebrated an important victory in Friday’s battle for participation in the pick round of the Erste Bank Ice Hockey League. The Vorarlberg team won in the 43rd round. The second and penultimate round of the first and penultimate match against the KAC with 2:0 and are now only one point behind the sixth Medvescak Zagreb, who won the penalty shootout 3:2 in Fehervar.
The Graz 99ers slipped to the ninth place after a home 3:7 against Red Bull Salzburg after HCB South Tyrol (7:3 against Znojmo), on Zagreb are missing three points. The second-placed Black Wings Linz narrowed the gap to Vienna Capitals to nine points thanks to a 4-1 draw with HC Innsbruck. The defending champion lost 2:4 at Keller-Club VSV.
The Dornbirner added the fifth consecutive home defeat to the KAC with goals from Reid (18th) and D’ Alvise (37th). The record champion disappointed on the whole line, but still has the chance for revenge on Sunday in the Ländle.
In contrast to the KAC, the latter’s recent arch-rival caused positive headlines again. The VSV won 4-2 at home against the Vienna Capitals, making it the only team against which the champions did not end up with an away win this season.
However, the Villacher also benefited from the fact that the superior front runner changed down several gears after a 2-0 lead by Holzapfel (11th) and Rotter (22nd/PP). Thus Hickmott (57.) and Leiler (58.) fixed the success of the Carinthians within 21 seconds.
The SAAM thus handed over the red lantern to Znojmo, who will receive Zagreb at the end of the main passage. With a victory in the Czech Republic, the Croats would have secured the quarter-final place, regardless of how Dornbirn’s home game against the KAC and the duel of the ninth Graz 99er with the eighth South Tyrol ends.