The Vienna Capitals and RB Salzburg have not reached the semi-finals of the Erste Bank Ice Hockey League. Both the champions and the Salzburg team lost for the first time on Friday in the fourth play-off match of the quarter-finals. The Viennese lost 3-4 to the sharks in Innsbruck for the first time ever in the play-off. Salzburg lost at Dornbirn EC 2:3.
Although head coach Serge Aubin had called for the”sack to close”, a unique series came to an end for the Capitals with their narrow defeat in Tyrol after winning 15 play-off games. One of the reasons why the fourth “Sweep” failed in a row was that the Innsbruck team was “on fire” right from the start. They soon led 2-0 and after two thirds even 4-2.
Also thanks to the not convincing outnumbering game of the guests the sharks brought the much celebrated 4:3 over the stage and shortened in the best-of-seven series against the Capitals on 1:3. Although they braved themselves enormously against the threat of defeat in the final section, Innsbruck played home their historic success against the Viennese in the Wasserkraft-Arena. The decisive success in winning a series is always the most difficult,” Caps captain Andreas Nödl warned before the game.
Dornbirn was also to be noted that another defeat would have meant the end of the season. While Salzburg did not live up to their role as favourites, the Vorarlberg team even led 3-0 after two-thirds, before the guests provided excitement with two goals in the final section. In the 59. Peter Mueller scored from the blue line for the six field players from Salzburg, but the goal was not given after the video decision. Game five will also be staged on Sunday (4.00 pm) in Salzburg, the bulls can also fix the promotion to the semi-finals at home with a total score of 3:1.
The EHC Linz managed the 2:2 equaliser in the quarter-final series against Zagreb. The Black Wings led 8:2 minutes before the guests scored two goals. But now the Linzers have to go to Croatia twice, on Monday they will continue.
Once again the KAC provided pure drama. In Bolzano the overtime was 2:2, in the Oleksuk in the 65th minute. Minute but the Game Winning Goal to the 3:2 victory of the HCB South Tyrol succeeded. Also in this quarter-final series it is 2:2 after four matches.