Vienna Capitals have extended their lead in the Erste Bank Ice Hockey League in the sixth round. The Viennese won their home game against the VSV 4:3 on Sunday. New second is the KAC, who defeated Dornbirn 3:0 away. Salzburg celebrated an impressive first victory of the season with a 9:0 against Fehervar. Graz won in Zagreb 4:2. Linz beat Znojmo home 3-1.
The capitals were 0:2 behind against the SAAM by Trivino (6th) and Kromp (7th/PP), but then turned up. First Rotter (10th/PP) was shortened, in the second period Schneider (25th) and De Sousa (32nd) set the score to 3:2 for the Viennese team, who were superior in this phase. In the final period Schneider (47th) scored his second goal to make the preliminary decision. Due to the 3:4 by Sharp (60.) it became again dicey for the Viennese, but Villach could not equalize.
The Caps are now four points ahead of the KAC as Dornbirn conceded their second defeat in a row against Klagenfurt. The 1:0 by Bischofberger (18.) should remain until the final phase the only goal in Vorarlberg. A double strike by Witting (54th) and Petersen (55th) did not provide clear conditions for the guests from Carinthia until late.
Salzburg shot their frustration off at the highest victory in the league season so far. The most successful scorer with three of the nine goals, all scored five against five, was Heinrich. The bulls improved from last to ninth place in the standings due to the canters victory.
The Graz 99ers turned the tide in Zagreb after trailing by goals from Loney (16), Garbowksy (26), and Hamilton (47). The hosts only scored the goal before Caito scored a 4-2 Empty-Net goal in the final minute.
The previously disappointing Black Wings Linz had a difficult second win of the season against Znojmo. After an early deficit it was goals from Kearns (14./PP) and two times Locke (51., 59.) that pushed the Linz team past the VSV to seventh place and Znojmo to last place in the standings.
The sixth round will be concluded on Tuesday with a duel between Innsbruck and Bolzano.