With a 1-0 victory in Graz on Friday, Bozen/Bolzano took the lead in the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL). Goals were rare in the 19th round, but it was Brett Findlay who made the decision in overtime (65th). In the following games Linz beat Salzburg 3:1 at home, the VSV emerged from its low 2:1 against the Caps and the KAC won 3:1 in Innsbruck.
In the end, Graz was only accused of not having made the most of his dominant appearance and numerous chances.
In the first two thirds it was Bozen-Goalie Leland Irving who kept his team in the game with numerous parades. The only chances of the champion in regular time were two powerplays.
Only in extra time the South Tyroleans were dangerous and came after a rebound by Findlay from short distance to victory. Already the first duel of the season went 4:2 to Bolzano, after four wins en suite the 99ers had to lose again.
Already on Sunday the next hit is waiting for the people of Graz when Salzburg arrives. However, the “bulls” suffered a clear 2:4-(2:1,0:2,0:1) defeat in Linz on Friday, man of the evening was Brian Lebler with a triple pack (5th /PP2, 26th, 59th). The team from Linz came sixth with four points to the fifth placed team from Salzburg, who slipped behind the KAC. He won in Innsbruck with 3:1 (1:0,0:1,2:0) and won the second Carinthian victory of the evening.
The other surprisingly came last in the VSV ranking. After nine defeats en suite, the “Adler” won at home against Vienna Capitals, which still ranked third, with 2:1 (1:0.1:1.0:0).