The play-offs start

KAC and VSV go for the historic starting today

Villach's John Hughes (left) and KAC ace Johannes Bischofberger are hopefuls.

(Bild: GEPA)

Let's go! The fifth season starts this Sunday with the play-offs - in which KAC and VSV want to achieve something historic: The last time both Carinthian clubs reached the semi-finals was 13 years ago, and now they're aiming to do it again. Four Vorarlbergers will face their former rivals at home. VSV and their opponents Bolzano are very similar.

The duels between KAC and VEU Feldkirch used to be great classics in domestic ice hockey - the Red Jackets experienced bitter years between 1996 and 1998, when they lost three finals in a row against VEU and always finished second. This time, however, Klagenfurt goes into the series against Feldkirch's successor club Vorarlberg Pioneers as big favorites. "But now an even higher level awaits! We have to continue to play fast and skate well," says coach Kirk Furey ahead of the clash between the league's power play powers. Vorarlberg leads the statistics with 26.1 percent ahead of the KAC (25 percent).

The goalie duel between KAC and Vorarlberg: Sebastian Dahm and former KAC goalie David Madlener.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Derby for four KAC cracks
While Vorarlberg have an old acquaintance in goal in David Madlener, four Vorarlberg players in the service of the Red Jackets will face their home club. However, it is also a derby for Raphael Herburger, Manuel Ganahl, Johannes Bischofberger and Simeon Schwinger. All four learned to play ice hockey at Dornbirn (which is part of the Vorarlberg Unterland) - and will face Feldkirch, the club from the Oberland in the province. "We've got nothing to give away there, it's like a derby," announces striker Ganahl. "But we have to be careful! Their power play is top, they have a lot of quality offensively."

Johannes Bischofberger (left, with captain Hundertpfund) has scored four times against the Vorarlbergers this season.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Herburger shaky for the start
Johannes Bischofberger also brings a lot of quality! With 21 goals in the basic round, the 29-year-old has had the best season of his career and has also scored four times against the Ländle team: "This duel will be explosive. I'm expecting a hard-fought series, Vorarlberg have really improved over the course of the season." Schwinger also knows that the KAC has a lot of work to do: "Vorarlberg is on a roll thanks to the pre-play-offs, we have to fight our way into the series quickly." Herburger - who is suffering from muscle problems - is still doubtful for the opening game.

VSV and Bolzano almost like brothers
There are a lot of similarities between the two clubs in the duel between Bolzano and VSV! Among other things, there are similarities in terms of experience: Bolzano has twelve players over the age of 30 (Gazley is the oldest at 35), Villach nine - but with goalie "JP" Lamoureux (39) the oldest player in the league. Both teams replaced their coaches during the season, had fluctuations in form, employed eleven legionnaires each and scored almost the same number of points with 82 (Bolzano) and 80 (VSV). The season duels are also 2:2, and both are top of the league in shorthanded shots (VSV is number one with 84.1 percent, Bolzano number three with 82.7 percent) and at the back of the pack in the power play.

VSV and Andrew Desjardins are expected to hold off Bolzano.

(Bild: Rene Krammer)

An away win is a must
The Eagles have narrowly lost their two previous away games in South Tyrol by 2:3 and 4:5 after overtime - today they want to get their first win in Bolzano. "After the eight-day break, we have to be wide awake right away if we want to surprise Bolzano," said VSV captain Alex Rauchenwald. "We definitely have to win there once. It would be brilliant if we could do that in game one." Top scorer John Hughes agrees: "We've always sold ourselves well there, we can do it. We just have to believe in ourselves."

VSV coach Marcel Rodman believes in his Eagles.

(Bild: Rene Krammer)

Great final phase gives courage
The strong phase with four wins from five games at the end of the season should give them confidence - they only conceded ten goals. "During that phase, we acted as a team, were very compact defensively and impressed with our quick transition play. That's exactly how we have to continue - then we'll have a chance of promotion," said Villach coach Marcel Rodman, who will be without Rebernig, Richter, Kulda and Tomazevic. Robert Sabolic was hit on the hand by the puck, but still wants to give it a try.

Vorarlberg's Julian Metzler is under discussion in Villach.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Villach has Metzler in its sights
As in the previous year, VSV is considering strengthening its ranks with Vorarlberg forward Julian Metzler. The 23-year-old with the striking head of hair has recorded 14 points (including eight goals) this season and was also successful in the pre-play-off against Innsbruck.