VSV loses to Graz

KAC beats champions Salzburg again in overtime

KAC striker Johannes Bischofberger beats Salzburg goalie Tolvanen with his penalty shot - the Red Jackets win 3:2.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Great jubilation at the KAC! With a decimated offense (five absentees) they went into the duel with ice hockey champion Salzburg - with a lot of fighting spirit they got a 3:2 victory after overtime. VSV put Neo-Krösus Graz to the test, but were beaten 2:4.

Especially in the first period, the absence of five KAC forwards (Herburger, Mursak, Hochegger, Schwinger and From!) was very noticeable. The Bulls pressed hard and deservedly led 1:0, but from the second period onwards the visitors fought back with a lot of fighting spirit and got into the game better and better. That was rewarded: Twice there was a lot of commotion in front of home goalie Tolvanen's goal - first defender Preiml (first professional goal) dinked the puck just under the crossbar. Later, Fraser deflected a Maier flick into the net to make it 2:1 for the Red Jackets (34').

Bischofberger kept his cool
Because Salzburg's Hochkofler equalized from close range, the game went into extra time, just like the first meeting in September. Back then, the KAC had won in a penalty shootout, this time 39 seconds earlier. Bischofberger was set up by Thomas Raffl on the way to the Salzburg goal in minute 65, was awarded a penalty shot - and coolly slotted it half high into the corner for a 3:2 away win.

Graz special teams top
VSV, meanwhile, were beaten again by Graz after the 4:6 away - this time at home with 2:4. But the Adler delivered one of the best performances of the season, only the Styrians were better in the special teams. Graz scored two goals while being outnumbered, one even on a penalty shot, which they scored while short-handed.

The duel between VSV and Graz was dominated by jubilarian John Hughes (left).(Bild: GEPA)

There was a brief glimmer of hope when jubilarian John Hughes (his 1052nd point in his 900th game in the top domestic league) reduced the deficit to 2:3. But then there was no way through for Villach and they conceded into the empty net to make the final score 2:4.