VSV misses out on a 2:0

Carinthian derby still goalless after the first period

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Last Carinthian derby in the basic round of the ICE Ice Hockey League - and important points are at stake for VSV and KAC! At first the visitors pressed, but in the second period Villach also got into the game. And took a 1:0 lead thanks to a powerplay goal from Pearson. In the final period, it looked for a long time as if Villach would win - but the KAC saved themselves in overtime!

As in the recent derby in Klagenfurt, the KAC got off to a powerful start in Villach in the 359th duel between the arch-rivals - and took control from the very first minute. Both teams had their best chances in the opening period in the sixth minute. First VSV defender Wall appeared in front of the visitors' goalkeeper Dahm, but failed - then KAC crack Maier also failed to beat Villach goalkeeper Cannata. The latter also defused a Hundertpfund flick with his catching hand.

The KAC and Maier fought a close battle with VSV (Coatta and Lindner).

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

In Villach's first powerplay in minute 15, Pearson tried twice from the side in front of the KAC goal, but it remained goalless. Shortly before the first break, the visitors also had their first power play - but Villach defended just as well. And so it remained 0-0 after 20 minutes.

Mursak hit the bar
The KAC took 42 seconds of powerplay from the opening period into the second - and that's when things got dangerous: Mursak slammed the puck against the bar, Fraser was prevented from rebounding at the second post. But VSV stepped up their game and repeatedly created pressure phases and chances. The best were Vallant with a hammer shot (28') and Richter, whose attempt from close range was saved by the visitors' goalie Dahm. 

VSV celebrate in overtime
The home side then celebrated in the powerplay! Sturm ace Hancock was completely free on the side, went in alone on goal and brought the puck flat to Pearson, who slotted in from close range (37'). Villach then even had the chance to increase their lead through Scherbak, but KAC goalie Dahm made the save. The home team took a 1:0 lead into the break for the last time.

Philipp Lindner slammed the 2:0 into the goal with full force.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Red Jackets equalize with superior numbers
The final period began with a top chance for VSV bomber Maxi Rebernig - but he failed to hit the empty net. Philipp Lindner did things differently! The Villach defender hammered the puck into the corner of the net from the blue line to make it 2:0 (44').

In the KAC's powerplay (Van Nes wrestled Van Ee down and had to sit), Matt Fraser then managed to tie the game at 1-2 after Petersen's cross-ice pass after just 48 seconds of overtime. An unnecessary check by Holway gave the KAC another overtime situation with 2:30 minutes to go. The Red Jackets did not hesitate for long again - Nick Petersen scored 84 seconds before the end to make it 2:2.

VSV fails to score in overtime
The game went into overtime - where KAC goalscorer Petersen was sent to the penalty box after just four seconds for tripping. However, the Red Jackets survived the short-handed situation unscathed. And even had a mega chance shortly before the end - but because Unterweger failed to hit the empty net after a feed from From, the game went to a penalty shoot-out.

Villach's Cannata came out on top against Obersteiner, while Scherbak wasted the puck on the other end without even shooting. Mursak made it 1:0 for the KAC, Hancock failed to beat Dahm. From missed the match puck for the KAC - but Pearson also failed. In the end, the KAC remain the derby winners!