Zagrebs last Stand in Salzburg?

Last years’ Runners-Up EC Red Bull Salzburg want to eliminate KHL Medvescak Zagreb in their home game on Thursday night in Game Five of their Best-Of-Seven-Semi-Final-Series. Matt Trattnig and Conrad Martin are suspended.

EC Red Bull Salzburg have it all in their own hands now. A home win will seal their ticket to the finals, as forward Manuel Latusa points out: “We can make it now. After playing a bad home game, we gave the right answer on the road and on home ice, we won’t be pushed into defence so easily. We’re targeting a home win to clinch our spot in the finals!” Kelsey Wilson(knee), Will Lanz (Foot) and Matt Trattnig (Suspended) will not be featuring in the game.
Their biggest Offensive threats are Mike Siklenka and Jonathan Filewich, who’ve both scored five against Zagreb this season as well as Michael Schiechl and Ryan Duncan (Four apiece).

For KHL Medvescak Zagreb, who’re without Conrad Martin, who has received his second Game Misconduct of the season in the dying seconds of Game Four, it’s an all or nothing Game. Either the series returns to Dom Sportiva, or it’s time for holidays. Joel Prpic is willing to fight: “Me and Brad Smyth both have come back from a 1:3-Deficit back in our AHL days. We don’t want to go to North America now. We like it here and we want to play another home game. We’ll need lady luck on our side to win in Salzburg. We’ll try our best and hope she’s with us.“ Director of Sports Doug Bradley echoed the sentiment: „We won our last game in Salzburg. If we play like we did then, we can get another win. We’ll need the bounces that Salzburg had on Tuesday to go for us. If we do, we’ll have good chances to win. What we shouldn’t do is losing our discipline. Our Headcoach Ted Sator emphasized that in a meeting in Wednesday morning. Not only will we not win games when we’re sitting out in the Penalty Box, but also, this is not the way we as an organization want to be viewed. We’ll play a squeaky clean game of hockey in Salzburg.”
Mike Ouellette and John Hecimovic, who each scored three goals in the ten previous games versus Salzburg, are likely to take on the main scoring duties.

Zagreb eliminated after valiant fight
KHL Medvescak Zagreb never surrendered, even when down 0:3, but ended up defeated 2:3 by Vice-Champions EC Red Bull Salzburg. It was still a great performance by the Newcomers in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga.

All things come to end and KHL Medvescak Zagrebs sensational debut in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga made no difference. There will be talk of missed chances, like in the first period tonight. After Daniel Welser had scored a great goal after a quality assist by Thomas Koch, Aaron Fox and Rok Jakopic both hit the post. Andre Lakos had a chance when he was alone in front of Kristan, but his capabilities are not foremost those of a goal scorer. It was Koch who scored his first goal of the season against Medvescak in the second period. A solo effort it was and Koch capped it by slotting home past Robert Kristan. From that time on, the home side chose to defend deep and tried to keep the puck and opposition moving at high pace, wearing out the Bears and forcing them into minor penalties.
In the third period, Mike Siklenka struck home and the crowd began chanting “final-final-oho”. The Bears didn’t give up in the face of immediate Elimination, and only a minute later, John Hecimovic arrived in time to slot home a rebound after T. J Guidarellis shot. This goals sparked the Bears once more, and their heroics were crowned with another goal. Kristan had made way for an extra attacker and from a melee, Alan Letang nudged the puck into the net. Joel Prpic provide the first assist of the season in 6:5-win over HK Acroni Jesenice (September 11th) and was responsible for the creation of this goal, too. 63 Seconds turned out to be not enough for another goal, even with Kristan leaving his crease again and thus, the game and series ended for Medvescak.
Heads will hang for a while, that’s only normal, but on Sunday evening, Dom Sportova will be filled with a lot of Medvescak Faithful for a season ending party with all the players.

18.03.2010 | EC Red Bull Salzburg — KHL Medvescak Zagreb 3:2 (1:0, 1:0, 1:2).
Standings Best-of-Seven-Semi-Final-Series: EC Red Bull Salzburg – KHL Medvescak Zagreb: 4:1

18.03.2010: EV Vienna Capitals – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz 4:6 (3:1, 1:4, 0:1)

Standings Best-of-Seven-Semi-Final-Series:
Vienna Capitals – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: 3:2

Sunday, March 21st, 2010, 18:00, SKY Sport Austria live.
EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz – EV Vienna Capitals (304).
Referees: DREMELJ, TRILAR, Hribar, Rakovic.

Неймовірна драма, заповнена в аншлаг Кейне Арена побачила як Чорні Крила Лінцу перемогли Віденську Столицю в першому овертаймі, що закінчився всього за 48 секунд до сирени.

Unbeliveable Drama in sold out Keine Sorgen EisArena saw EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz beat EV Vienna Capitals in the first Overtime which they had forced only 48 seconds before the siren.
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EHC LIWEST Black Wings started perfectly, scoring twice in the first seven minutes, courtesy of Greg Baumgartner (with 34 seconds played) and Martin Grabher-Meier (6./Powerplay). The upper Austrians failed to build on that lead and got punished. After 14 minutes, Francis Lemieux capped a solo effort with a goal and Benoit Gratton added another two minutes from the interval. At the start of the middle period, Markus Matthiasson scored another goal for Linz, but it was soon equalized by Rafael Rotter, who deflected a shot By Pat Lebeau past Alex Westlund. Two minutes later, Rotter added his sixth goal of the Semi-Final-Series with a rebound.
Franklin McDonald and Mathiasson failed to tally and so, the Caps had the lead going into the final period. It was Matthiasson, though, who was in place scoring his second of the night after 33 seconds. Four Minutes later, Matt Iberer rued a miss in a situation left alone with goalie Cassivi for the 5:4. Instead, Harry Ofner scored the 5:4 for the Caps in a completely open game now. Kim Collins needed to take drastic action and pulled his goalie in favour of another skater – and he profited: Pat Leahy, who hadn’t recorded a goal or an assist in the Semifinals, pushed the puck over the line for the equalizer, 48 seconds from time. David Rodman could’ve scored, but missed and the game went to Overtime. Referee Viktor Dremelj had caught a shot in the collarbone area, but could continue after treatment

With only three minutes played, Greg Baumgartner escaped the D-line, was hauled down by Francois Bouchard and it was a nerve-wrecking scenery. Brad Purdie kept his nerve and slotted home a wrister for the win, forcing a seventh game in Vienna on Tuesday, which will decide who’s going to play EC Red Bull Salzburg in the Finals.

21.03.2010 | EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz – EV Vienna Capitals 6:5 n. V.
(2:2, 1:2, 2:1, 1:0).
Goals Linz: Baumgartner (1.), Grabher-Meier (6./pp1), Matthiasson (24., 41.), Leahy (60./pp1), Purdie (63./ps)
Goal Wien: Lemieux (14.), Gratton (18.), Rotter (35., 37./pp1), Ofner (49.)

Standings Best-Of-Seven-Semi-Final-Series: 3:3

Game Seven | Di, 23.03.2010, 19.15
EV Vienna Capitals vs. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz

ERSTE Bank Liga — сьома за рівнем відвідуваності матчів в Європі за рейтингом IIHF, перегнала Словацьку Екстра Лігу !
Медведчак Загреб 35-й (в середньому 5.843 за кожну гру) залишивши позаду Slavia Prag (CZE, 5.430 average), Ilves Tampere (FIN, 5.404) or Lulea HF (SWE, 5.332).
EC-KAC 48-й серед 50 найбільш відвідуваних клубів Європи.

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The Open air game did its part in Erste Bank Eishockey Ligas rise.

League is seventh-best in Europe
The IIHF has announced their league ranking with regards to spectator numbers: Erste Bank Eishockey Liga is seventh, having overtaken Slovakian Extraliga. KHL Medvescak Zagreb (35.) and EC-KAC (48.) are among the top-50 throughout Europe!

After EC Red Bull Salzburg winning the IIHF Continental Cup and the massive success the Open-Air Games in Klagenfurt and Salata provided, Erste Bank Eishockey Liga set another mark in the international hockey family, moving up to seventh place in the attendance ranking, overtaking Slovakian top-flight Extraliga.
891.335 spectators watched games in the round robin phase, meaning Erste Bank Eishockey Ligas average attendance rose to 3.301, giving „our league“ seventh place. Most important in that development were KHL Medvescak Zagreb, averaging 5.843 fans through the gates on average, giving them 35th place overall, ahead of illustrious teams like Slavia Prag (CZE, 5.430 average), Ilves Tampere (FIN, 5.404) or Lulea HF (SWE, 5.332). EC-KACs Messehalle is ranked 48th. The other two clubs to pass 100.000 spectators are EC VSV and EV Vienna Capitals. League attendance overall has risen to 1.028.109 (per 21.3.2010), finally passing the One Million mark. KHL Medvescak Zagreb had over 190.000 fans in their debut season.

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Black Wings fly into Finals
EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz used their hard-fought momentum to beat EV Vienna Capitals (3:3, 0:2, 2:2) and moved into the Finals of Erste Bank Eishockey Liga. Shearer and Matthiasson scored braces.

5:05 minutes were played and Kevin Gaudet was grinning: His EV Vienna Capitals Rafael Rotter and Darryl Bootland had scored two in the opening minutes. But his positive outlook turned into a shocked stare when Markus Schlacher and Markus Matthiasson equalized, and Rob Shearer scored the go-ahead-goal – still in the first period. Rotter, who was outstanding throughout the series, equalized, with a brilliant solo effort, but it was the last time his team had a look in at the win.
The second period saw Linz come out of the dressing room with that bit of extra energy you need if you want to win a game like this one. Pat Leahy beat Frederic Cassvi to his near post, giving his side the lead. The Home team tried to claw one back, but instead, Matthiasson scored his second of the night in two-men-advantage.
The Capitals knew they had to do everything two over come the two-goal deficit, came out for the period and were shell shocked by Shearer running in on Cassivi and scoring the 6:3 after only 107 seconds. Kevin Gaudet decide to replace his first choice-goalie with little-used Rudi Hummel after that goal. The young goalie looked a bit rusty when he was beaten for the 7:3 by Martin Grabher-Meier after 55 minutes. The Black Wings knew they had the game bagged and didn’t care that much about Marcel Rodmans two goals: Linz had turned the Series upside down and progressed to the finals! See you Thursday on SKY Sports Austria the first puck of the final series will be dropped at 19:15.

23.03.2010 | EV Vienna Capitals – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz 5:7
(3:3, 0:2, 2:2)
Goals Wien: Rotter (4./20.), Lemieux (6.), Marcel Rodman (58., 60.);
Goals Linz: Schlacher (10.), Matthiasson (15./35./pp2), Shearer (18./42.), Leahy (24.), Grabher-Meier (55.)

Final score Best-of-seven-Semi-Final-Series:
EV Vienna Capitals – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: 3:4

Linz start finals with away win. Another stellar performance by their US-American Goalie Alex Westlund saw EHC LIWEST Black Wings take a 1:0 lead in the Best-Of-Seven-Final-Series over EC Red Bull Salzburg, taking over home advantage.

It all looked like success for EC Red Bull Salzburg from the start. The Home side started with Kelsey Wilson firing a rocket right at the crossbar, Matt Trattnig was stopped by Alex Westlund but he allowed a rebound second later and Manuel Latusa arrived in time to lift the puck into the net. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz equalized four minutes later, though: Rich Bronilla centred the puck, hit a Salzburgean skate and it bounced in past David LeNeveu. After that goal, it was back to center stage for Westlund, who got into a great rhythm, saving shots form all over the place. With only seconds to go, Linz made good use of a Powerplay to take the lead. Franklin MacDonald hit the puck from the blue line and found the smallest possible entry between pad and post.

The home team raced out of the dressing room, hunting that goal and fired in shots form right, left and centre. At the halfway mark, Westlund stopped five goal-bound shots by Mike Siklenka, Thomas Koch, Marco Pewal Latusa and Jonathan FIlewich within 100 seconds. Instead, Phil Lukas punished Pierre Pagès (“The players talk about discipline, but they don’t have it”) men when he converted from a well-crafted Pass by Rich Bronilla, who performed admirably tonight. Rob Shearer could’ve buried the Hosts with a shorthanded break, but LeNeveu stunned him.

The third period started like the ones before: Salzburg raced out of the gates, and this time, it took them only two minutes to score. Brent Aubin deflected Siklenkas shot (42.) past Westlund. It was the last goal of the game, though as Linz defended cleverly and carried the win home, backed by a phenomenal Westlund, who kept his cool even when faced with a two-men-advantage for the dying seconds of the game. Linz have win the first game of the Best–Of-Seven-Finals and their fifth consecutive game with Kim Collins mentioning “our recent run of success, our confidence and Alex Westlunds performances were the key to our win here”

25.03.2010 | EC Red Bull Salzburg – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz 2:3 (1:2, 0:1, 1:0)
Goals Salzburg: 1:0 Latusa (5.), 2:3 Aubin (42.)
Goals Linz: Bronilla (9.), MacDonald (20./PP), 1:3 Lukas, Ph. (34./PP)

Standings Best-of-Seven-Final-Series:
EC Red Bull Salzburg – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: 0:1

Чорні Крила з Лінцу знову перемагають, і ведуть попереду в фінальній серії з Червоними Волами з Зальцбургу 2:0
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EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz have won their sixth game in a row, and their second in the Best-of-Seven-Final-Series with EC Red Bull Salzburg. The score was 6:4 in the end and Rob Shearers brace made the difference. Game Three will be played on Tuesday in Salzburg

A sold out Arena in Linz saw EC Red Bull Salzburgs Headcoach Pierre Pagè handing another start to Veteran Goalie Reinhard Divis. He didn’t have an awful lot to do in the first period with his team tieing EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz down in their Defensive Zone. Alex Westlund and the D-Line held on aganst the onslaught, and opted to play counter attacks from out of the drawing book. One of those rare situations brought the home team the lead: Rob Shearer passed the Puck to Markus Matthiasson from behind the net, the puck bounced onto Daniel Welsers skate and into the net. Greg Baumgartner could have added a second, but fired his one-timer over the crossbar.
The second period went on where teams had stopped in the first period: Salzburg pressurized, and Linz waited for their countering chances. After 33 minutes, the continuing race towards Linz’ goal succeeded: Jonathan Filewich nudged the puck over the line after Westlund couldn’t hang onto a rebound. The Home team bounced back quickly, though: A minute later Greg Baumgartner pounced on a rebound himself to regain the lead. And with a minute to go, Martin Grabher-Meier slotted home his own rebound for the 3:1. A hit at the right time for Linz, at the worst possible time for Salzburg.
And it got worse for the team that had eliminated last years champions EC-KAC: Their first shot in the final period went in. Rob Shearer surprised Divis with 46 seconds played. Salzburg was far from surrendering, though: Matt Trattnig and Thomas Koch clawed two goals back in Man-advantage to make it 4:3. When everything looked like Salzburg would go on to equalize, Matt Iberer ran away from the whole Defence and pushed the puck in past Divis. Westlund pulled of some fine Saves and then, with eight minutes to go, Gerd Gruber picked out Shearer, who had lurked in the neutral zone. Kitchener, Ontario-Born Forward Shearer ran in on Divis and hit the 6:4 in a decisive 1-on-0-Break. A Powerplay goal by Andre Lakos gave Salzburg a glimmer of hope, but even with Divis making way for an extra skater, they couldn’t beat Westlund for a fifth or even sixth time.
Linz now lead the series, which returns to Salzburg on Tuesday, 19:15, with 2:0

28.03.2010 | EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz – EC Red Bull Salzburg 6:4 (1:0, 2:1, 3:3)
Goals Linz: Matthiasson (18.), Baumgartner (34.), Grabher Meier (39./pp), Shearer (41., 52.), Iberer (50.).
Goals Salzburg: Filewich (33.), Trattnig (46./pp2), Koch (47./pp), Lakos (56./pp)

Standings Best-of-seven-Final-Series:
EC Red Bull Salzburg – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: 0:2

Червоні Воли з Зальцбургу перемагають вперше в зустрічах фінальної серії, рахунок в серії 2:1 на користь Чорних Крил з Лінцу.
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EC Red Bull Salzburg put an end to EHC LIWEST Black Wings winning streak of six games, and ran out as 6:3-winners. The Home side had lead 4:0 after 14 minutes.

First shot, first goal for EC Red Bull Salzburg: Andre Lakos picked out Brent Aubin, who scored with a well-placed shot up in the corner. Martin Ulmer missed another sitter, but that didn’t stop the Red Bulls. Dominique Heinrich converted a rebound from Jeremy Rebeks — who took more offensive workload in the absence of injured Mike Siklenka – shot. Minutes later, Alex Westlund was interfered with by Kelsey Wilson and Daniel Welsers effort whizzed past him for the 3:0. Thommy Koch, who had lost the MVP-vote for the Ron Kennedy Trophy to said Westlund, beat the Linz Netminder only 44 seconds later. Kim Collins saw his team completely off-balance and took a time-out to stabilize them and reached the end of the period with a four goal deficit.

After the interval, Rich Bronilla rifled one in from the Blue Line, and the 500 Linz supporters in Salzburg responded, lifting their Team. Soon after this situation on a Red Bulls Powerplay, Matt Trattnigs lapse gave the puck to Rob Shearer. The only player to have scored two goals in the Final series sent the puck to Pat Leahy, who clawed another one back. Thomas Koch had a penalty shot blocked by Westlund in part two of the MVP-battle. Black Wings were hot right now, but they failed to score on a Five-On-Three in the dying minutes of the middle period.

They took to much time to score the third, though. It was the 54th minute when the lively Shearer found Franklin MacDonald in the slot. The Defender beat David LeNeveu and the game could have turn upside down now. Instead, Ryan Duncan had the answer and scored the 5:3. With three minutes to go, Kim Collins pulled Alex Westlund off the ice in favour of another skater, but to no avail as Jeremy Rebek scored into the empty net to cap a fine performance. The Series returns to Linz on Thursday, when game Four will be played in front of another sell-out crowd.

30.03.2010 | EC Red Bull Salzburg – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz 6:3
(4:0, 0:2, 2:1)
Goals Salzburg: Aubin (2.), Heinrich (6.), Welser (15./pp), Koch (15.), Duncan (56.), Rebek (58./SH/EN).
Goals Linz: Bronilla (24./pp) Leahy (28./sh), MacDonald (54.)

Standings Best-of-Seven-Final-Series:
EC Red Bull Salzburg – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: 1:2

Червоні Воли з Зальцбургу перемагають і встановлюють нічийний рахунок в серії 2:2 з Чорними Крилами з Лінцу.
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EC Red Bull Salzburg used another quick start to beat EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz 3:2 in Game Four of their Best-Of-Seven-Final-Series. The Series is now tied with game Five played in Salzburg on Sunday.

Mike Siklenka returned for Game Four after he was sourly missed by EC Red Bull Salzburg in Game Three with a niggling injury. The Two teams were n level terms for the best part of the first period with Salzburg providing the pressure and EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz defending and looking for fastbreaks where they found them. Two of these breaks went by unused in a Salzburg Powerplay before Mike Siklenka, who hadn’t scored against Linz all season, shot form the Blue Line. Alex Westlund was screened and had to let the puck fly by. Only 50 Seconds later, Ryan Duncan took a shot from the right and doubled the lead. Linz had the chance to decrease the lead courtesy of the very lively Martin Grabher-Meier, but David LeNeveu pulled off a great save.

In the Break, EC-KACs Markus Pirmann received his honours as the YoungStar of the Year.
The middle period started with more pressure by the visitors and with four minutes played, Doug Lynch capitalized on an error in Linz’ defence and score the 3:0. The Black Wings fought back and Phil Lukas tallied just a minute later after fine work by Pat Leahy, who had profited from a surging Brendan Buckley. The Defender threatened with a shot from distance, but LeNeveu somehow denied him.
Linz never said die, though. Even when the Visitors pulled back and tried to nail their goal shut, Kim Collins side played on and six minutes form time, their continuous efforts brought them back into striking distance. Phil Lukas set up Greg Baumgartner, who wasted no time scoring the 2:3. A late surge with Westlund leaving his crease for an extra attacker was in vain, though. Salzburg equalized in the Best-of-Seven-Series, and regained home-advantage. Game Five will be played on Sunday, 18:00.

01.04.2010 | EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz – EC Red Bull Salzburg 2:3
(0:2, 1:1, 1:0)
Goals Linz: Ph. Lukas (25.), Baumgartner (54./pp)
Goals Salzburg: Siklenka (16./pp), Duncan (17.), Lynch (24.)

Standings Best-of-Seven-Final-Series:
EC Red Bull Salzburg – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: 2:2

Червоні Воли з Зальцбургу знов перемагають і встановлюють рахунок в серії 3:2 з Чорними Крилами з Лінцу.
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EC Red Bull Salzburg beat EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz 3:2 and that is also the score in the Best-Of-Seven-Final-Series. The Red Bulls could crown themselves champions for the third time with a game six road win in Linz on Tuesday.

After Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber had come first and second for Red Bull Racing in the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia, the Hockey Team EC Red Bull Salzburg took their third victory in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga and gave themselves a matchpuck for the road game in Linz on Tuesday.
Pierre Pagès men started aggressively and with high forecheck, while Linz’ Defence looked to wheather this expected storm. It could have worked out, but a hooking call by the referee destroyed their antics. Only 15 minutes into the powerplay, Kelsey Wilson picked up a rebound after Marco Pewals shot, set up Brent Aubin and the former farm-teamer finished for the 1:0. Linz had their chances to equalize, but Salzburg had more of the puck, failed to beat Alex Westlund another time in the first period, though.
After the teams had rested in the interval, the home side equalized. Another Powerplay gave Brad Purdie the chance and he converted for his first goal of the Final series. Dan Oberkofler Martin, Grabher-Meier and Rob Shearer all wasted chances they should’ve scored from. Instead, Salzburg heaped pressure on Westlund, letting fly 17 times in the middle period as opposed to Linz nine shots on goal. Chris Ibounig had a late chance to give Linz the lead after Matt Trattnig had lost his footing, but lost out to David LeNeveu. Instead, Jeremy Rebek picked up the loose puck on the powerplay a minute later and hammered it past Westlund from the Blue Line.
Four Minutes after the interval Daniel Welser hit the target again and made it 3:1. That didn’t stop Linz from trying, though. While Salzburg was busy not to concede Kim Collins men attacked them where they found their opponents. Until the 55th minute, Salzburg held out, but than, Brad Purdie completed his brace for his 33rd goal of the season. Nerves flew as Matt Trattnig had to leave the ice en rout cooling box in with two minutes to go, but Linz couldn’t wrestle the equalizer from LeNeveu. Salzburg has every chance to win series and title, if they manage a road win on Tuesday.

04.04.2010 | EC Red Bull Salzburg – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz 3:2
(1:0, 1:1, 1:1)
Goals Salzburg: Aubin (5./pp), Rebek (39./pp), Welser (44.)
Goals Linz: Purdie (22./pp, 57.)

Standings Best-of-seven-Final-Series:
EC Red Bull Salzburg – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: 3:2

Червоні Воли з Зальцбургу перемагають і стають переможцями EBEL ліги третій раз за останні 5 років.
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EC Red Bull Salzburg took their game with EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz to the second overtime — and in the 83rd minute, Doug Lynch scored his second of the night to make it 3:4, giving his team their third championship in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga in five years.

An enthusiastic crowd backed their boys form the beginning and it seemed that the sell-out crowd in Keine-Sorgen Arena was just what the Black Wings need after three back-to-back defeats: Only four minutes into the game, Pat Leahy pounced on a rebound and lifted the roof of the arena with the first goal of the game, which came on the Powerplay. EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz continued to pressurize the visitors, while Salzburg were outmatched by the sudden pace the upper Austrians showed. Chris Ibounig wasted a great chance and so, Linz’ Top-goalgetter Brad Purdie doubled the lead. Every player on the ice had a hard time to even hear themselves thinking now. Four minutes later, though, Pat Leahy was just about to return from the cooling box as EC Red Bull Salzburgs Ryan Duncan put away the first goal of the night for the visitors.

Lynchs’ first — an equalizer
Headcoach Pierre Pagès explanations in the break were successful and reached his players. The Refs had sent Pat Leahy to the penalty box for hooking again and like before, Salzburg wasted no time and built up a Powerplay. Jonathan Filewich played in Doug Lynch and the Defender struck from distance. The Games stayed at top-level with the best chances wasted by Linz’ Markus Matthiasson and Rob Shearer while Mike Siklenka, Steven Regier and Daniel Welser could all have given the visiting Red Bulls the lead.

Linz have an answer for Welser
Another restart, another kick-start for Salzburg: 51 Seconds had been played and Daniel Welser scored for the visiting Red Bulls, making use of a defensive lapse and giving his team the lead in Game Six for the first time. Would that goal break Linz resistance? Don’t even think so – Brad Purdie kept the puck behind goal after shaking of Salzburgs defenders, and played the pass right in the path of the on-rushing Matthiasson who beat David LeNeveu glove-side. It was anyones’ game now, Manuel Latusa missed the target after a solo run from coast to coast while The Black Wings failed to score in a 5-on-3-Powerplay.

Lynch scores Overtime-Winner
That result meant absolute Crunch Time – Sudden Death would decide whether Linz could force a Game Seven or Not, handing Salzburg the title on their own ice. It was a refreshing sight that neither of both teams tried to avoid a — possibly costly — error at the expense of Offensive antics. On the Contrary: Marco Pewal, Thommy Koch and – yet again — Welser could have scored in the first overtime, just as Franklin MacDonald, Leahy and Patrick Mayr on the other side. The Deadlock finally broke 2:47 in the second overtime when Doug Lynch got the puck after Dan Oberkofler failed to score for Linz. The Defender struck past MVP Alex Westlund again, giving his team the third title in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga in five years and the third title this season, following success in the IIHF Continental Cup and the Red Bulls Salute.

06.04.2010 | EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz – EC Red Bull Salzburg 3:4 Second Overtime
(2:1, 0:1, 1:1, 0:0, 0:1)
Goals Linz: 1:0 Leahy (4./pp), 2:0 Purdie (15.), 3:3 Matthiasson (43.)
Goals Salzburg: 2:1 Duncan (19./pp), 2:2, 3:4 Lynch (24./pp, 83.), 3:2 Welser (41.)

Final Score Best-of-Seven-Final-Series:
EC Red Bull Salzburg – EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz: 4:2

Фото з вечора офіційного закриття сезону в Загребі
http://www.jutarnji.hr/posljednje-ovosezonsko-druzenje-s-medvjedima/649918/?a...
http://www.jutarnji.hr/posljednje-ovosezonsko-druzenje-s-medvjedima/649918/?a...
Alan Letang, капітан Medvescak підписав контракт на 2 роки з клубом.
Frank Banham, новий гравець клубу Medvescak підписав контракт на 2+1 роки.
Medvescak на сезон 2010/2011 має бюджет на 20 % більший ніж за 2009/2010.
Тайняки лідєра кхаккєя України про бюджет ні-ні.

Клуби EBEL ліги і кандидати збільшують і будують нові стадіони:

Hungary, Alba-Volan arena 3.500 => 8.500
http://www.hockeyarenas.net/index.php3?page=3000&ctID=hu&gcID=hr&size=0&arID=...
http://www.hockeyarenas.net/index.php3?page=3000&ctID=hu&gcID=hr&size=0&arID=588

Hungary, Budapesht Arena 12.500
http://www.hockeyarenas.net/index.php3?page=3000&ctID=hu&gcID=hr&arID=172

Chroatia, Zagreb Dom Sportova Arena 7.000
http://www.hockeyarenas.net/index.php3?page=3000&ctID=hr&gcID=hr&size=0&arID=835

Poland Krakovia Arena 3.000 => 4.500
http://www.hockeyarenas.net/index.php3?page=3000&ctID=pl&gcID=hr&size=0&arID=...

Збільшують відповідно до розвитку та потреб. Ці ліги та команди нам чужі. І не будуть найближче майбутнє цікавити когось хто ціквіть хокеєм в Україні.

Ну це Ви дарма — ці команди головна біль, жах і постійна причина незадоволеності життям всіх хвунційонерів гокею (та й частини гокеїстів теж) в Україні, бо кадри виплекані в командах цієї ліги перейшли дорогу гокейним хвунційонерам в Україні, і «задвінулі» їх всіх в 2-3 дивізіони всіх вікових категорій. Словенія і Угорщина є тому наглядним прикладом і нагадуванням.

В Сербії і Румунії хочуть в цю лігу також, але вимог поки що виконати не можуть.

Знову ж таки — там спочатку почали розвивати хокей, а потім коли досягли певного рівня зявилася потреба в лізі. Тому й не дивно що Україна уже від них відстає. Нормальний еволюційний розвиток в країнах, що масово люблять ігрові види спорту.

Medvescak sign Banham!
KHL Medvescak Zagreb and goalgetter Frank Banham have agreed terms on a two+one-year contract. The versatile attacker is delighted to join the Croatian Team and looks forward to the next season.

First Transfer Coup for next season: KHL Medvescak Zagreb have signed Frank Banham. 34 years old Journeyman Banham, who was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1993 as a sixth-round pick, scored 62 points (league-leading 30 goals) in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga in 2009/2010 when he still wore the green and white of HDD TILIA Olimpija Ljubljana. He returns to Erste Bank Eishockey Liga after a short spell with Swiss side HC Lausanne and comes with bags of experience in AHL, Finnish, Swedish and Russian top-flights. He will wear his Number 38 jersey that will surely be selling heaps in and around Dom Sportova.

Calahoo, Alberta-born Banham has been praised as top two–way forward with goalscoring and set-up qualities and tormented Defences all across the league, averaging more than a goal per game. He has signed a two-year contract, including an option for another season and commented: „I’m overwhelmed at joining this organization. The team has been successful in all areas, on the sports side as well as with the community and the fans. The Team has had a great start in Erste Bank Eishockey Liga and I’m looking forward to being part of it.”

Joel Prpic and John Hečimović signed new (1+1) contract with Medvescak.

Інтригуюча новина для власників Сокола — на часі пора заявляти Сокіл в EBEL лігу.

На додаток до Краковії, що планує виступати в EBEL лізі 2010 сезону, EHC München може також почати виступати в цій лізі з 2010 року.

Початок регулярного чемпіонату 10 вересня 2010 року, календар вже відомий. (ФХУ на таке і не здатна)

Link: http://www.erstebankliga.at/
[url]http://www.erstebankliga.at/8f234634abc92fd30763c1e63b89d9bf.html?arrSave[ArticleID]=5363[/url]

Mit Teams aus Österreich, Slowenien, Ungarn und Kroatien nahmen bereits in der vergangenen Saison vier Länder an der Erste Bank Eishockey Liga teil. Nun klopft mit dem EHC München ein Verein aus einer weiteren Nation an. Im Rahmen der heutigen Präsidentensitzung in Lesce wurde den Deutschen von den Vereinspräsidenten der Weg in die Erste Bank Eishockey Liga geebnet: Sollten die Bayern sämtliche Bedingungen erfüllen, sind sie in der Liga herzlich willkommen.
Für eine Entscheidung und die Erfüllung sämtlicher Aufnahmekriterien wurde den Münchnern eine Frist von zehn Tagen eingeräumt.

ebel officals on the meeting in slovenia in the end of May 2010 gave 2 weeks to munich to decide will they apply for the league.

__________________

Сокіл не потягне EBEL лігу ні хвінансово ні рівнем гри і складу (шкода)

EBEL's primary reason to be is not developing the hockey in lower level countries.
That means a candidate team may not be to far off geographically, must have a competitive team, be of interest as an opponent for a majority of the other teams (which strongly correlates with the competitiveness, has to have reasonably sound finances etc...
All these are necessary conditions and only if these are fullfiдled it makes sense for the league to include the candidate.
Munich has the potential to fullfill the criteria although there's plenty of open questions and frankly I doubt that it will happen.