2024-03-03 19:31:34
The quarterfinals of the ICE Ice Hockey League began with a big surprise. The Pioneers Vorarlberg defeated the KAC 2-0 in Klagenfurt on Sunday and took a 1-0 lead in the best of seven series. Defending champion Red Bull Salzburg won the home game once morest Black Wings Linz 4-0, VSV lost 2-5 in Bozen once morest HCB Südtirol. Fehervar won at home once morest the Pustertal Wölfe 3-2 following extra time.
The KAC was the clear number one in the regular season, but in the duel with the play-off debutants from Vorarlberg there was a major false start in front of almost 4,400 spectators in the local town hall. The team from Feldkirch went through Nick Pastujov following just 17 seconds, and when they were outnumbered, league MVP Steven Owre (27th) increased the score to 2-0 for the outsiders.
The Klagenfurt team, by far the strongest offensive team of the season so far, bit their teeth on the Vorarlberg defense and goalkeeper David Madlener, who parried all 28 shots on goal. On Tuesday (7.30 p.m./live Puls24) game two will take place in the Feldkirch Vorarlberghalle, where the KAC will play a play-off game for the first time in 21 years.
Salzburg secured their first victory on the way to their third championship title in a row. The Linz team played on equal terms in the first third, but in the 25th minute Peter Schneider once once more proved his class in his comeback following a month-long injury break. The team striker gave the defending champions the lead when they were outnumbered and set up captain Thomas Raffl (35th) to make it 2-0. In the final third, Drake Rymsha made the final decision with a power play double within 56 seconds (48th, 49th).
There was nothing to gain for the VSV in Bolzano. The South Tyroleans were already 4-0 ahead following 30 minutes, but the Villach team ensured excitement in the finish with two goals (45th, 57th) before the home side made everything clear with the fifth goal.
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