HCB: The weekend of the decision is coming

Zagreb has 58 points, Graz 57, Dornbirn 56 and Bozen 55. A weekend of decisions is approaching: Which of these teams will join the already qualified Vienna, Linz, Salzburg, Klagenfurt and Innsbruck and thus be among the six best in the EBEL? Anyone who doesn't manage to do this still has the opportunity to take the two places still available via the qualification round. The round of the last six placed teams is a walk through purgatory, because every puck is fought until the very end.

For the HCB Südtirol Alperia, all speculation is forbidden, the only thing that matters is to make full profit over the weekend. This Friday, with the game starting at 19.15:2 p.m., the first of two “final games” against Orli Znojmo is on the program in the Eiswelle. Coach Kai Suikkanen's men still have unfinished business with the team from the Czech Republic from their last game, which they lost 4-21 last weekend. In the current season, the Foxes have not been able to win a match against Znojmo within regular time: their only partial success dates back to October XNUMXst, when a goal from Chris DeSousa in extra time in the Nevoga Arena brought the extra point.

On Sunday against Graz The match against the Graz 17.45ers in the Merkur Ice Stadium follows on Sunday, starting at 99:4 p.m. The Graz team are currently in a positive series and have won the last four games. The people of Bolzano won the last match 0-XNUMX in the ice wave. Coach Kai Suikkanen still cannot count on the long-term injured Markus Gander and Mat Clark, while no decision has been made yet for Austin Smith.

“We have to concentrate first and foremost on the home match against Znojmo,” explains striker Mike Angelidis, “it is a great opportunity to score points in front of our own audience: We must not look at the table, but only concentrate on our game. “

“We’ve been thinking game by game for some time now,” adds Viktor Schweitzer, who scored his first EBEL goal last Sunday, “we have to win the next two games and then we’ll see.”

HCB has an advantage in the direct duels against everyone Given the narrow gap between 6th and 9th place, it is quite possible that two or even three teams will be level on points on Sunday evening after the basic round has been completed. According to the regulations, in such cases the direct encounters are decisive for the final placement, namely all 4 games of the regular season.

HCB Südtirol is in an excellent starting position in this regard, as it has an advantage against all rivals: there were three wins and one defeat each against Zagreb and Dornbirn. A tie on points against Graz would only be possible if Bozen wins the last match on Sunday; Then the HCB would certainly be better off with two defeats after overtime or penalty shootouts and a win within regular time.

In the direct duels between the other teams, Zagreb would be better than Graz, Dornbirn better than Zagreb and Graz better than Dornbirn.

EBEL, 43rd matchday (on Friday at 19.15 p.m.) Fehervar – Zagreb Linz – Innsbruck Graz – Salzburg Bolzano – Znojmo KAC – Dornbirn VSV – Vienna

Table 1. Vienna Capitals 90 points 2. EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz 78 3. EC Red Bull Salzburg 76 4. EC KAC 70 5. HC TWK Innsbruck 'Die Haie' 69 6. KHL Medvescak Zagreb 58 7. Moser Medical Graz99ers 57 8. Dornbirn Bulldogs 56 9. HCB South Tyrol Alperia 55 10. Fehervar AV 51 11. HC Orli Znojmo 49 12. EC VSV 47

ICE Regular Season ICE	SP	TV	P
1. Klagenfurt	47	183:101	102
2. Fehervar	46	146:126	89
3. Salzburg	46	142:107	87
4. HCB South Tyrol	46	137:125	76
5. Linz	46	146:116	75
6. Villach	46	155:136	74
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HCB: The weekend of the decision is coming

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