That can’t be true – the “Adlers” showed a really strong match in Klagenfurt, took the lead 0:1 and also had a whole series of top scoring chances that unfortunately couldn’t be used. In the end, Derek Joslin and Co. suffered a bitter 3-1 defeat. For Friday, however, there is the blue and white declaration of war: We’re still shooting the series!
With Alexander Schmidt in goal instead of JP Lamoureux, who was suspended for two games, the “Adler” started match number 4 of the playoff quarter-final series against local rivals from Klagenfurt. VSV head coach Rob Daum also had to do without Benjamin Lanzinger, who was suffering from an upper body injury. The blue and whites started very ambitiously, especially at the beginning they tried very cleverly to take the momentum of the home team and to ensure a goal threat in front of the goal of KAC goalie Sebastian Dahm with quick counterattacks. And this worked brilliantly: Maximilian Rebernig fought for the disc in the 2nd minute in the neutral zone, prevailed in a duel on the rink against a Klagenfurt defender and sank the puck from a half-left position into the short cross corner – 0:1. And the blue and whites followed suit: Just a minute later, John Hughes shot alone at KAC goalie Sebastian Dahm, his shot bounced off the glove and hit the post – what bad luck VSV had in this scene. Once again!
The VSV remained very dangerous with fast and straightforward attacks, in the 8th minute Robert Sabolic failed with a strong action by Dahm. The locals had the best chance in this phase through Manuel Ganahl, who, however, was unable to convert a pass from Strong. VSV goalie Schmidt was there. 33 seconds before the end of the period, Arturs Kulda was sent to the penalty box for two minutes for tripping, but the blue and whites went into the first period break with a 0-1 lead.
The middle section began with a 1.28 minute remaining shorthand for the “Adler”. But the blue and white played a good penalty kill and survived this phase unscathed. As a result, the VSV continued to make a lot of speed, especially the third attacking formation with Felix Maxa, Marco Richter and Maximilian Rebernig shone with irrepressible commitment and will to win. But then came the 26th minute of the game: VSV was unlucky at first, Chris Collins hit the post again from a very short distance. And in return, Matt Fraser rebounded from close range for the Klagenfurt equalizer to make it 1-1. VSV goalie Alexander Schmidt had no chance. After that, an open exchange of blows developed with many goal scenes on both sides. Alexander Schmidt also had his hands full to prevent the next goal from home. Shortly before the end of the third, Chris Collins, who was as fast as an arrow, came into the scene again, but he couldn’t get the puck past Dahm in a 1-on-1.
The final third began after a few seconds with two huge chances for the home team through Lukas Lessio and Matt Fraser, but the Villach defense with the very strong Schmidt in goal saved in extremis. In the 48th minute, however, a seemingly harmless action decided the game: Mike Kraus scored to make it 2-1 for KAC. The “Adler” fought doggedly, gave and tried everything, but the equalizer didn’t want to succeed. The final point was set by Manuel Ganahl with the empty net hit into the now empty Villacher goal.
EC KAC – EC iDM heat pumps VSV 3:1
Tore: Fraser (26th), Kraus (48th), Ganahl (60th EN); Rebernig (2.)
Photos: VSV/René Krammer