The Vienna Capitals are the third team to reach the semi-finals of the ICE league. The Viennese won their home game against Innsbruck 5-1 on Sunday and won the best-of-seven series 4-2. Black Wings Linz, on the other hand, managed to equalize 3:3 in a duel with the regular season winners Bozen with a 2:1 after extra time, which means that there will be a decisive game in South Tyrol on Tuesday.
The Capitals made a powerful start in front of 4,750 fans and were rewarded by goals from Jeremy Gregoire (7th) and Matt Bradley (17th). Innsbruck improved in the middle third, but again only the Viennese scored in the person of Gregoire (34th) outnumbered to 3:0. It wasn’t until the 50th minute that Simon Bourque scored the first goal for the visitors. The Caps struck back immediately with the 4:1 by top scorer Max Zimmer, in the final phase the top scorer increased with an empty net hit. The Viennese are in the semi-finals for the sixth time in a row.
In Linz, Brian Lebler put the home team ahead in the seventh minute, but Bozen equalized exactly 60 seconds later through Brad McClure. After that, both teams neutralized each other for a long time and after two goalless thirds it went into extra time. In the ninth minute of overtime, Martin Schumnig let the 3,400 spectators celebrate the decisive 2:1 and the continuation of the season.
This means that the semifinals won’t start until Friday. In addition to the Caps, this also includes defending champions Salzburg and KAC, who were promoted early against Fehervar and VSV.