DEL Powerhouse Too Strong: Graz99ers Still Winless in Champions League

The Graz99ers also had to admit defeat on matchday 3 of the Champions Hockey League, suffering a 1:4 loss against Eisbären Berlin.

Especially in the first period, the DEL powerhouse – Berlin has been crowned champions in each of the last three years – was superior to the Styrians, who were error-prone in defense.

Pföderl put the capital city team ahead with a precise shot into the short corner, as Wieser's view was obstructed (10th). Before the break, Vikingstad extended the lead to 2:0 with a one-timer (19th), and Pföderl fired the puck under the crossbar 39 seconds before the end of the period – a brace (20th).

Graz Temporarily Finds Hope

The Graz team showed slight improvement in the middle period, also temporarily reducing the deficit to two goals. Collins took a few steps during the power play and then sent the puck unstoppably into the top left corner (28th/PP).

Shortly after the start of the third period, however, came the setback: Ronning's shot was still strongly saved by the generally in-form Wieser, but the Graz goalie was powerless against Mik's rebound shot (41st).

The 99ers later had a chance for 2:4, but Hora's wrist shot hit the post (46th). The Eisbären also hit the metal again shortly after (48th).

While the Eisbären celebrate their first win after 2:6 and 2:8 debacles in their first two CHL games, Austria's champions remain pointless at the bottom of the 24-team table. On Sunday (4:00 PM in the LIVE ticker >>>), the 99ers will be guests in Liberec.