Graz99ers' comeback in Liberec goes unrewarded

The Graz99ers are still awaiting their first points even after the fourth matchday in the Champions Hockey League.

The reigning champion of the win2day ICE Hockey League loses away to the Czech top club Bili Tygri Liberec by a score of 2:6.

The start to the encounter is anything but promising: 104 seconds are played when Graz keeper Lagace lets the puck slip through after a shot from Sandberg. Lenc recognizes the situation and pushes the puck over the line (2.).

Currie pulls Graz closer

The Graz defense subsequently appears more stable than two days ago in Berlin, where they lost 1:4 to Eisbären.

However, that doesn't help the 99ers for now. Ahac is perfectly set up on the left face-off circle and beats Lagace with a precise shot into the far corner (23.).

The response from the guests from Styria is not long in coming, however. After a nice dribbling move by Collins in the corner, the puck reaches Currie, who finishes cleanly from the slot - 1:2 (25.).

Equalizer is short-lived

Graz uses a powerplay in the final period to equalize: Collins can take a few steps on the left face-off circle and blasts the puck unstoppably into the top left corner (49./PP).

But the joy over the equalizer is short-lived: Björgvik-Holm unluckily deflects a pass from Ahac in the slot with his skates into his own net (52.).

The score widens

In the final phase, the Lacroix team leaves no stone unturned to force another equalizer. However, penalties against Swaney and Ganahl thwart this effort.

In the ensuing penalty kill, things go from bad to worse for the 99ers: Lenc and Prochazka extend the lead to 5:2 (both 59./PP). In the final minute, Jansa adds the 6:2 (60.).

Playoff phase likely out of reach

Austria's champion remains winless and pointless even after the fourth matchday; only Polish champions GKS Tychy have also not collected any points. The worse goal difference means that Graz occupies the bottom of the 24-team table.

With two games remaining, the gap to the top 16, who qualify for the playoff phase, is four points.

To conclude the league phase, there are still matches against SaiPA Lappeenranta (home) and Storhamar Hamar (away).