KAC continues upward trend against Salzburg

The "Ice Bulls" close the gap...

The Mozartstädter's (Salzburg's) next goal is controversial: Benni Nissner pokes energetically at Vorauer, but pushes the puck past the goal. Nash Nienhuis is the first to understand the situation, skates around the net, and puts the puck in.

KAC head coach Kirk Furey uses his challenge, claiming to have seen goaltender interference in Nissner's poke, but the officials stick to their decision. Good goal, Salzburg narrows the gap to 3:2 (14th).

... but the "Red Jackets" pull away

The second period then belonged entirely to Klagenfurt. After Finn Van Ee wins the face-off, Tobias Sablattnig receives the puck in the slot and slides it through the five-hole into the net (26th). On the power play, the "Red Jackets" extend their lead to 5:2, as Herburger deflects Thimo Nickl's blueliner past Tolvanen into the net, making it unstoppable (34th).

At the start of the final period, Mario Huber gives his Salzburg team hope once more. He hammers the puck into the net with tremendous force for a 5:3 score (42nd), but a further comeback by the Mozartstädter (Salzburg) fails to materialize. In the end, it's a deserved home win for the re-energized KAC.

With 20 points, the "Red Jackets" are just one point behind league leaders Bozen and Black Wings Linz. With 13 points, Salzburg remains in ninth place.

VSV misses out on victory in Innsbruck by 63 seconds

Meanwhile, the Innsbruck Haie (Sharks) win 3:2 after overtime against VSV.

Captain Marcel Witting gives his determined 'Sharks' the lead in the ninth minute with a shot from the right side. The major penalty, assessed to VSV forward Cramarossa for a double cross-check towards the end of the first period, is carried over by the Villach 'Eagles' into the second frame.

VSV turns deficit into a lead

However, with four skaters, VSV manages to equalize through Elias Wallenta: The VSV forward intercepts a catastrophic errant pass on the blue line and breaks away, keeping his composure in front of goalie Joe Cannata and lifting the puck into the top corner (23rd).

The second period is marked by many penalties, with the flow of play only intermittent. Nevertheless, Innsbruck creates more chances without being able to break the stalemate on the scoreboard. Only in the final period can VSV break the deadlock. Joel Teasdale gives the 'Eagles' a 1:2 lead with his goal (45th).

Innsbruck makes another turnaround and celebrates in the end

Innsbruck pushes hard for a long time without success, until the desired equalizer comes just one minute and three seconds before the end of regular time. Owre hammers the puck under the crossbar from close range, and in overtime, Connor Mayer secures the 3:2 victory for the Innsbruck Haie (Sharks) with the decisive goal.

VSV has 13 points from nine games and sits in tenth place, while the Innsbruck Haie (Sharks) are eleventh with also 13 points.