Close! Champions Graz Down the Capitals

The Graz99ers win the prestigious duel against the Vienna Capitals 3:2 in the 15th round of the win2day ICE Hockey League.

The Grazers take control in the early stages, and Lippitsch immediately buries a volley shot from Roy into the Capitals' net (6.). The Viennese repeatedly have gaps at the back, and Kirchebner exploits one such gap shortly after, pushing the puck past goalie Reidborn with a bit of luck and over the line (13.).

The hosts are usually only dangerous on the power play, but a goal with the man advantage is denied to them for now. Instead, the puck lands in the net after a long-range shot from Bailen in the 19th minute – a goal back.

In the middle period, there are chances on both sides, but both the Grazers' and the Viennese's offenses had their aim off, so no goals were scored.

Exciting Until the End

In the 49th minute, the Styrians score, just as they did with their first two goals, shortly after a Viennese power play expires, and Schiechl extends the lead.

The 99ers continue to press, but the Caps score, with Bourque bringing back the tension with a good long-range shot. After that, the hosts risk everything again, but the equalizer eludes them.

In the standings, the Grazers are now in sixth place with 23 points, while the Vienna Capitals are ninth, three points behind.

Salzburg Keeps Pioneers Waiting for First Win

The Pioneers Vorarlberg continue to wait for their first win of the season. Despite periods of good play, the last-place team ultimately loses clearly to Red Bull Salzburg with a score of 2:7.

The opening minutes in Salzburg are disjointed, but Robertson finds a gap in the Vorarlberg defense in the 13th minute and puts the Red Bulls ahead. After that, the Pioneers are actually the team with the better chances, but the puck just wouldn't go into the net, at least in the first period.

In the middle period, the Salzburgers clearly take control, and the favorite extends their lead with Raffl's second goal of the season (21.). Shortly after, the Vorarlbergers score for the first time on the power play, with Murray hitting precisely into the right corner.

The Score Becomes More Decisive in the End

The Red Bulls' response doesn't take long to arrive, with Rattie scoring his first goal for Salzburg (24.) to make it 3:1 with a nice deke past the goalie. Just two minutes later, Auer adds another, definitively putting the game on track for a home team victory.

In the final period, the Salzburgers pile on again, with Rebernig scoring his first league goal (47.), Huber (57./EN.) and Hörl (59.) making the victory decisive, while Murray manages to cut the deficit with his second goal of the evening (53.).

The Red Bulls take a step forward in the standings and are seventh with 22 points, while the Pioneers remain well adrift at the bottom of the table.