Wir haben zwei Geschenke verteilt.
Emilio Romig (4th) punished a line change error, and Kyle Topping (6th) struck on the counter following a turnover by Dominic Hackl. "We handed out two gifts," Stewart lamented.
Konstantin Komarek (19th) pulled one back for the tenth-placed side late in the first period with a fine backhand finish under the crossbar.
Struggles in front of goal
However, as the game went on, another persistent weakness of their season came to the fore: goalscoring.
A total of 35 shots were fired at Black Wings goalie Dylan Wells, but despite numerous quality scoring chances, the puck refused to find the back of the net again.
Over their last six games, the Danube-city club have managed a meager return of just nine goals. Four of those matches ended with just a single goal scored.
Stewart: "Once again, against a top team, we had more shots and better chances, defended relatively well, and performed as a team, but that very last piece of the puzzle—putting the puck in the net—is still missing."
Climbing out of the hole with the fans
Despite this difficult stretch, the Capitals can count on the backing of their fans. A crowd of 6,250 flocked to Vienna-Kagran on Friday night, more than at any other win2day ICE Hockey League game so far this season.
The head coach regrets: "I would have loved a better result not just for our team, but for our fans as well. The fan support has been fantastic since the start of the season, and tonight it was at the very top."
On Sunday, a completely sold-out arena is expected against KAC (5:30 PM in the LIVE ticker). "That is what we need," said Stewart. "We can only get out of this hole together."
Special clash with KAC
Ideally, the first step will be taken against the "Rotjacken." Stewart demands: "I want to see a focused, consistent 60 minutes."
As a long-time player and coach for VSV, clashes with Klagenfurt hold special meaning for him. "And I know that the Capitals also have history with KAC," Stewart said, fully aware of the rivalry between the two sides.
However, Vienna's last home win over the record champions dates back almost four years. "We need to hit the ice with determination and as a unit," said the head coach, "and then we have a good chance" of ending this negative run.
