ICE quarter-finals

KAC wants to continue play-off series against Pioneers

Johannes Bischofberger and the KAC want to win against Vorarlberg.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Never since the introduction of the "play-off pick" has the winner of the basic round of the ICE Ice Hockey League failed to reach the quarter-finals. All ten times, the number one team that was allowed to choose the opponent prevailed. Klagenfurt is optimistic that this series will continue.

The KAC wants to continue the streak against the Pioneers Vorarlberg and go into the first game on Sunday with home advantage in the "best of seven" series. Close duels are expected between Red Bull Salzburg and Black Wings Linz and HCB Südtirol and VSV.

Klagenfurt have stuck to their guns and opted for the lowest-ranked opponent. The record champions have by far the most prolific offense and have conceded the fewest goals, not least thanks to goalkeeper Sebastian Dahm, who came second in the MVP voting. The Pioneers from Vorarlberg are in the quarter-finals for the first time in their second season.

Salzburg has won all three play-off duels with Linz so far and also won three of the four games in the last basic round. The defending champions were able to choose between the Black Wings and VSV in Thursday evening's pick and chose Linz. "It was a group decision," Salzburg coach Oliver David announced. The Bulls are preparing for a tough battle. "It won't be easy against Linz. We've gone into overtime with them three times, it's very difficult to play there, with their fans following them to Salzburg as well," said David.

Close duel expected
Ten years after their only previous meeting in the play-off, South Tyrol and Villach will face off again. The team from Bolzano once won the semi-final 3:1 and went on to win the league title in its debut year. Both HCB and VSV strengthened their squads considerably in February.

"Bolzano is a team that is on a par with us. It will be a very exciting and certainly very close duel. But we're ready, we're a completely different team now than we were in the basic round, and we've also strengthened ourselves well," said VSV sports director Gerald Rauchenwald. In order to make it through to the next round, the Adler will have to win in the Bolzano Ice Wave for the first time this season. Fehervar and HC Pustertal will meet in the fourth quarter-final.