VSV loses again

1:0! KAC fights back to equalize in the Ländle

The KAC celebrates winning goal scorer Finn van Ee, equalizes the series against Vorarlberg at 1:1.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

That was a close one! The KAC tied the series 1:1 in the play-off quarter-finals in Vorarlberg with a 1:0. With a lot of fighting and also a bit of cramp. VSV, meanwhile, have their backs to the wall - they conceded 1-0 after just 74 seconds at home against Bolzano - ending 2-4 and 2-0 down in the series. Linz, meanwhile, beat Salzburg 3:2.

Done - but with a lot of stomach ache! The KAC were able to celebrate a 1-0 win in Vorarlberg. But it was wafer-thin, in the end the home side pressed hard for the equalizer - the red defense around top goalie Sebastian Dahm withstood the onslaught. The Dane made two brilliant saves against Michael Pastujov in the final phase.

van Ee as match winner
The Red Jackets got off to the better start this time and pressed for an early lead. While a kick into the goal by Petersen was disallowed in the penalty area, youngster van Ee then made his mark - after a dream pass from Haudum in front of goal, he only had to push the puck into the short corner. However, they then missed an 85-second double overtime. In the second period, goalie Dahm had to witch a solo by Nick Pastujov - from minute 30 onwards, the Klagenfurt thread broke completely again and chaos reigned at times. But van Nes (32) was unable to capitalize on this.

VSV behind early again
Nothing again! After the 2:5 in Bolzano, where two periods were totally overslept, VSV had not planned everything against the South Tyroleans in game two. Then it was 0:1 after 74 seconds: A Lindner misplaced pass in defense, the Digiacinto shot was saved by goalie Lamoureux, but he had no chance when McClure scored. Bolzano then showed its class and, apart from one Villach power play, had the game in hand. Lamoureux prevented four top chances for the visitors.

VSV and Tyler Steenbergen were again defeated by Bolzano.(Bild: VSV/Rene Krammer)

Brief hope thanks to Hughes
Villach only had a great chance through Katic (11th). In the second period, Bolzano made it 0:2 with a powerplay goal from Gazley, but Sabolic replied with the 1-2 (35') after great work by Hughes from behind the goal, also in overtime. Villach then got into the game better. For the first time that evening they really kept Bolzano busy. Twice Katic and Desjardins in overtime had the equalizer on the stick. But they did not succeed, Bolzano did better, scoring through Teves with 4:4 players on the ice to make it 1:3, but VSV struck back through Hughes - 2:3 (56.). But that was as good as it got, Gazley putting the final goal into the empty net 17 seconds later to make it 2:4. This leaves Villach trailing 0:2 in the series - now only a miracle will help...