At the start of the 'Best of Three' series in the ICE Hockey League Pre-Playoffs, the Vienna Capitals and EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV achieved their first victories on Wednesday evening. The Viennese clearly won 5:1 against Hydro Fehervar AV19 in front of 4,410 spectators. After just two periods, the home team was leading 4:0 thanks to goals from Duquette, Gregoire, Koschek, and Hults. In the final period, the guests only managed a consolation goal through Kuralt before Vey marked the final score.
The match in Villach was much more thrilling. VSV defeated the Steinbach Black Wings Linz 2:1 after overtime. After Linz took the lead through Kragl, Kevin Hancock equalized in the final period. The same player became the match-winner in the 75th minute when he scored the decisive goal for the home victory. The second games of both series will take place on Friday.
At the same time, Eisbären Berlin celebrated an important 5:2 away success against Dresdner Eislöwen in the German Ice Hockey League (DEL). With this win, the reigning champion reduced the gap to sixth place in the standings to just one point, thus keeping alive the chance for direct quarter-final qualification. Meanwhile, VfL Wolfsburg announced in the Football Bundesliga that coach Daniel Bauer will remain in office for the time being despite the recent sporting crisis and will play a decisive game against Hamburger SV next weekend.
