The league leader from Innsbruck won the game with four goals in the final round and finally won – a little too high – with 1:5 goals. The special teams were decisive, won by the guests with two shots in powerplay.
Without the only suspended goalkeeper JP Lamoureux and Arturs Kulda, who fell ill at short notice, the “Adler” started the game against leaders Innsbruck in front of a nearly sold-out town hall. The blue-and-whites, who have won their last five games against the Tyroleans over the course of the seasons, are off to a good start. After just 20 seconds, Robert Sabolic had the first opportunity to take the lead, but his shot went just over the bar. Afterwards, there was a chance of two minutes of extra time for both sides, but a goalless draw remained. Anthony Luciani had the best chance to lead Villach in the 10th minute, when he and Blaz Tomazevic hit Innsbruck goalkeeper Tom McCollum, but Luciani failed to put the puck over the goalkeeper’s leg protectors to bring the goal advantage. Not much more happened in a tight and balanced first third, both teams struggled in the first third break with a 0-0 draw.
The central third started with a very dangerous attack by the guests, but VSV goalkeeper Alexander Schmidt got his hold out after a shot by Adam Helewka and defused the shot on goal with a brilliant act. The “Adler” appeared alone in the slot in front of the guest goal in the 27th minute through Alexander Rauchenwald, but McCollum saved with a strong reflex. The blue-and-whites strengthened themselves in this tight game, increased the pressure and increasingly pressed Innsbruck in their own third of defense. However, the visitors scored the first goal through Nico Feldner. But immediately, just seven seconds later, Villach equalized – Kevin Moderer brought the puck into the goal from right half field and it was deflected into his own goal by an Innsbruck defender – 1:1.
In the final section, “Adler” started with the majority, but really big chances were missed. Conversely, Marco Richter had to sit out in the penalty area for two minutes in the 42nd minute due to a stick blow. The visitors needed only 13 seconds and made it 1:2 with a deflection from Tyler Coulter.(43rd) VSV goalkeeper Schmidt had no chance. And only moments later and again in the power play, the guests even increased to 1:3 – this time the scorer was Adam Helevka. The hosts tried to get back into the game, fought back and even had chances, for example with Robert Sabolic, who knocked out two Innsbruck defenders in the 47th minute, but did not put the puck on goal. This decided the match and Innsbruck also scored four and five through Brady Shaw and Martin Ulmer. The Innsbruckers were better on special teams, more effective, and thus decided the game themselves.
EC iDM VSV – EC TWK Innsbruck 1:5 heat pumps
Tore: Feldner (34.), Coulter (43.PP), Helewka (44.PP), Shaw (54.), Ulmer (56.); Moderator (34.)
Photo: VSV/Krammer
