Table leaders Innsbruck, like Salzburg, Graz and the KAC, started the new year of the ice hockey league with a success. The Haie prevailed 3-1 at Linz and are still five points ahead of HCB Südtirol, who sent bottom-placed Vorarlberg home 4-2. Salzburg defeated VSV 3-1, KAC won 3-2 in Pustertal aet
Innsbruck’s fourth win in a row was relatively late for the Black Wings, although Tyler Coulter (14th) and Adam Helevka (26th) shot the visitors to a 2-0 lead after two thirds. Logan Roe’s goal (42′) still caused tension, only Senna Peeters (50′) put an end to the home side’s hopes. Innsbruck celebrated their first win of the season against Linz, who are fifth, 16 points behind the Haien. In Salzburg, too, anything was possible until the end, only an empty-net goal by Benjamin Nissner (60th) brought clarity. Tim Harnisch (6th) and Peter Hochkofler (23rd) had previously scored for the “bulls” before VSV defender Derek Joslin (49th) peppered the matter once more. With two games less, Salzburg are five points behind South Tyrol in third place. The Graz 99ers offset top six hopes Fehervar thanks to a late double strike from Sam Antonitsch (53′) and Tobias Fladeby (54′) with a 3-1 – Home success a damper, the gap to sixth-placed KAC grew to four points. The Rotjacken won in Pustertal 3:2 aet, Thomas Hundertpfund (61st) advanced to the gold goalscorer in overtime.
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