Fehervar AV19, the KAC and the VSV secured their positions among the top six of the ICE Hockey League with victories on Friday. The Hungarians defeated Znojmo 5-1, the KAC came in 4-0 in Innsbruck and the VSV dealt with stragglers Dornbirn 5-1. Salzburg conceded a 3: 4 penalty shootout against the previous bottom of the Puster Valley, but remained third. The Vienna Capitals (2: 1 in Bozen) and the Graz99ers (2: 1 in Linz) also won.

Salzburg had the first two duels with HC Pustertal after extra time and again struggled against the “Wolves”. Despite a 2-0 and 3-2 lead, there was a defeat in the end. Gregory Carey fixed the success of the Bruneck team in the shoot-out, which underpinned their upswing (four wins in the last six games).

The KAC came – although still strongly weakened – to a sure success in Tyrol. The Innsbrucker Haie had not played a match since November 7th, the lack of match practice was noticeable. The KAC had now celebrated five wins in six games and followed suit. Lukas Haudum (25th) and Manuel Ganahl (34th) scored in the second section, Daniel Obersteiner (52nd) and Thomas Vallant (60th) added two hits and lifted the red jackets to fourth place.

The now fifth placed VSV also overtook Innsbruck. Against Dornbirn, one of the defensively weakest teams in the league, the second best offensive team showed no nakedness. League top scorer Scott Kosmachuk makes two assists before he scored his 14th goal to make it 5-1 (55th).

The Vienna Capitals turns the first season duel with HCB Südtirol after an early deficit. Nikolaus Hartl (5th) and Philippe Lakos (38th after Hartl-Assist) ensured the success that brought them close to the best six teams. The South Tyroleans lost the first match after separating from coach Doug Mason.

For the Black Wings, despite the leadership by Emilio Romig (11th) against the Graz team, there was no sense of achievement. A double strike by Joey Martin and Michael Schiechl towards the end of the second period is enough for the 99ers to win their first second away win in the eleventh match.

Front runner Ljubljana will be in action against Dornbirn on Saturday.