Fehérvár AV19 has opened up a two games to none lead over the Vienna Capitals in the first round of the EBEL playoffs after two thrilling victories.
Fehérvár AV19-UPC Vienna Capitals 4-3
Alba Volán came out strong in game one as they were trying to force their game on the Capitals, this was a playoff game right from the start, Dániel Kóger fed a pass to Frank Banham who one timed it high past Capitals goalie Matthew Zaba. Minutes later the top lines combined for a goal as much like on the first goal by working the corners. This time Kóger banged home the goal from almost the same spot that Banham did. In the second period Volán was able to double their lead to 4-0, as they pinned Vienna down in their own end and cycled the puck around, Kevin Wehrs threw a puck on net that was redirected into the back of the net by Kóger for his second goal of the game. With Volán on a 5 on 3 powerplay Banham was set up for his patented rockets as he blasted a one timer past Zaba to make it 4-0. During the second intermission it looked as if Fehérvár put their legs up since the Capitals made it a game in the third period. In the opening minute of the third period Jamie Fraser sent a shot in from the blue line that made it through the crowd to make it 4-1. Minutes later Florian Iberer scored a power play goal to cut the lead to two, after the goal the packed arena started to feel tense as the fans started to worry. As the Capitals started to put pressure on the Volán net Christian Engstrand stood tall as Volán held a two goal lead until there was just under two minutes left when Kenny MacGowan flipped home the rebound to make it 4-3 and a very tense closing minutes but in the end Fehérvár held on for the important home win.
Rob Pallin-”In the playoffs after a loss you can not get too down on yourself, and after a win you can not get too pumped either. Andrew Sarauer had four assists and we know how great of a shot Frankie has however we have only won one game, you need four to advance”
Christián Engstrand-”We played really well in the first two periods, I don't know what happened in the third. The first goal was a shot from the blue line, I wasn't able to see that much, on the second one we got messed up on the PK and lost a stick, they had a one timer, I feel it was a lucky goal. The third one they ripped a shot from the blue line, I lost my mask and they tipped in the rebound.”
UPC Vienna Capitals-Fehérvár AV19 1-4
After a close but thrilling home win Fehérvár made the drive across the border to Vienna for the second game of the best of seven. Much like the first game in Fehérvár, Alba Volán struck first but this time the second line picked up where the first line head left off, this time Brandon Marino redirected a Wehrs shot from the blue line to put up the visitors 1-0. Volán was able to double their lead still in the first period as István Bartalis collected a rebound in front of the net and wrapped it around to beat Zaba for the goal. The Capitals were able to get onto the scoreboard in the second period with a power play goal that Jonathan Ferland roofed past Engstrand to cut their deficit to one goal. Arguably the nicest goals of the series so far gave Fehérvár back the two goal lead, after Bence Szirány started the series of tic-tac-toe passes that went through Banham and Wehrs Szirányi slipped a shot nicely past Zaba. Vienna was unable to get any closer but for good measure Attila Orbán scored a ridiculous goal from the baseline to give Fehérvár the 4-1 win and a 2-0 series lead as the teams meet up on Tuesday in Székesfehérvár for game three.
Rob Pallin-”We knew it would be a tough game on the road, and thats what it was, i told my guys to push back and you can't have them go after our best player, I told Varga and Orbi to make sure it didn't happen. the key was that I played my fourth line and they didn't they got an important goal. we didn't play on our heals like we did on Friday, we went after it and won.”
Brandon Marino-”These guys play a tough game, they are a good team and we have to be ready to play our game, both third periods have shown that they can get back into the game when needed, it was good to get out to a good start in both games”
Game 1: Fehérvár AV19-UPC Vienna Capitals 4-3
Game 2: UPC Vienna Capitals-Fehérvár AV19 1-4
Game 3: Tuesday March 10th at 19:15 at Fehérvár
Game 4: Friday March 13th at 19:15 at Vienna
Game 5: Monday March 16th at 19:15 at Fehérvár (if needed)
Game 6: Wednesday March 18th at 19:15 at Vienna (if needed)
Game 7: Friday march 20th at 19:15 at Fehérvár (if needed)
Photo: Attila Soós