After the two home games on the last weekend, in which the wolves showed two very different faces with a victory against series master Salzburg and a defeat against Liganeuling Budapest, HC Falkensteiner Pustertal will go to an away double in the “distant east” this weekend. With Hydro Fehervar AV 19 and the Vienna Capitals, two direct pursuers are waiting for the HCP and as many points as possible are in the fight for taking the top 6.
Hydro Feervar
The “Red Teufel” from Szekesfehrar did not start the championship with three defeats and two victories, but showed a strong performance in Laibach on Sunday and brought the undefeated leaders to the brink of a defeat. With the Magyars, who have essentially confirmed their previous year’s squad, the bad goal yield and the very weak power play have proven to be a weak point: In 16 overnight games, only 2 goals are scored and the rate is as bad as with HCP.
Vienna Capitals
In the Vienna Capitals squad, on the other hand, there was no stone on the other compared to the previous season and the team was upgraded on paper with a number of top -class new additions. However, the team has not yet been able to do justice to the high expectations and has only conquered eight points in the first 6 season games.
Previous balance sheet
Hydro Fehervar | In four years of league, the wolves against Hydro Fehervar AV 19 have already played 27 games and the balance sheet is clearly negative for the HCP, but the wolves were able to decide the legendary quarter -final series in the 23/24 season and also won the last two duels (2: 7 and 5: 0).
Vienna Capitals | The wolves are also in the league with the Vienna Capitals with 6:10, with the HCP being able to make a lot of ground in the last two seasons and especially 4 of the last 5 away games against the capitals – driven by an impressive fan support. The duels of the pre -season were all hotly contested and indicate an exciting duel again.
Men to Watch | Focus on players
Hydro Fehervar | The eyes of the HCP fans will certainly be aimed at the two defenders Ole Einar Engeland Andersen and Joel Messner on Friday at the duel with Hydro Fehervar AV 19, who laced the ice skates for the HCP one or two years ago.
Vienna Capitals | “Man to Watch” at the Vienna Capitals is clearly a Starcenter Linden Vey. The sensational shopping of the Wiener came to the ICE Hockey League this summer with an impressive curriculum of 139 NHL, 360 KHL and 60 NL and already leads the team’s in -house scorer list with 6 assists from 5 games. However, the young Carter Souch, who joined the capitals from the Allsvenskan this year, was also successful in the previous games and was able to draw attention to himself with 3 goals and 3 assists at the beginning of the season.
Squad-update
Coach Jason Jaspers has to do without Austin Rueschhoff. The striker suffered an upper body injury in a check against Budapest and will be missing for several weeks.
Voices before the game
Alan Lobis: “We have learned from the past two games and look forward. The most important thing is that we take our chances. We create a lot, but do not shoot the goals, we have to change that. We look forward to two great arenas and two exciting games!”
JC Lipon: “It is still very early in the season, which is why we can learn something in every game. We have worked well the week and will try to win both away games. We are all top fit, which is why it doesn’t matter to play two games within 24 hours.”
hcpustertal.com Image: Foppa Iwan – HC Puster Valley
