At the end of the Klagenfurt test week, the Vienna Capitals move into the first defeat of the preparation presented by Steffl Sports. As before, the EC-KAC and the EC IDM heat pumps VSV also have to give up the Grizzlys Wolfsburg, which won 4: 1.
Mitch Hults scores the opening goal for the Donaustädter (17th), but the Lower Saxony draw the game through goals from Tyler Gaudet (29th), Fabio Pfohl (39.) and Jacob Hayhurst (42nd, 50th). On Thursday at 7:00 p.m., the pre-season for the capitals continues with an away game at Slovan Bratislava.
Attacker Jérémy Grégoire had his first effort from the ongoing pre-season against Wolfsburg. Thanks to the consent of the Grizzlys, the Viennese were allowed to nominate 21 field players for today’s duel, so only the injured Armin Preiser had to watch from the stands. Evan Cowley, who replaced Sebastian Wraneschitz, started in the goal.
First third
The initial phase of the game was balanced. A supposed grizzly gate in the seventh minute were revoked for high sticks. In minute ten, the Donaustadt residents had to act outnumbered for the first time after a punishment against Mitch Hults.
However, the Viennese showed the entire game over saddle festival in the penaltykill. So even after a punishment against Erik Kirchschläger in the 14th minute. In minute 15, the Capitals even found the possibility of the SHORTHADER. The Viennese were able to create a majority in the zone of the Germans through a quick return, but at the end it did not occur. In the event of numerical balance, the puck then fell in the goal of the Lower Saxony. Grégoire conquered the disc in the 17th minute in the opposing third and served Mitch Hults. The American stayed cool in front of Grizzlys goalie Dustin Strahlmeier and netted for Vienna’s leadership (17th).
Second third
From the 22nd minute, the Viennese were also allowed to try. The only power play that was triggered by Jimmy Martinovic was without countable. A punishment against Sam Antonitsch because of holding the Lower Saxony brought a power play again. Again, the capitals remained stable. For the first time, it ripped behind Cowley in minute 29. The caps goalie had plenty of traffic in front of a save, Tyler Gaudet poked the puck over the line (29th). Subsequently, both teams came to goal opportunities. Shortly before the second third break, Fabio Pfohl defeated the caps goalie from an acute angle (39th).
Third third
Shortly after the restart, the grizzlys increased. Jacob Hayhurst hurried the caps defender and stayed confidently before Cowley (42nd). In the 50th minute, the Canadian laced a double pack. After a change error by the Viennese, Hayhurst moved alone to the goal and overcame Cowley (50th). After the goal for 1: 4, the game rippled only. The last offensive efforts of the Viennese by Zane Franklin, Randy Gazzola and Dominic Hackl remained unrequested. The capitals had to give up the Wolfsburgers for the third time in a row after 2023 and 2024.
Statement Gerry Fleming
“Today we learned important lessons for the further course of the preparation. Puck management was a problem in today’s game. As far as the line-up is concerned, we experimented. For us, it is about finding out the combinations in which the right chemistry prevails, whoever harmonizes with whom.
viennacapitals.at Image: Fehernervarav19 – Julianna Kocsis
