League leaders Kapfen­berg beat ATSE Graz in the final match before Christmas

The Christmas match in the Ö Eishockey Liga Division East between league leaders Kapfenberger SV and ATSE Graz developed into a fast-paced end-to-end affair with few stoppages from the outset.

Graz made a dream start as Stefan Trost found space perfectly in the offensive zone and scored from the slot to make it 1:0 (4th min.). The Kangaroos then raised the tempo and created chances, but Florian Zeugswetter kept a clean sheet in the first period.

KSV turn the game around with two quick doubles

The visitors also made the better start to the second period: Simon Klicznik made it 2:0 for ATSE Graz after 61 seconds (22nd min.). The team led by player-coach Kris Reinthaler realised the seriousness of the situation and pulled one back at 1:2 on their second power play through a well-placed shot by Patrick Huppmann (26th min.). Just 36 seconds later, Lukas Winkler beat Graz netminder Zeugswetter at the near post to suddenly make it 2:2 (27th min.).

The home side were now clearly on top and took a 3:2 lead through Florian Hoppl one second before the halfway point (30th min.). Manuel Trost extended the lead to two goals with the 4:2 just 69 seconds later (31st min.).

At the start of the final period, the Eggenberg side capitalised on a power play they had carried over from the second period, with Niki Zierer cutting the deficit to 3:4 after just 56 seconds (41st min.). The match was exciting again. While shorthanded, Luca Rodiga missed the chance for a shorthander and the equaliser for Graz after a breakaway, before Pierre Graf made it 5:3 for Kapfenberg shortly afterwards (53rd min.).

In the end, the Kangaroos celebrated their ninth win in as many games and lead the Eastern table comfortably with a maximum 27 points.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division East:

Kapfenberger SV vs. ATSE Graz 5:3 (0:1,4:1,1:1)
Fri., 22 December 2023, 19:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg
Kapfenberger SV scorers: Patrick Huppmann (25:37 min./PP1), Lukas Winkler (26:13 min.), Florian Hoppl (29:29 min.), Manuel Trost (30:38 min.), Pierre Graf (52:01 min./PP1)
ATSE Graz scorers: Stefan Trost (03:22 min.), Simon Klicznik (21:01 min.), Niki Zierer (40:56 min./PP1)

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