The season is not yet two months old, but on Tuesday evening in Vienna-Kagran you had the feeling that the playoffs were already underway.
The Vienna Capitals and the KAC played a heated game from the first face-off, which was marked by a few private skirmishes. In the end, the Viennese had to concede a 3:5 victory despite their temporary 2-0 lead. Game report >>>
Jeremy Gregoire, who returned to the line, scored the opening goal in the 17th minute, Leon Wallner made it 2-0 75 seconds later. It was a special goal for Gregoire in particular, because the Canadians were missing from the first duel of the two teams of the season on October 1, when he had to take a hard check from Maximilian Preiml.
The center was to be the center of attention again and again during the game, constantly being sent out and trash-talking KAC cracks.
Coach Gerry Fleming was accordingly happy with the return of the right-handed shooter: “He gave the team a lot of energy, he played hard. He did everything we asked.”
Powerplay great construction site
The lead after the first third was earned, the Caps moved their feet better and therefore repeatedly found gaps in the Klagenfurt defense, who looked distraught after three consecutive defeats – with their including the 2:3 after overtime in the Derby in Villach.
From the first face-off in the middle section things went steadily downhill for the Donaustadt team, Matt Fraser brought KAC back into the game with a deflection. Shortly after, Johannes Bischofberger punished the Capitals’ poor power play with a shorthanded pass from Dominique Heinrich.
“The power play came down to us again,” said Fleming, concerned that his team couldn’t convert any of the six power plays into a goal and announcing personnel changes in the same breath.
In general, the Viennese have been waiting for a power-play goal for five games now. “Obviously it’s frustrating, we have to work on it because the special teams are the main point in winning games,” said Captain Mario Fischer in an interview with ORF.
A double strike decides the game
(Article below the video)
The 2:2 was one of the sticking points in this encounter;
On the other hand, Vienna barely saw more ground when the numbers were even, made a few poor passes and were rarely able to combine into the dangerous areas around the goal as the game went on – and when they did, it was normal. a Klagenfurt player in between.
A double strike within 13 seconds followed shortly after the start of the final third and the game finally slipped away from the Capitals. “The two goals are particularly painful, of course. We were still in the game, so when you score two goals you have to pick yourself up,” said Leon Wallner.
The Caps managed to do this in the short term, Evan Jasper made the game hot again with the 3:4. But 59 seconds later, Preiml blueliner Simeon Schwinger deflected perfectly into the net and the hosts had no hope in the bud.
No margin for error
“We weren’t smart enough. We played for 40 minutes, then we were a bit inactive and we didn’t put enough energy on the ice. KAC took advantage of that,” summarized Fischer.
Coach Fleming sees no room for mistakes: “You will be penalized if you lose the puck carelessly. And that’s exactly what happened, we mismanaged the puck,” Canadian complained about his team’s “puck management”.
Fischer: “We work every day on the things we do badly to eliminate them. It’s also about the attitude of how you go into the game – these things are discussed and should be implemented. Unfortunately not We only did that for 40 minutes today and that’s why there was no victory.”
Was the game a reflection of the season so far? “I wouldn’t say that,” said Wallner, who alluded to the numerous injuries over the past few weeks. He believes in the team’s potential: “Overall, we have a great team and a lot can still be achieved. We just have to work towards that.”
ICE Power Rankings: The Austrians are worried
What do you think of this article?
Game, fighting hard to regain control, but those quick goals changed everything,” lamented Coach Fleming.
The KAC quickly capitalized on the momentum, first scoring to take the lead and then adding another shortly after, leaving the Capitals scrambling to catch up. Despite their efforts, the players found it increasingly difficult to regain their composure and capitalize on chances as the game wound down.
As the final whistle blew, the Capitals were left reflecting on missed opportunities and the importance of their power play. With their ongoing struggles in this area, the team will need to regroup mentally and strategically ahead of their next match. “We understand that we must improve our special teams play,” acknowledged Captain Fischer. “It’s a crucial part of the game, and we can’t afford to keep leaving goals on the table.” With the posters of the playoff atmosphere already buzzing in Vienna, the Capitals will be looking to bounce back quickly and assert themselves as a force in the league.
Next up, the team will focus on addressing these shortcomings in practice and will seek to turn the tide in their upcoming match, hoping to harness their earlier success and bring their power play back to life.
The recent match between the Vienna Capitals and KAC was a fierce contest that felt like a playoff game just two months into the season. Despite a promising start, the Capitals ultimately succumbed to a 3:5 loss after leading 2-0 early on. Jeremy Gregoire, returning from injury, scored the opening goal, followed shortly by Leon Wallner’s second, offering hope to the home team.
However, the tide turned in the second period when KAC, despite their recent struggles, found their momentum. Matt Fraser’s deflection goal ignited their comeback, and a shorthanded goal from Johannes Bischofberger following a power play mishap by the Capitals underscored their struggles with special teams, which have been lacking for the last five games.
A critical moment came in the final period when KAC scored twice within 13 seconds, driving home their advantage. Even though Evan Jasper managed to draw the Capitals closer with a goal, Simeon Schwinger restored KAC’s two-goal lead shortly after, effectively sealing the Capitals’ fate.
Captain Mario Fischer emphasized the need for smarter play and energy throughout the game, noting the team’s inability to capitalize on opportunities and manage the puck effectively. Coach Gerry Fleming echoed his sentiments, acknowledging the stakes of each play and the importance of maintaining focus and intensity for the full game.
Despite the disappointing outcome, players like Leon Wallner remain optimistic about the team’s potential, acknowledging recent injury challenges and expressing confidence that with continued effort, they can improve. The match served as a stark reminder of the need for consistency and productivity, particularly in high-pressure situations as the season progresses.