Both teams played a cautious first period, clogging up the neutral zone. Greg Day had a great chance but whiffed on the puck in the right circle after a good feed by Adam Naglich. The first power play of the game went to EC Red Bull Salzburg after Sasha Pokulok was called for holding. Salzburg was not able to capitalize on that opportunity but only few seconds later Brent Aubin found the top corner on a glove side shot. Medvescak responded with some good chances right after but Thomas Höneckl made two excellent pad stops. Tomislav Zanoski then slipped through the right side and slapped one on Höneckl but once again Salzburg’s goalie was equal to it. Two minutes before the end of the first period the Croats scored on a fantastic passing play: Geoff Waugh made a good breakout pass to Day who then slipped it to Naglich who tipped it up close.

Steven Regier had the first chance of the second period but he hit Ouzas’ chest protector. Medvescak took the lead right after their power play, Matt Siddall scored with a good deflection in front of Höneckl. Both teams continued to create chances and after thw midway point of the game the visitors had a two men advantage but Medvescak killed it off. Höneckl then made two huge stops to keep the game close. Joel Prpic got called for hooking right after which put Salzburg on another power play. Salzburg took full advantage of their extra man, as Bois scored from up close. The hosts wasted some chances and it looked like that the game could go to overtime. But ten minutes before the end of the game the Croats displayed the fireworks with four goals within 69 secons. First, Tom Zanoski drove on the right wing and scored on a wonderful slap shot to make it 3:2. 18 seconds later Andy Sertich doubled the lead on a very similar play on the left wing. Then Frank Banham scored a brace to decide the game! Two minutes before the horn the Bulls scored to soften the blow of a big defeat, Manuel Latusa was the scorer.

14th successive away defeat for Jesenice
Before the game it was announced that the Captain Andrej Tavzelj has left HK Acroni Jesenice for Slovakia. In Graz, the Slovenes kept their away game open for only eight minutes when Sven Klimbacher opened the scoring with a shot into the top corner. Two minutes later Matthias Iberer doubled the lead and set the course for their sixth successive home victory. The hosts had chances with each minute passed but Gasper Kroselj performed some good saves. The same scenes took place in the middle period when the Styrians were predominant but missed several opportunities. After the midway point of the game they decided the game to their favor with a brace. First, Ivan Busque fired the puck into the top of the net and then Sebastien Bisaillon made it 4:0 with a slapshot. In the final period Graz shifted down a gear and rested players for the qualification round. In the 46th minute Jaka Ankerst scored the consolation goal when he poked the puck into the net. This was the last exciter of the game and because of Capitals' scoring point in Linz, Graz finished the regular season on ninth place.

Lakos celebrated home coming with two goals
What a comeback to Erste Bank Eishockey Liga by Andre Lakos. The defender scored twice to bring UPC Vienna Capitals into overtime in Linz. Although the Caps lost the shootout, they gained one required point for eighth place and two extra points. In the shootout the leaders hold the upper hand with Rob Hisey and Gregor Baumgartner counting for the hosts and only Jonathan Ferland finding the target for Vienna.

20.01.2012: KHL Medvescak Zagreb – EC Red Bull Salzburg 6:3 (1:1, 1:0, 4:2)
Goals Zagreb: 1:1 Naglich (18.), 2:1 Siddall (27.), 3:2 Zanoski (51./SH), 4:2 Sertich (52.), 5:2 6:2 Banham (52., 52./PP)
Goals Salzburg: 0:1 Aubin (12.), 2:2 Bois (42./PP), 6:3 Latusa (58.)

Moser Medical Graz99ers – HK Acroni Jesenice 4:1 (2:0, 2:0, 0:1)
Goals Graz: 1:0 Klimbacher (8.), 2:0 Iberer (10.), 3:0 Busque (32.) 4:0 Bisaillon (34.)
Goal Jesenice: 4:1 Ankerst (46.)

EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz – UPC Vienna Capitals 4:3 n. P. (1:2, 1:0, 1:1, 0:0, 1:0)
Goals Linz: 1:2 Irmen (19.), 2:2, 4:3 Baumgartner (31./pp, 65./dec. Penalty), 3:3 Grabher Meier (57.)
Goals Wien: 0:1 Oraze (3.), 0:2, 2:3 A. Lakos (16., 47./pp)