Fehérvár Advances to EBEL Semifinals: 3-0 Win Over KAC

SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR, Hungary – The Hydro Fehérvár AV19 are moving on to the semi-finals of the ICEHL playoffs after a decisive 3-0 victory over EC-KAC Klagenfurt on Wednesday night at the MET Aréna. The win secured the series for Fehérvár, 4-2, marking only the second time in franchise history they’ve reached this stage of the Austrian-based league’s post-season.

The series had been a tightly contested affair, with Fehérvár earning a 3-2 lead after a hard-fought 4-3 victory in Klagenfurt on Monday. That win set the stage for Wednesday’s clincher, played before a near-capacity crowd of 4733.

While Klagenfurt came out pressing in the early minutes, the first period remained scoreless. Fehérvár generated some dangerous opportunities of their own, with Max Gerlach and Mihály Ákos coming close to opening the scoring. The breakthrough came in the second period, with Fehérvár capitalizing on a two-man advantage. March 25th, at 8 minutes into the period, Csanád Erdély redirected a shot from Joel Messner, putting Fehérvár ahead 1-0.

Klagenfurt responded with a flurry of pressure, earning a power play of their own. They peppered Reijola with shots, hitting the post three times, but the Fehérvár netminder stood tall, keeping the visitors off the board. Late in the second, Fehérvár had another opportunity on the power play, but couldn’t extend their lead.

The third period saw Fehérvár continue to create chances, but struggled to add an insurance goal. As the period wore on, Klagenfurt increased their intensity, pushing for the equalizer. With just under four minutes remaining, Hári János broke the deadlock, scoring a crucial goal on a quick counterattack to make it 2-0. János deked around Dahm with a skillful move.

The goal ignited the MET Aréna, and while Klagenfurt continued to fight, Fehérvár’s defense, anchored by Reijola, held firm. Trevor Cheek added an empty-net goal late in the game to seal the victory at 3-0.

Rasmus Reijola was instrumental in the win, stopping all 25 shots he faced. The Fehérvár defense, as a whole, proved resilient, effectively shutting down Klagenfurt’s offensive threats.

“We played for each other, we came together for the most essential part of the season,” said Fehérvár head coach Ted Dent after the game. “It’s a different kind of hockey in the playoffs, defense becomes even more important. We’re not a high-scoring team, so we need to concentrate on the back end, and that’s how we can have a chance.” Dent specifically praised Reijola’s performance throughout the series, calling it “fantastic.”

Klagenfurt head coach Kirk Furey acknowledged his team’s struggles to find the back of the net. “We were missing the goal in our game, maybe Fehérvár played the best today and defended highly well, but that was true throughout the series. It’s hard to say anything right now, we had quality things this season, and in the playoffs, it comes down to small things.”

The statistics reflected a closely contested game, with Fehérvár holding a slight edge in shots, 30-25. Fehérvár too capitalized on their power play opportunities, going 4-for-1, while Klagenfurt failed to convert on their single power play.

Fehérvár now advances to face Graz in the semi-finals. The team’s success has also resonated with its fanbase, with numerous supporters seen wearing team colors and apparel to work on game day, demonstrating a renewed sense of pride and engagement.

ICE HOCKEY

AUSTRIAN LEAGUE

QUARTER-FINAL, GAME 6

HYDRO FEHÉRVÁR AV19–EC-KAC (Austrian) 3–0 (0–0, 1–0, 2–0)

Székesfehérvár, MET Aréna, 4733 spectators. Referees: Ofner, Sternat, Bedynek (all Austrian), Jedlicka (Slovak)

FEHÉRVÁR: REIJOLA – Andersen, MESSNER / Stipsicz, Campbell / Kiss R., Horváth Donát / Falus – Archibald, HÁRI, CHEEK / ERDÉLY, Kulmala, Kuralt / Mihály, Richards, Gerlach / Ambrus Cs., Németh K., Magosi / Terbócs. Coach: Ted Dent

KAC: Dahm – Unterweger, Maier / Jensen Aabo, Preiml / Teves, Nickl / Dobrovolny, Sablattnig – Schwinger, Mursak, PETERSEN / FRASER, Herburger, FROM / Van Ee, Obersteiner, Moyle / Waschnig, Witting, Hochegger. Coach: Kirk Furey

Shots on goal: 30–25

Power play utilization: 4/1, vs. 1/0

The result of the series, which lasted until the fourth win of one of the teams: 4–2, in favor of Fehérvár