- Top Scorers missing from both Klagenfurt and Leksand
- Dahm dazzles, keeping the Swedes scoreless for three periods
- Leksand outshoot Klagenfurt 36-21!
It was a tough opening twenty minutes for Leksands IF, who despite outshooting their hosts 13-6 in the first period, trailed 1-0. Less than three minutes into the first period, the Swedish visitors got their first powerplay of the game, after a hooking call on KAC Klagenfurt's top scorer, Rok Tičar. The Swedish side had almost two solid minutes of zone action, but couldn't get one past netminder, Sebastian Dahm.
In a moment of bench confusion, Leksands were caught with six on the ice, giving Klagenfurt their first powerplay of the night. Things further deteriorated after Matt Caito was sent to the bin for a delay of game, giving the Austrians a 5-on-3. The opportunity was snapped up by the hosts. A beautiful pass from defenceman Clemens Unterweger, hit the tape of Thomas Koch, who wired the puck past Leksand's netminder Kasimir Kaskisuo.
Forward Isak Rosèn had great netfront chance, after collecting the puck on the doorstep of Dahm, but his attempt was gloved by the Danish netminder.
The visitors came out guns blazing in the second stanza, but it was Klagenfurt that caught the break. A tip-off a faceoff gave Johannes Bischofberger a breakaway, and with a short cut to left, his wristshot sailed past the blocker side of Kaskisuo. Forward Thomas Hundertpfund nearly put away a third goal, after he was let loose into the slot, but his attempt was scooped up.
With frustrations mounting on Leksand, four more minutes of powerplay opportunities came Klagenfurt's way, but they couldn't extend their lead before the bell.
Heading into the third period, Leksand had multiples chances with and without the man-advantage, peppering the net, but unable finish. A quick turnover saw Klagenfurt extend their lead 3-0, courtesy of a wrist shot from blueliner Steven Strong. Bischofberger netted his second of the night making it 4-0 for the hosts.
With 4.02 remaining on the clock, Leksand couldn't cut into the deficit, or get onto the scoreboard. The 4-0 victory at home gives Klagenfurt the upper hand, while Leksand will have to regroup and come up with some serious offense if they're to keep their CHL dreams alive.