The much-anticipated competition at ICEHL has started, expanding to three clubs this season. The Czech Znojmo returned, and the big rivals in this league, HC Pustertal and HK SŽ Olimpija, transferred from the Alpine Hockey League. Competition in the ICEHL (former EBEL league), which represents a competition of the highest quality class in the wider region, was the central goal of our club.
After four seasons in the AHL, where they won the title twice, the Ljubljana hockey players played their opening game in the ICEHL on Friday night away from the HC Innsbruck team. Against the Austrian team, they cloned only in the last third with 3: 4 (2: 1, 0: 1, 1: 2), in the end there was little left for a positive outcome.
The Dragons, who made demanding preparations with coach Mitja Šivic, started excellently and after the first third went to the locker room with a goal advantage. They took care of the shock of the home fans first Gregor Koblar in the 7th minute and just under a minute and a half later Christian Čepon. The home team managed to beat the goalkeeper just before the end of the third period Paava Hölso. In the continuation of the game, the home team equalized and the result remained unchanged until the 53rd minute. It's before the end of the match Mitja Šivić risked the game without a goalkeeper, which the locals took advantage of and increased the score in their favor. Just before the end of the match, he scored another 4: 3 Miha log into.
»We showed we came for the win. The first third we kept to what was agreed, we scored two goals, we kept to the puck… Then we got that unfortunate goal before the end of the third when we had more players. We must learn not to give in in such situations. The Austrians were better in the second third, and we deserved much more in the last third. We had better chances to score, but we didn’t give it up. Unfortunately it was given by the locals, but I’m sure we were better in the last third. And then the match was decided by that goal,"The coach commented on the course of the match Mitja Šivić.
And added: »We can be happy with most things, but we will still have to fix a few things. We will try this in the next match. In fact, I can’t be happy with the defeat. But nothing, heads up and we move on.«
The Dragons ’first home game awaits on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 18.00 p.m., when the Graz99ers host the Tivoli Hall.
All hockey fans and enthusiasts are invited to accompany the premiere home performance of the Dragons at ICEHL. In addition to combat and heart hockey, you will also be entertained by the Slovenian Railways Wind Orchestra and Nuša Derenda, as well as a surprise.
The live broadcast will be on Šport TV.
