- Tychy have continued to falter despite decent netminding
- Klagenfurt hope to maintain momentum following previous win
- Mario Kempe and co. might be the ingredient that keeps Klagenfurt's Playoff hopes alive
KAC Klagenfurt redeemed themselves as they followed up their Game Day 3 loss with a 6-3 win over the Odense Bulldogs. Luka Gomboc scored the game winner, rocketing a one-timer from just above the crease while, Nicholas Petersen and David Waschnig tacked on two more tallies in the third period. Their opponents have yet to see any such production from their squad, however, as GKS Tychy fell 3-2 to Luleå Hockey and are the only club in the competition without a point in the standings.
Notwithstanding their 4-0 loss to ZSC Lions Zurich, the Poles have been able to keep their games close - even against the tougher competitors in the Champions Hockey League. This is in no small thanks to, Tomáš Fučík who, despite being winless, has still managed to impress between the pipes.
The 31-year-old netminder has manned the crease in all four contests and has only conceded 12 goals on 121 shots. He sports serviceable numbers in both save percentage (90.98%) and goals against (3.01) all the while his club has been drastically outshot in all but one of their matches. Providing a spark on offence to backup their more-than-capable netminder could help give Tychy their penultimate swan song before they bow out.
Klagenfurt, on the other hand find themselves on the clear side of the standings but still in muddy waters. As with each contest in the tournament, the stakes are high, but the Austrians seem up for the challenge after their convincing win over Odense. What's more, they currently carry one of the better forwards in Mario Kempe who is tied for the league lead in points with seven (2G, 5A) in four games played.
Having such firepower up front could be the element that helps Klagenfurt continue their run for the European Trophy.