After the break one would have expected the road team to tighten up their game but a quick power play goal by KAC on a rebound in front and some very sloppy defensive zone play lead to two more goals putting KAC up 4 – 0 midway through the game. After substituting Nicole Arnberger for a visibly shaken Ungar (coming into the game with a lower body injury) the 48er/Stars got their first break and capitalized on a hard left wing slap shot from Dylan Weber assisted by Fabian Tomanek in the 36^th minute to give them some hope. The game seemed now to change with the Stars energized by the goal and pressing the rest of the period but unrewarded.

The third period saw a completely different Stars team that finally found some of their missing offense and quickly scored on a hard point shot by Stefan Hrdina to cut the lead to 4 – 2. The play was now being carried by the Stars who missed several golden chances to close the gap but in a 4 on 4 situation after coincidental minors in the 49^th minute mark, a poor defensive decision lead to a KAC breakaway and another 3 goal lead heading into the third period.

The Stars seemed unshaken by the late KAC goal and promptly scored off an Albert Krammer shot from Schroeder and Houben in the 51^st minute and after Marco Richter scored two minutes later and a now visibly nervous home team, the game was now up for grabs. After opportunities by both sides and the Stars pressing for the equalizer a hard KAC wrist shot that Arnberger managed to get a piece of, fell into the back of the net. Down by two the 48er /Stars were not willing to go down without a fight and threw everything they had but could not find the back of the net. The seventh goal on a lucky deflection was merely cosmetic and ended a very entertaining game in which the home team deservedly won the game 7 – 4.

“We have been on a good run and it has been a long time since we lost so I think it was good the players were reminded that you have to be ready to play from the first minute and not wait until half way through a game to get going. I was very disappointed in our defensive play today and although we showed some good character and spirit to make it close it was too little too late. It will be our commitment to defensive play that make the difference and that is the toughest part of the game to understand for our players.  In this round every team will show up and I hope we can learn from this loss and bring better attitude with us the rest of the way” were the coach’s remarks after the loss.