In a tough first period with both teams playing tight defensively it was the Caps who opened the scoring in the 10^th minute on an Adrian Huptys goal after winning a one on one battle down the middle of the ice and then pulling goalie Raphael Ungar with a nice move.  Although the Stars pressed and had several very good chances to tie the game the teams went into their respective dressing rooms with the Caps up by one.

The next frame was a mirror image of the first and with both teams working hard it was the Stars who capitalized early to tie the match on a nice shot from the high slot by Philipp Kreuzer unassisted. Midway through the second frame after numerous opportunities for both teams to score the EAC Jr. Caps took the lead once more when Dominik Grafenthin their most dangerous forward beat Ungar on a shot from in close that trickled through in slow motion. The 48er/Stars managed to kill off a late minor penalty to Philip Laurov with some strong shorthanded play especially from Raphi Ungar in net to stay within one going into the third.

Down by one and knowing the importance of the win the 48er/Stars hemmed the Caps in their defensive zone but could not find the range and missed the net on several point blank shots. Finally after a three minute barrage Marco Richter found the net on the short side on a nice pass from behind the net by Alexej Miskovez to even the score. The Caps who had been under constant pressure managed to counter more than once and had some great chances of their own to take the lead again but some great goaltending by Ungar and a cross bar kept the game tied. With two and a half minutes to play Sam Antonitsch scored on a nice shortside shot after some hard work behind the net by teammates Niki Kraus and Philipp Kreuzer to put the 48er/Stars in the lead for the first time in the game.

If not dramatic enough, with only 56 seconds to go a two minute minor to Richter gave the Caps one last hope. Calling a time out, Cap coach Siitarinen pulled his keeper in a last minute six on four to try to get the equalizer. Again Ungar was up to the task and with the help of his four teammates they held off a late Caps offensive to secure the victory. A last second gaol by Fritz Schröder was icing on the cake and an elated 48er/Star team poured on the ice to congratulate their goalie.

“This was a very tough hockey game with players on both teams giving all they had. We were very pleased to come out on top and the guys showed a lot of character coming from behind twice to take home the win,” voiced a visibly relieved coach Vorlicek after the game.

The 48er/Star Squad will take on KAC (Klagenfurt Athletic Club) next Saturday afternoon in Vienna.  This match-up may very well be a deciding game for the Austrian U15 Championship.