Varsity Team News

A combined Varsity and Jr. Varsity squad had a busy day on Sunday.  First off the team moved up to the U 20 level to face Feldkirch in the afternoon.  Then at 7:00 pm of the same day this combined team played the New Zealand U 18 National.  The New Zealand team is here in St. Polten to train in preparation for their world championships.  It was a tough 4-1 loss in the afternoon to Feldkirch but the coaching staff was hopeful that the Stars would bounce back with a strong effort in the New Zealand game. 

After the warm-up the teams lined up on their respective blue lines and the Stars witnesses the New Zealand hockey version of the famous Haka from the All Black rugby tradition.  WOW!! (Video Clip Available on OHA Europe Facebook page) With both teams now fired up, the Stars were looking for a good start to the contest.   With the Stars carrying the play in the early going, it was Eduard Kuznetzov who was the first to find the net on a feed from Vlad Rodnov.  Aljaz Chvatal on a great individual effort put the Stars up 2-0.  Luka Zndarsic followed with the Stars third goal of the opening period on a pass from linemate Todd Poynter.  Elliah Knecht had a solid start in the nets for the Stars and it was not until 15:06 of the first frame that the New Zealand team got one past the Stars netminder to get on the board before an entertaining first period came to a close.

The second period saw the New Zealand team challenge the Stars and worked hard to narrow the gap.  However, two quick goals by the Stars halfway through the second period broke the game open.  First it was Johannes Leitner on a blast from the point.  Assisting on the play were Reinis Skorovs and Ganzalo Ruiz.  Then just 29 seconds later Znidarsic found the net on a great pass from Chvatal.  Hugo Jansons gave the Stars their third goal of the period on a nice one time blast from the right side when Rodnov slide the pass across a crowded net front.  The Stars were up 6-1 after two periods.

The two teams trades goals in the second with the Stars adding their seventh tally late in the third to round things out in a spirited and entertaining contest.  Final Stars 7; New Zealand 2.

The Stars still had an opportunity to gain a split on the weekend and still have a chance at finishing in second place for the second half of the season.  A win in KAC was a must.  With the 7-2 loss last Saturday in St. Polten still fresh in their minds a win over KAC was not going to be easy.  The Stars never really got into the game and trailed 2-0 after the first period.  The second frame was much of the same and the Stars found themselves down 4-0 heading into the third period.  The third period saw the Stars direct several chances at the KAC net but to no avail.  Final LA Stars 0; KAC 5.

After an impressive showing on home ice last weekend the Varsity Stars were looking to continue their solid play and finish in second place for the second half of the season.  This meant the Stars needed to find a way to win in Salzburg, a rink that has not been friendly to the Varsity team this season.  However, it would be EC Red Bull that would start the scoring at 6:44 of the first period.  Four minutes later the Stars got on the board on the power play as Ricco Ratajczyk scored on a play from Daniel Gysi and Marvin Alena.  Salzburg regained the lead before the end of the first.

In the second period it was more from Salzburg as they added two more goals to extend their lead.  The Stars were unable to push back and did little to muster any consistent offence. The period would end with Red Bull leading 4-1.  The Stars would need to dig deep in the third if they had any chance of getting back into this game.

The third period saw a better effort from the Varsity team but they left it too late to take over the lead.  Despite making things interesting with a goal at 11:52 of the third, as Luka Znidasic found the net on a pass from Gysi, this game belonged to Salzburg.  Final LA Stars 2; EC Red Bull 4.

Another Strong Effort
Feb. 19/2012

A quick start was just what the Stars had in mind as they hoped to avenge a tough loss in Villach last weekend.  Thanks to Marvin Alena scoring just thirteen seconds into the game things looked good for the Varsity squad.   Sam Antonitsch drew the lone assist.  Villach evened the score before the Stars pulled ahead courtesy of their hot power play.  It was Gonzalo Ruiz who found the net with the help of Martan Ladanyi and Mortiz Matzka.   The power play would strike once more before the period was over as Ricco Ratajczyk pounced on a rebound in front of the net.  Ugliesia Novakovic and Alena assisted on the play.  The Stars headed to the dressing room up three to one. 

The two teams traded goals in the second period; each team netting two.  Phillip Pocshmann had both the Stars goals with Ladanyi helping on the first marker and Florian Wallner assisting on the second.  Could the Stars, who held the lead for five periods over the last two games, hold off a strong Villach team to gain their second victory of the weekend?  

Villach turned things up to start the third period and pulled within one goal seven minutes into period three.  The Stars answered back when Ratajczyk scored on a beautiful pass from Alexander Karachun.  Villach were not done and again pulled within a goal to keep things close as the third period wore on.  With some strong defense and another excellent performance by Gernot Wegerer in net the Stars preserved the victory.  Final Stars 6; Villach 5 

Good Start to the Weekend
Feb. 18/2012

With two games at home this weekend the Varsity Stars were looking for some positive results.  With KAC and VSV visiting the Klenk Dome the task of earning victories would not be easy.  The weekend started with the match on Saturday against KAC.  In the first period the Stars seemed a little disorganized allowing KAC to generate some solid scoring chances.  Gernot Wegerer was on his game and turned aside these early opportunities. Then at 8:41 of the first, on a strong individual effort, Alexander Karachun opened the scoring for the Stars; assists going to Ricco Ratajcyk and Ben Sera.  This seemed to spark the Stars as their game began to take form.  At 13:46 of the first Ricco Ratajcyk scored on the power play to put the Stars up by two with Marvin Alena and Sam Antonitsch assisting.  This power play goal was a sign of good things to come for L.A.  KAC pulled back into the game late in the first and the teams headed into the dressing rooms with the Stars enjoying a 2-1 lead. 

The Stars controlled the second period with Daniel Gysi scoring on the power play on a nice backdoor feed from Antonitch.  Luka Znidarsic tucked in a pretty goal completing pass from Aljaz Chvatal.  The Stars got their third marker of the period again on the power play as Johannes Leitner scored on a shot from the point on a pass from Moritz Matzka.  KAC answered back with one goal to leave the score 5-2 after two. 

The third period saw the Stars lock down the victory with two more goals.  Matan Ladnyi scored from Phillip Poschmann and Luke Znidarsic.  Finally, the Stars rounded out the scoring once again on the power play as Ratajcyk netted his second from Antonitsch and Karachun.    Final Score: Stars 7, KAC 2.

Varsity Stars Earn Split on the Road
12. Feb. 2012

The LA 1 Varsity came away with 2 of a possible 4 points on the road this weekend losing a tough one in Villach on Saturday and rebounding with a win on Sunday in Graz.

The Saturday contest in Villach was close but a weak second period cost the Stars the game. After Luka Znidarsic opened the scoring from Aljaz Chvatal and Marton Ladanyi in the second minute the Stars played a spirited period missing ample opportunities to increase the lead and consequently late in the period it would be an uncovered VSV player in front of starting goalie Gernot Wegerer taking a pass from behind the net to even the score at one.

The second frame started off well for the road Stars and the game stayed even until the thirteenth minute when Villach took the lead when a player was left uncovered in front. Fate struck a blow when a bad angle shot caught by Wegerer was deemed to have crossed the line while in his catcher by the official, to give the home side a two goal advantage. Some bad clearing in the defensive zone lead to a point shot that rebounded to a VSV forward in front to give his team a 4 - 1 lead. Just when lings looked like they would get worse with the Stars taking a penalty in the last minute Sam Antonitsch made a great offensive play, stripping a Villach player of the puck on the penalty kill and walking in to score his first of two goals on the night. A point shot would beat the VSV goalie in the last second of the frame but unfortunately the buzzer beat the puck into the net and the period would end with Villach up by a couple.

When Antonitsch scored again early in the third again on a great individual effort on a one man forecheck, the Stars got the lift they needed and pressured Villach looking for the eaqualizer. A somewhat weak call for slashing in the fortyninth minute lead to a VSV powerplay that they converted to once again go up by two. With just three minutes to go the Stars got back to within one when Florian Wallner jamed the puck into the Villach net from Ladanyi and Antonitsch on a scramble in front and the race was on. Both teams were looking for the next goal and with Villach in the box for slashing, the Stars tried to pull Wegerer for the sixth attacker but just could not gain control of the play long enough to get set and gave up a goal with just 23 seconds left on the clock on a neutal zone misscue. The game ended 6 - 4 for the home team but the Stars put up a great battle coming up just short in the end.

Final Score VSV 6,  LA Varsity Stars 1 (1 - 1, 3 - 1, 2 - 2)

Sundays Game in Graz was much the same as the villach game but with a more concentrated effort and a much more favorable outcome. Stars showed some great character early on after killing off a full two minute 3 on 5 Graz powerplay which really set the tone for the game. Graz did opened the scoring at the seven minute mark and took the lead into the first break while being out played for the most part by a very solid, hard working Stars team.

In the second the Varsity squad was rewarded for their hard work when Ricco Ratajczyk scored on a nice pass from Sam Antonitsch continuing his good play from the previos day. When Sascha Karachun scored on a broken play the Stars were on a roll with a much better defensive effort and some stellar play by goalie Raphie Ungar who was not only stopping everything but also contributing to the offense with some great long passes to his forwards, the stage was set for a great third frame.

The much sought after two goal advantage came half way through the third when Philipp Pöschmann served up a great two on one pass to Florian Wallner who made no mistake driving to the net and beating the Ninty Niners Goalie. The stars were now playing very well and could have added to the lead but instead it was Graz who got the goal on a nice shot from in tight. Now with just under a minute to go the Stars were penalized once more and faced an empty net 6 on 4 powerplay. The Stars would not give in on this day and kept Graz out of their zone long enough to clam the victory.  An unfortunate melee broke out after the contest with both teams involved. Even though the game meant very little in the standings this was an emotional win for the Stars.

Final Score: Graz 99ers 2, LA Varsity Stars 3, (1 - 0, 0 - 2, 1 - 1)

LA Varsity ties in Innsbruck
6. Feb. 2012

The Varsity Stars traveled to Innsbruck Sunday morning to face HCI in U17 competition and came away with a 4 - 4 tie. It looked like the Stars would be able to take more than just one point but as in the past they were not able to out last Mario Huber and co. who came back from a 1 - 4 deficit to gain the tie.

The Stars started out with some good offensive hockey and put Innsbruck on the defence early and only a good goalie and luck kept the hungry Stars off the scoreboard. It would be Mario Huber, who else, who would put his team up 1 - 0 in the seventh minute when he picked up a misshandled puck at center and went in alone to beat Raphie Unger in net for the Stars. Philipp Pöschmann responded from Antonitsch and Wallner  on a nice short side shot high to knot the game at one. Pöschmann scored once more in the last minute of the first on a powerplay when he put in a rebound from Miskovez and Leitner to give his team a one goal lead at the break.

The second started off well for the Stars who looked very confident and got a well deserved break in front of the Innsbruck net as Luka Znidarsic banged in a rebound during a scramble with Kastner and Chvatal getting assists on the goal. It got even better when the road team went in front by three with Marvin Alena scoring on a nice point shot unassisted putting his team in complete control of the game. Unfortunately the Stars would not go into the second period intermission up by three as Huber scored his second of the night on a bad angle shot that snuck in the short side past Ungar to give his squad some hope.

The third period was an even affair until the thirteenth minute when a wrap around attempt by Huber was stopped by Ungar only to have the linesman claim he saw it in. After a brief conference the referee promptly called a goal for the home side. To add insult to injury the Stars got another bad call to put them down two men but killed off the three on five and again took to the offense hitting the iron a couple of times but not getting a bounce when they needed it. Innsbruck struck once more when Huber again bet three Star players and put the tying goal behend Ungar who otherwise had a solid effort for his team. On thier own tree on five late in the game anothe shot off the cross bar and two minutes of offensive zone play the Stars could not get the winner and had to settle for the tie. It was a spirited game and taking a point in Innsbruck should do a lot for the Stars confidence when they face Villach and Graz next weekend!

Final Score Huber 4 : Stars 4, (1-2,1-2,2-0)

In U17 league action Saturday, the Varsity Stars fell 4-1 to the visiting Innsbuck Sharks. The Stars started veteran netminder Raphael Ungar in goal, but he was unable to stem the Innsbruck offense, and Gonzalo Ruiz’s third period tally was the lone puck to get past the Innsbruck goalie.

The Stars battled hard but could not manage to harbor any major offensives as they played much of the game on the perimeter, unable to penetrate the Shark’s defense.

Coming off a 4-1 loss to Innsbruck, the LA Stars were looking to bounce back at home hosting the Graz 99'ers. Gernot Wegerer would get the start but the highly motivated Stars would need some time to find their rhythm. A turnover at the blue and a missed check would lead to a chance for the 99'ers and in the second minute of the game they would capitalize on their chance. This would be the theme of the night. 10 minutes later after many missed Star opportunities the 99'ers would get another partial break and the puck would find a hole between the legs of Wegerer.  With a little over a minute remaining in the first Florian Wallner would put one upstairs after Phillip Poeschmann outbattled the Grayer in the corner. 2-1 for Graz after one but the Stars had found their groove and the feeling in the dressing room was it was just a matter of time.

The Second period the Stars came out with authority and started getting more pucks to the net but Michael Bischoff was having his best game of the year between the pipes for the 99'ers, kicking all pucks aside. 10 minutes in to the second with Ben Sera sitting in the penalty box for a hooking call, the  99'ers would capitalize on the Power Play taking the wind out of the Sails of the Stars for the rest of the Period.

The third period was pure domination. For over 18 minutes of the period we were in the 99'er zone pressuring, hitting, winning pucks and getting an astounding 22 shots on net. But it was not our day, we couldn't get another puck past the netminder. Graz on the other hand would get one chance and would score on a nice 2 v 1 giving Wegerer no chance. It was one of those games you dread. We outshot Graz 42-17, but all that counts in this game is the number of goals you score. Graz cashed in on their chances and we didn't. But once again the real intensity didn't start until the third period, if we play like that all the time we will win a lot of games.

LA 1 : GRAZ 1:4 (1:2, 0:1,0:1)

Starting the second half after the Holiday break the Varsity Stars got into action on Sunday against the Red Bulls from Salzburg.  After nearly a month since their last contest the boys were anxious to get into game action.  It didn’t take long for the Stars to find the net, 1:06 into the contest Luka Znidarsic scored with Aljaz Chvatal getting the assist.  Just over two minutes later Red Bull evened the score.  The Stars weren’t done however and reclaimed the lead three minutes later at 6:29 of the first on one of Marton Ladanyi two on the night.  Ricco Ratajczyk and Alexander Karachun assisted on the play.  The first period ended and the Stars found themselves leading Red Bull 2-1, something that had not happened for the Stars in the first two meetings with Salzburg. 

In would be necessary for the Varsity Stars to keep pushing the pace in the second period in order to keep ahead of a young Red Bull team.  Just 30 seconds into the middle period Ladanyi moved down the left wing and threw the puck on net catching the Red Bull goalie off guard and putting the Stars up by two.  Ratajczyk got the lone assist on the play.  The Stars controlled the majority of the play in the second but had to settle for the lone goal. 

The third period saw the Stars playing a little tentative protecting their two goal lead.  As is the case in hockey, if you sit back the opposition will take advantage.  That is exactly what Salzburg did generating several scoring chances.  Finally, just over four minutes into the final frame  Red Bull pulled within a goal.  It would be a shame after a good start, if the Stars let the game slip away.  However, on this night the Stars found their composure and began to step up their game.  At 15:03 of the third Marvin Alena found the net on a hard shot from the high slot to re-establish the two goal cushion.  To seal the deal Philipp Poschmann completed the scoring with Florian Wallner and Reinais Skorovs assisting.  The L.A. Stars had their first win of 2012 with a 5-2 final over Red Bull of Salzburg.