Stars Drop Second in a Row to Zell Am See

The L.A. Stars Prep team had ample support five-on-five, but their struggling powerplay was their Achilles’ Heel Sunday, as the Zell Am See squad scored three – yes, THREE – short-handed goals and one powerplay goal en route to a 5-2 victory over the Stars. Sandro Aeschlimann was unable to stop the bleeding despite playing very well for the hometown Stars.

Marco Richter opened the scoring for the L.A. boys in the first, banging home a redirected puck from a Niki Kraus attempted shot, giving the Stars an early lead. Not long after, however, the Stars D-zone buckled under pressure and Zell drew even before the period end.

In the second period, the Stars were even when playing five-on-five, but their PK and PP surrendered goals, and the visitors were up 3-1 heading into the dressing room.

The third period was another disappointing frame, the EKZ scored on the first shift of the period, stealing a puck (again) on the powerplay, and burying to make it 4-1 early. The Stars gave fans hope of a comeback as Fabio Kläy buried (Hrdina, Leisser) to make it 4-2, but once again, another disappointing short-handed goal against ended any hope.

Despite out-chancing the EisBaren, coach Jason O’Leary was painfully aware that their PP needs more work. “We were unable to react to the pressure Zell threw at us; they are a fast skating team, and when they pursued the puck, our inability to handle it (the puck) clean and move it simply escaped us. I am at a loss for words. We out-chance and out-play a team five-on-five, but we have got to sense the more urgent times and react accordingly.” Next up for the Stars is another tough game against top-ranked KAC after the semester break. Game time is Sunday at 13:30.