Current Situation
Last week, the Red Bulls defeated the two best teams in the league with victories against Graz – then second in the standings – and league leaders Klagenfurt, moving them into second place and securing their playoff spot. However, the race for the top spots remains tight, as the different number of games played – Graz has played three fewer games than the Red Bulls, but is only three points behind in third place – leaves plenty of room for movement. A home win against the Hungarians would be crucial for the reigning champions, but the Hungarians also desperately need every point to secure their pre-playoff berth.
Székesfehérvár Fueled by Desperation
The Hungarians currently sit in eighth place and are on track for the pre-playoffs. But their rivals are close behind, and Székesfehérvár, after six consecutive losses, cannot afford another setback. Bad luck has often played a part in their recent run; Three losses – including against KAC and VSV – were only decided in overtime, and two other games ended with a single-goal difference.
The difference for the Hungarians, however, is forward Anze Kuralt, who is his team's top scorer with 13 goals and 17 assists. The 34-year-old Slovenian already got on the scoresheet in the victory against the Red Bulls in Székesfehérvár in October. Janos Hari, who once played in Salzburg, still knows where the net is at 33 and is Hungary's second-highest scorer with 11 goals and 16 assists.
Personnel situation
Defenseman Dennis Robertson and forward Florian Baltram remain unavailable after leaving the game in Graz on Friday due to injuries (both with concussions). Niki Kraus is fit again, and 19-year-old Salzburg native Fabian Baumann, who only made his professional debut on Sunday in Klagenfurt, remains on the roster.
Defenseman Tyler Lewington was suspended for five games and fined €2,400 for violating the win2day ICE Hockey League's code of ethics and disciplinary regulations during Friday's game against the Moser Medical Graz99ers.
Head Coach Manny Viveiros was also fined €2,600 for damaging the team's integrity during the post-game interview following the January 11 game against HC Falkensteiner Pustertal in Bruneck.
