A thrilling Karawanken derby unfolded in Villach on Sunday, as the EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV overcame a steadfast HK Olimpija Ljubljana with a final score of 8-5. The victory was fueled by hat tricks from both Guus van Nes and Adam Helewka, marking a significant step for Villach as they battle for a coveted pre-playoff position in the league standings. Despite a back-and-forth second period that saw Ljubljana briefly close the gap,Villach ultimately proved too strong,capitalizing on key power play opportunities and late-game empty-net goals to secure the win.
A high-scoring affair saw the EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV defeat HK Olimpija Ljubljana 8-5 on Sunday evening in a thrilling Karawanken derby. Guus van Nes and Adam Helewka each recorded hat tricks as Villach secured a well-deserved victory and crucial points in their quest for a pre-playoff position.
First Period
The game got off to a fast start in Villach, with Ljubljana applying early pressure through an aggressive forecheck. Villach struggled to establish possession in the opening minutes, but created the first dangerous chance of the night. Vallant sent a pass deep into the offensive zone, Hughes shifted the puck to the slot, but a Villach attacker was denied a clear shot on goal. Villach broke the deadlock soon after, as Vallant fired a shot from the blue line that Hancock skillfully deflected past the Ljubljana goaltender for a 1-0 lead. Ljubljana struggled to generate offense initially, despite forcing several Villach turnovers. The visitors’ first significant opportunity came in the ninth minute when Kirichenko drove to the net from the left side. Both teams then traded counter-attacks, with Petan skating through on the right before shooting just wide, and Hughes testing the Ljubljana goalie with a slap shot from the right. Ljubljana equalized at 1-1 in the 14th minute, as Quince drove to the net and scored with a backhand shot. The period took a tense turn with just over two minutes remaining, as a turnover in the Villach zone nearly led to a go-ahead goal for Ljubljana, but Cannata made a spectacular save with his glove. Villach regained the lead with 41 seconds left in the period, as MacPherson’s shot from the right side found the back of the net, leaving the Ljubljana goalie screened and unable to react. Villach took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
Second Period
Villach started the middle frame with a strong forecheck, putting early pressure on Ljubljana and forcing two icings. Ljubljana responded with a dangerous counter, nearly beating Cannata, but the Villach netminder held firm. Villach extended their lead to 3-1 in the 26th minute, as Hancock and Maxa combined to win the puck, with van Nes capitalizing on the rebound to score. Ljubljana then went on the attack, but Budgell blocked shots from Gregorc and Mašič, and Cannata stopped a long-range effort. Ljubljana was handed a power play in the 29th minute for goaltender interference, and Villach capitalized quickly. Just eleven seconds into the power play, van Nes scored again, capitalizing on confusion in front of the net to make it 4-1. Ljubljana nearly responded with a goal of their own, as Drozg hit the post with a slap shot. The momentum shifted again as Ljubljana cut the deficit to 2-4, with Drozg scoring on the rebound after a Villach turnover. Just 24 seconds later, the score was 3-4, as Cannata allowed a slapshot from Crnovic to get through, and MacWilliam potentially deflected the puck into the net. The Stadthalle was buzzing, but Villach restored a two-goal cushion with six minutes remaining, as Hughes set up Wall for a cross-zone pass that Helewka hammered home for a 5-3 lead. However, Ljubljana quickly answered back, as Sodja deked past the Villach defense and scored with a precise backhand shot to make it 4-5. A late chance for Boychuck went just wide, and Villach took a 5-4 lead into the second break.
Third Period
The final period began poorly for Villach, as Sabolič was set up perfectly in the left slot, but Cannata was unable to hold onto the initial shot, requiring a desperate scramble to clear the rebound. Villach responded with a chance of their own, but Kolin denied a Wall slap shot. Helewka had a golden opportunity to extend the lead in the 45th minute, but his pass was inaccurate. Villach then executed a textbook counter-attack, with Strong finding Hughes, who set up Helewka for a 6-4 goal. Ljubljana pressed for a response, and Helewka was sent to the penalty box for holding, giving the league’s best power play unit a chance to get back into the game. Cannata made two saves against Meyer during the penalty kill, and Villach survived. Villach then earned a power play of their own after van Nes was taken down, but failed to convert. Ljubljana pulled their goalie with just over three minutes remaining, but a costly turnover by Mašič allowed van Nes to score into the empty net, completing his hat trick. Ljubljana responded with a goal from Boychuck with 1:36 left, making it 5-7. Ljubljana pulled their goalie again, and Helewka completed his own hat trick with another goal into the empty net, sealing the 8-5 victory.
EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV – HK Olimpija Ljubljana 8-5 (2:1 | 3:3 | 3:1)
VSV Scorers: Hancock, MacPherson, van Nes, van Nes (PP1), Helewka, Helewka, van Nes (EN), Helewka (EN)
HKO Scorers: Quince, Drozg, MacWilliam, Sodja, Boychuck
