The Rauch Technology Sharks1 Gmunden played an important home game on Saturday December 2nd, 2023 against WEV Vienna in the ÖEL (Austrian Ice Hockey League). The WEV was in fourth place in the current table, the Sharks behind them in fifth place. First of all, praise and thanks to the Viennese cracks including the bus drivers who made the journey to Gmunden despite the snow chaos. Both teams were aware of the importance of this encounter.
From the start, this game was powerful with chances on both sides. But it took until the 9:27 minute when Moritz Neubauer was able to use the pass from Patrick Gaffal and Jonas Kail to make it 1-0. Four minutes later, N. Kompain took the opportunity to equalize 1:1. The remaining minutes in the first third belonged to the goalkeepers, who thwarted further goals.
It continued in this key. In the 31st minute of the game, C. Vermeersch slammed the hard rubber disc into the net, making it 1-2, making it 1-2. Just under a minute later, Mario Pichler took revenge after an assist from Moritz Neurauter with a beautifully played 2-2. The remaining 8 minutes of the game were rolling, goalless attacks until the halftime siren.
The last section of the game was a “big meal” for the Gmundner Haie. First Felix Mayer was there after a pass from Moritz Neurauter to make it 3-2. In the 48th minute of the game, Albin Schuster went solo, who sank the puck to make it 4-2, and finally a goal worth seeing two minutes before the end of the game. Goalkeeper Luka Gracner played the puck ideally to Allesandro Mühllechner, who extended it to Adrian Rosenberger and the hard rubber disc hit the Viennese goal for a 5-2 home win.
With this victory, the Rauch Technology Sharks Gmunden were able to win WEV overtake and take fourth place in the table and are now equal in points with that ATSE Graz can be found on the current table with 9 points.
„An important victory this evening, for which I would like to warmly congratulate my team. Today the finish was good and some players showed their talent. But the focus is on the future. There are two difficult away games next weekend. On Friday December 8th, 2023 there will be an open-air game at Heumarkt against WEV to Vienna and 2 days later on Sunday December 10th, 2023 to the Murtal Lions in Zeltweg. A monster program that will demand all your strength!” said a visibly satisfied trainer Gregor Baumgartner.
