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Struggling Znojmo await the second best team in EBEL

Second best offense team that is also the most successful one in away matches play against the second least successful home team and one of the worst defense teams in the league. Villach, with some minor injuries, travel to the Czech Republic to play Znojmo and their defense, which is decimated by injuries and other problems

The match between Znojmo and Villach in the Czech Republic will be interesting for the both teams, who are currently in completely opposite parts of the championship table. Villach are holding the second, and Znojmo the penultimate position in EBEL after two consecutive defeats and many other problems. Interestingly, the Czech team lost both home matches, while Villach won the three away matches. 

VSV are confident, despite minor injuries.


- We didn't have it easy in the second match last weekend due to fatigue and the fact that we didn't have all the players at our disposal. But still, we didn't play badly, the Caps simply had a great night and played well. I think this defeat will do the boys some good experience vise - said Villach's player Altmann about the defeat to Vienna.


A few of their players are injured, but they are not the key ones. Since they have an almost perfect score when it comes to away matches this season, Altmann talked about their winning formula:


-  It will be a very long day and Znojmo are a good opponent. But, I believe in us, in our team, in our coaches. When it comes to away matches, we are always together as a team wherever we go, we hang out together, especially after lunch. Sleeping is also important. We usually watch movies together, play cards or talk when we spend time together.


Benjamin Petrik is back. Of the rest six injured players, only Pewal, and backs Jarret and Hotham are important. VSV can count on their well experienced goalie Lamoureux too, who is traditionally good. 


Situation in Znojmo is completely different when it comes to results and championship position. They are now playing one of the best teams when it comes to offense (VSV has a 23-16 goal difference), while the Czech team struggle with defense and poor scoring (10-13 goal difference).  Besides, they also have a bad power play (below 10%). They can find inspiration in the fact they won against this team home two times last season. But, their team is completely different and some of the best players such as Kim Stromberg (Bolzano), KyleWharton (Slavia Prag) i Ondrej Kacetl (Mountfield) left.


Due to money problems, both of Znojmo's goalies left the club earlier this week, so the board had to do something fast since they had only one goalie left - a young Czech goalie Landsman who didn't play many matches and whose saves percentage (around 91%) isn't all that promising. They decided to hire the Finnish goalie Hovi, who is still between Finnish first and second division and who is also at around 92% of saves. 


Besides, he missed the entire last season due to an injury and didn't have a club until Znojmo hired him. That means that either young Landsman, who was the third goalie up until a few days ago, or Hovi, who didn't play an official match for over a year will be on the goal for Znojmo.


 - I worked hard in the last few months to get back. I'm happy with how prepared I am right now. I have a lot of experience. Znojmo wanted me to join because a goalie plays an important part in their game, and I wanted to come - we agreed on it very fast - said Znojmo's new goalie.


Furthermore, Znojmo's three starting line-up players are injured - two of them are really important. Both alternative captains will be out, one of the best defensemen Stach, and forward Blatny too. Center Puchner, who is also a defense player, will miss the match too. Znojmo's defense will because of that, have an even more difficult challenge against the Austrian team

Villach is known as the second best and second most efficient EBEL team. They play better away than at home. Their opponent is the worst home team of the league, Znojmo, who are also placed in the lower part of table. The Austrians don't have almost any absences and they have a secure and experienced goaltender on goal, while Znojmo are in big financial problems. They also can't count on their two goaltenders, and the substitutes are not at the same level of quality. VSV are statistically better in almost all areas, and their victory is the logical choice. Given that a victory in the EBEL carries two points in regular and in overtime i decided to bet on the "final outcome". The Austrians also have a better goalkeeper if there is a penalty shootout. Also, for a smaller amount you could bet on a convincing Villach victory. If they score early, everything is possible.