Austrian Ice Hockey League 2007/08

	Erste Bank Ice Hockey League
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Master:	EC Red Bull Salzburg
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The 2007/08 season of the Austrian Ice Hockey League began on September 20, 2007. In addition to seven Austrian teams and HK Jesenice from Slovenia, two other teams from neighboring countries were included in the league: HDD Olimpija Ljubljana from Slovenia and Alba Volán Székesfehérvár from Hungary. Thus ten teams played for the title of Erste Bank Bundesliga.

In advance

Participating teams

EC Graz 99ers EC KAC EC VSV EC Red Bull Salzburg Vienna Capitals EHC Black Wings Linz Jesenice HDD Olimpija Ljubljana Fehérvár Alba Volán 19 HC Innsbruck

Map of all club locations for the 2007/08 season

After a non-Austrian club, HK Jesenice , had taken part in the league for the first time in the previous year, reports had already appeared in the spring of 2007 that other clubs from surrounding countries were interested in joining. Namely, HDD Olimpija Ljubljana, the second big club from Slovenia, which had a long-standing rivalry with HK Jesenice, as well as the multiple Hungarian champion Alba Volán Székesfehérvár . Later, with the KHL Medveščak Zagreb, there was also a Croatian club. In the weeks after the end of the preseason there were extensive discussions, although initially no agreement could be found, although the clubs were generally positive about an expansion of the league. At the league meeting in April, Ljubljana was confirmed as the ninth team, while Alba Volán was given four weeks to submit the necessary documents to join. The club complied and the Hungarians' participation was confirmed in mid-May.

Apart from that, there were also loose talks between the EC Red Bull Salzburg and the German Ice Hockey League about participation. The Salzburg team felt that the new points rule (see below) was hindering their squad structure and development and therefore wanted to make a change, whereby the farm team, which had played in the national league up to now , might have moved to the Bundesliga.

In the meantime it looked for a short time that HK Jesenice would have to end its EBEL participation after only one year for financial reasons, but the fears proved to be unfounded.

	team	Preseason	Trainer
	EC Red Bull Salzburg	master	Pierre Pagé
	EC VSV	Runner-up	Greg Holst
	EHC Liwest Linz	Semi-final out	Jim bonuses
	Vienna Capitals	Semi-final out	Kevin Gaudet
	HK Jesenice	Rank 5	Kim Collins (until the end of the EBEL season) Douglas Bradley (Slovenian league)
	HC Innsbruck	Rank 6	Pat Cortina (until January 5, 2008) Ron Kennedy (from January 6, 2008)
	EC KAC	Rank 7	Emanuel Viveiros
	EC Graz 99ers	Rank 8	Larry Sacharuk (until December 5, 2007) Tom Pokel (from December 11, 2007)
	HDD Olimpija Ljubljana	new to the league	Ildar Rahmatuljin (until November 12, 2007) Mike Posma (from November 13, 2007)
	Alba Volán Székesfehérvár	new to the league	Jan Jasko (until November 22, 2007) Lajos Énekes (interim) Ted Sator (from December 6, 2007)

mode

The Erste Bank ice hockey league ("Bundesliga") began on September 20, 2007. The basic round consisted of a double round-trip round (36 games), after which the field of participants was split up. The best six clubs played in a simple round-trip round (10 games) for home rights for the quarter-finals, with the best four teams in the regular season receiving 4, 3, 2 or one bonus point. The remaining four teams played in a round of hope in the form of a simple round-trip round (6 games) for the remaining two playoff places, with the best two teams in the regular season (ranks 7 and 8) receiving 2 or one bonus point.

The subsequent quarter-final series were in the mode best-of-five held, semifinals and finals than seven best-of- .

Legionnaires' regulation: points system

A point of contention was the regulation of how many legionnaires were allowed to be used by the teams. In the interests of equality for EU citizens, some associations, u. a. the Vienna Capitals unlimited, to be able to use EU foreigners. On the other hand, the Austrian Ice Hockey Association (ÖEHV) tried to enforce a regulation that was as restrictive as possible in order to encourage domestic players. The clubs, on the other hand, criticized the fact that Austrian players earned much higher salaries than comparable legionnaires due to the relatively small player market.

The compromise was the introduction of a points system, which was first presented on May 15, 2007. As a result, each player was rated on a scale of 1 to 4 points based on their skill level, half points (e.g. 2.5) were also possible. The evaluation was carried out by the other clubs in the league, the highest and lowest values ​​being deleted and the mean value being formed from the remaining values. Foreign players automatically received 4, U-22 players (born 1986 and later) automatically received one point. Furthermore, U-23 players were allowed to receive a maximum of 1.5 points and U-24 players a maximum of 2 points. A total of 65 points were allowed on the 22-man game report this season. If a player was banned, this maximum was reduced by his point value.

Over the summer, however, the rumored solution led to conflicts between the EBEL and the ÖEHV, which only wanted to accept the details of the regulation in a modified version. This particularly concerned the provisions for younger players up to the age group U24, as the ÖEHV did not consider them to be sufficiently promoted. A first compromise was initially reached in that a minimum of five U24 players had to be on the match report and that the maximum number of points should be gradually reduced over the following seasons, but in particular the Capitals and EC Red Bull Salzburg opposed it Protest and threatened to leave the league. The ultimate solution turned the original idea on its head and stipulated that a maximum of 17 players over the age of 24 could be on the game report.

Initially, it was still considered to publish the point values ​​awarded, but this did not happen.

Basic round

Main round

At the beginning of the regular season, the teams were still very close together. After ten laps, there were only six points between first and ninth place. The stragglers in the table were EC KAC, who had to play their first season games away due to the non-availability of the exhibition hall due to the autumn fair and could only celebrate their first victory in the sixth round, and league newcomer Alba Volán Székesfehérvár. The latter suffered a number of defeats and initially had big problems with the significantly higher pace in the Austrian league. Only in the sixteenth round did the first success against the EC VSV come on their own ice. By then, however, they were far behind in the table.

At the top the Vienna Capitals and HK Jesenice fought for first place. The Slovenians were able to achieve an impressive series of twelve wins in a row, which also included three consecutive games without conceding goals. The EHC Linz established itself as the first pursuer, where surprisingly Jürgen Penker replaced Patrick Machreich as the first goalkeeper .

The EC KAC still had problems, where they could not find consistency until mid-November and had to lose games again and again. Soon after the start of the season it was foreseeable that Andrew Verner could no longer build on his previous performances in goal. After a good start at HC Innsbruck, a slump followed in November that the team went through year after year. The EC VSV also had to accept a mixed start to the season, but found their form halfway through the basic round and was able to slowly work their way up to ninth place in the table after a temporary stay. It was a similar experience for EC Red Bull Salzburg, which, however, had greater reserves at its disposal due to the much better squad depth. Alba Volán was able to win a game again and again, but in the end the team had to be satisfied with five wins in 36 games.

Towards the end of the basic round, the EHC Linz slowly worked their way up the table and finally landed on first place, tied with the Capitals. Salzburg also found their shape and took third place. Jesenice, EC KAC and EC VSV were also able to improve their form and in the end were only slightly behind the leading trio. On the other hand, the HC Innsbruck, which was passed back through a long series of defeats in the course of the last games in the table and was finally no longer able to stay in the top six.

While the Graz 99ers also weakened at the end of the already mixed season, HDD Olimpija Ljubljana caught up with a winning streak that went almost unnoticed due to the table position and was finally able to overtake the Grazers , supported by an excellent Alex Westlund in goal.

Table after the main round

space	team	SP	S.	N	SNV	NNV	T	GT	TVH	Points
1	EHC Linz	36	21st	9	1	5	111	91	+20	49
2	Vienna Capitals	36	20th	9	2	5	122	86	+36	49
3	EC Red Bull Salzburg	36	16	10	4th	6th	121	108	+13	46
4th	HK Jesenice	36	13	11	8th	4th	100	94	+6	46
5	EC KAC	36	15th	12	6th	3	119	102	+17	45
6th	EC VSV	36	18th	18th	4th	6th	109	109	± 0	42
7th	HC Innsbruck	36	12	14th	7th	3	124	116	+8	41
8th	HDD Olimpija Ljubljana	36	12	16	5	3	108	107	+1	37
9	EC Graz 99ers	36	15th	21st	7th	5	99	132	−33	35
10	Alba Volán Székesfehérvár	36	5	27	0	4th	69	137	−68	14th

Placement and qualification round

The placement round was used by most of the teams for regeneration and was also largely judged as "superfluous" by the fans. Only the EC KAC, which won eight of its ten games and thus represented the most successful team, and the Vienna Capitals with seven wins stood out. Conversely, HK Jesenice fell into a low towards the end of the basic round, which has now continued. Only two games could be won. The EC VSV acted similarly unsuccessfully. However, as it turned out, the results were not very informative for the following playoffs.

In the qualifying group the HDD Olimpija Ljubljana continued its winning run and only lost one of six games after extra time. HC Innsbruck also stabilized and secured second playoff place. The Graz 99ers and Alba Volán were largely without a chance.

Placement round table

space	team	SP	S.	N	SNV	NNV	T	GT	TVH	Points	bonus
1	Vienna Capitals	10	7th	2	0	1	40	23	+17	18th	3
2	EC KAC	10	7th	2	1	0	45	30th	+15	16	0
3	EHC Linz	10	4th	5	1	0	36	35	+1	14th	4th
4th	EC Red Bull Salzburg	10	5	4th	0	1	37	33	+4	13	2
5	EC VSV	10	2	6th	1	1	29	43	−14	7th	0
6th	HK Jesenice	10	1	7th	1	1	24	47	−23	6th	1

Qualifying round table

space	team	SP	S.	N	SNV	NNV	T	GT	TVH	Points	bonus
1	HDD Olimpija Ljubljana	6th	5	0	0	1	25th	10	+15	12	1
2	HC Innsbruck	6th	2	2	2	0	19th	18th	+1	10	2
3	EC Graz 99ers	6th	1	3	0	2	9	19th	−10	4th	0
4th	Alba Volán Székesfehérvár	6th	1	4th	1	0	9	15th	−6	4th	0

Basic run statistics

Top scorer

	player	team	GP	G	A.	PTS	PIM	+/-	PPG	PPA	SHG	SHA	GWG
	Aaron Fox	Capitals	45	31	35	66	36	+13	14th	17th	2	0	6th
	Brad Purdie	Linz	46	16	37	53	68	+7	6th	16	0	1	0
	Warren Norris	KAC	46	23	26th	49	73	+24	9	7th	2	3	1
	Jeremy Rebek	KAC	46	14th	34	48	74	+21	5	20th	2	1	3
	Rob Shearer	Linz	46	20th	27	47	16	+2	6th	12	2	0	4th
	David Rodman	Capitals	45	18th	28	46	42	+12	7th	16	1	0	5
	Jean-Philippe Paré	innsbruck	41	13	33	46	32	+1	3	13	1	1	0
	Pat Leahy	Linz	44	20th	25th	45	44	+5	8th	8th	1	2	4th
	Greg Day	99ers	39	15th	30th	45	20th	−4	5	14th	1	1	3
	Marcel Rodman	Capitals	42	14th	31	45	36	+17	7th	12	0	2	2
	Roland Kaspitz	VSV	46	13	32	45	26th	+1	0	8th	1	0	5
	Jeff Tory	KAC	46	6th	39	45	24	+18	1	18th	0	2	2
	Andy Schneider	KAC	44	16	28	44	46	+3	3	9	0	2	1
	Tomaž Vnuk	Ljubljana	41	13	31	44	22nd	+15	4th	10	1	2	1
	Craig Darby	innsbruck	42	13	30th	43	30th	−3	6th	15th	0	3	2

Legend:
GP = games, G = goals, A = assists, PTS = scorer points, +/- = plus-minus value, PIM = penalty minutes, PPG = power play goals, PPA = power play assists, SHG = underpaid goals, SHA = underpaid assists, GWG = victory goals

goalkeeper

	player	team	GP	GPI	GS	MIP	SO-CALLED	SVS	GA	SVS%	ATM	SO	W.	L.	OTL
	Alex Westlund	Ljubljana	42	41	40	2465: 24	1478	1373	105	92.90	2.56	2	22nd	14th	4th
	Sébastien Charpentier	Capitals	28	27	27	1636: 10	838	777	61	92.72	2.24	5	19th	5	3
	Zoltán Hetényi	Alba Volán	25th	13	11	706: 21	406	374	32	92.12	2.72	0	2	8th	1
	Jürgen Penker	Linz	42	39	38	2318: 56	1167	1073	94	91.95	2.43	3	25th	11	3
	Mikko Strömberg	innsbruck	29	23	22nd	1401: 09	793	724	69	91.30	2.95	4th	14th	6th	2
	Gert Prohaska	VSV	41	39	39	2311: 44	1318	1202	116	91.20	3.01	0	19th	13	6th
	Seamus Kotyk	innsbruck	20th	20th	20th	1169: 13	664	604	60	90.96	3.08	0	9	10	1
	Hannes Enzenhofer	KAC	36	20th	20th	1158: 27	561	509	52	90.73	2.69	1	14th	3	2
	Robert Kristan	Jesenice	41	39	39	2224: 43	1173	1062	111	90.54	2.99	5	18th	14th	4th
	Andrew Verner	KAC	46	27	26th	1625: 01	774	698	76	90.18	2.81	2	15th	11	1
	Reinhard Divis	Salzburg	37	37	37	2206: 52	998	900	98	90.18	2.66	3	22nd	11	4th
	Claus Dalpiaz	99ers	36	28	27	1576: 34	901	812	89	90.12	3.39	0	13	11	2
	Bernhard Bock	99ers	40	12	10	690: 49	393	345	48	87.79	4.17	0	1	6th	4th
	Krisztián Budai	Alba Volán	42	32	31	1826: 58	943	825	118	87.49	3.88	1	5	23	3

Legend:
GP = games, GPI = actual stakes, GS = games started, MIP = game minutes, GA = goals conceded, GAA = average goal conceded every 60 minutes, SOG = shots on goal, SVS = shots saved, SVS% = catch rate, SO = shutouts, W = Wins, L = defeats, OTL = defeats after extra time or penalty shootout

Play-offs

Play-off tree

Quarter finals

Semifinals

final

1

Vienna Capitals

3

8th

HC Innsbruck

0

1

Vienna Capitals

0

4th

EC Red Bull Salzburg

4th

4th

EC Red Bull Salzburg

3

5

EC VSV

2

4th

EC Red Bull Salzburg

4th

7th

HDD Olimpija Ljubljana

2

3

Black Wings Linz

3

6th

HK Jesenice

2

3

Black Wings Linz

2

7th

HDD Olimpija Ljubljana

4th

2

EC KAC

0

7th

HDD Olimpija Ljubljana

3

Quarter-finals individual results

While the favorite teams prevailed in three encounters with the Vienna Capitals, Black Wings Linz and Red Bulls Salzburg, HDD Olimpija Ljubljana caused a surprise and took the EC KAC, which had clearly dominated the second round, 3-0 Wins from the competition.

Quarter-final series Vienna Capitals (1) - HC Innsbruck (8)

The series of the Capitals against HC Innsbruck was very one-sided in favor of the Capitals. Although the Viennese needed more than twenty minutes in the first game due to a compact Tyrolean defense to score their first goal, the Innsbruckers had little to counter the consistent attacks and could not beat goalkeeper Sébastien Charpentier once. In the second game, Innsbruck took the lead, but were unable to build up the necessary pressure and extend the lead, so that the Viennese quickly equalized and were able to turn the game to the final score of 1: 4. The third game was followed by an open exchange of blows, in which the guests from Innsbruck were even 3-2 in the front at the beginning of the final third. However, the Capitals equalized just before the end. After almost seven minutes in overtime, Marcel Rodman scored the winning goal and brought the Capitals to the semi-finals.

Quarter-final series EC KAC (2) - HDD Olimpija Ljubljana (7)

The series of the EC KAC against the HDD Olimpija Ljubljana was surprisingly clear. The Klagenfurt team, who had dominated the second round, were already 0-1 behind in the first game after one minute and five seconds, which, despite a score on goal of 19 to 8 shots in favor of the EC KAC, persisted after the first third. In the second part of the game, Ljubljana extended the lead to 2-0, despite 18 more shots on goal, thanks to Ljubljana goalkeeper Alex Westlund, who was in top form, and a concentrated defense , the EC KAC again missed out. It was only in the final third of the first goal was achieved in the form of a Penaltyschusses for a foul by Kevin Mitchell at Andy Schneider . When the Klagenfurters took Andrew Verner out of the goal just before the end , Ljubljana scored the 1: 3 with an empty net goal and unexpectedly won the first game, but deservedly. Problems arose off the ice, however, as Olimpija Ljubljana fans committed property damage, which even led to three temporary arrests.

The far better efficiency of the Laibacher continued in the second game. Alex Westlund did not concede, while Verner had to let three goals happen. In the end, an empty net goal again sealed the defeat of the EC KAC and the 2-0 lead of the Laibacher. It was only in the third match that the EC KAC managed to keep the game open, even though the Slovenian defense again acted very safely and left few chances. With Hannes Enzenhofer in the Klagenfurt goal, the game went into overtime with a score of 2: 2, where Kevin Mitchell shot Laibach into the semi-finals after two minutes and forty seconds.

For KAC goalie Andrew Verner, this meant the end of his time in Klagenfurt after more than four years and a total of 185 missions. He moved to the Newcastle Vipers in the Elite Ice Hockey League the following season .

Quarter-final series EHC Linz (3) - HK Jesenice (6)

The series between EHC Linz and HK Jesenice was much more balanced and only found its winner in the fifth game. HK Jesenice presented themselves in good shape after the unsuccessful second round and were able to keep the opening game open for long periods. Only in the 54th minute did Rob Shearer make a preliminary decision with the goal to make it 4-1. Jesenice, whose striker Tomo Hafner had a puck in the face in the first third, took the goalkeeper off the ice for a final offensive, but Linz scored an empty net goal, 55 seconds before the end with a goal from Jesenice to make it 5-2 followed.

Game number two brought the Slovenes equalizer in the series. Jesenice acted much more compactly and twice equalized a deficit before it could take the lead for the first time with a double strike in the middle section. This lasted until the end, although the game had to be interrupted in the meantime due to ice problems. Referee Haas had the rest of the middle section made up before the final third after the ice repair. The third game was followed by an open exchange of blows with alternating goalscoring results, in which Jesenice was even 3-2 in the lead, but defended it too little consistently. Linz was able to turn the game around with a double strike in the final section and play a narrow 4: 3 lead over time. This encounter also resulted in an unscheduled interruption because a broken Plexiglas pane had to be replaced.

Jesenice equalized again in the series. After an early goal by Philipp Lukas , the fourth encounter went without further goals for a long time before Conny Strömberg equalized after 45 minutes and even took the lead with three minutes to go. Linz took goalkeeper Jürgen Penker off the ice, but the Slovenes scored two empty net goals with a final score of 4: 1. In the play-off, Jesenice's regular goalkeeper was replaced by his backup Andrej Hočevar after a little over fourteen minutes and three goals . As a result, however, the game remained open and Jesenice caught up to 3: 4. In the end, however, Linz sealed the semi-finals with a hit in the empty goal.

Quarter-final series EC Red Bull Salzburg (4) - EC VSV (5)

Last year's finalists Villach and Salzburg also had an extremely close series. The first game was one of only two playoff encounters that were only decided in the penalty shootout. After a close game at high speed, Salzburg had the better end here. In the second game, the defending champion achieved an away win 4-1, and the series initially seemed decided early on. After almost two thirds, the match was only decided in the last few minutes. The EC VSV showed themselves to be very disciplined in the third game and achieved a shutout win in Salzburg with a consistent defensive performance and an excellent Gert Prohaska in goal .

The fourth game turned out to be a disaster for Salzburg. A 2-0 lead by the VSV after the first third turned into a 5-2 after forty minutes. In particular, the special teams from Villach proved to be efficient, with three hits in excess and one in number. After the 6: 2 in the final section, national goalkeeper Reinhard Divis left the Salzburg Gate, but his replacement Thomas Innerwinkler also had to let two goals happen. Villach achieved an 8-2 home win and equalized in the series. The play-off in Salzburg was a mirror image of the third game. It was 0-0 until the 54th minute, before Marco Pewal shot Salzburg in the lead. In the end, the EC VSV remained without a hit, and Salzburg rose to the semi-finals.

Individual results semi-finals

In the semi-finals, both the favorite Vienna Capitals and the Black Wings Linz ended . The Viennese could not win a single game against the eventual champions Salzburg and were even beaten 7-1 in the last game of the series. With the Laibacher coming into the finals, the Salzburg team were already certain as Austrian champions after the semi-finals .

Semi-final series Vienna Capitals (1) - Red Bull Salzburg (4)

The Viennese had already had major problems with the Salzburgers in the previous two years and were eliminated twice in the semi-finals. They could only win one game - but that on the green table, since Salzburg had used an unregistered player. This streak continued in the 2007/08 season, as the Capitals were again eliminated from the playoffs with four defeats against Salzburg. The first game in the series was marked by caution on both sides at the beginning. Only in the second third did the Salzburg team score their first goal. After the interim equalization, Salzburg pulled away to 4: 1, while Aaron Fox failed with a penalty penalty on the part of Vienna . In the end, Salzburg safely won 4-2. The Salzburg team won the second game 5: 2 even more clearly after they had already made it 4: 0 in the first third. Game three was the crux of the series. The Capitals managed to take a 3-0 lead, but then gave the game out of hand. The equalizer was followed by the winning goal by Thomas Koch just 42 seconds before the end , putting the series 3-0 for Salzburg. The Capitals could not add any more in the fourth game. Salzburg dominated the game at will and reached the final with an undisputed 7-1 victory.

This renewed failure of the Capitals was mainly criticized by the fans, as the team had consisted of many expensive players who had performed much better during the main round. The club management, on the other hand, spoke of a positive end to the season, although the goal of participating in the finals had not been achieved.

Semi-final series EHC Linz (3) - HDD Olimpija Ljubljana (7)

The second semi-final series between the surprise winner of the quarter-finals HDD Olimpija Ljubljana and the EHC Linz was dominated by the riots in Klagenfurt before it began, which is why the Linzers took additional security measures. For a short time there was even a league exclusion of the Slovenes in the room, but the other playoff games went without major problems. The series, which was much tighter than its counterpart, began with an emotionally charged game, but in the end the Linzers were able to confidently win it. From the second game on, the Slovenes presented themselves much more consistently on the defensive. On their own ice they managed to turn a 0-2 deficit and thus equalize in the series. Thanks to some successful counterattacks and a well-adjusted defense, Ljubljana then won away in Linz and turned the series with it. In the following home game, thanks to a strong power play, they achieved a close 3-2 victory and thus also the 3-1 lead in the series. The EHC Linz was able to win the fifth match and thus shorten it to 2: 3 in the series, but in the sixth game there was no goal, which meant that the season ended prematurely for the EHC Linz.

With the HDD Olimpija Ljubljana, a non-Austrian team made it into an EBEL final for the first time. This means that EC Red Bull Salzburg has also been confirmed as Austrian champions ahead of time.

Individual results final

The final series for the title of league champion (the title of Austrian champion had already been fixed by Salzburg) began with three away wins, which meant that Laibach led 2-1 in the series after three games. The first game, which was played at high speed, could only be decided in the penalty shoot-out, while game two, in which Salzburg was much more concentrated and efficient, ended with a 3-1 victory for the Bulls in regular time. The third game was again won by Laibach in overtime, although the victory went against the course of the game and despite the clear superiority of Salzburg. Also responsible were three durable hits that Reinhard Divis had to accept in the Salzburg goal. In the game, Laibacher Boštjan Groznik also received a match penalty and was subsequently suspended for three games for a brawl.

The fourth encounter between the two teams went down in league history. Laibach was able to win the game just 4: 3 in front of their own audience, making it 3: 1 in the series, which meant that only one championship victory was missing. With this level of knowledge and thus with the prospect of the “matchpuck”, the team set off for Salzburg two days later. Only a few hours before the game, Laibacher received the message that the third game had been verified 5-0 in favor of Salzburg. The reason was the league's complicated point system: due to Groznik's suspension, whose point value was 2.5, Laibach was only allowed to use players with a value of 62.5 instead of 65 points. The total of the players on the roster also showed only 62.5 points, but the Laibacher overlooked the fact that 1 point is added to the total for the two empty spaces in the game report. Thus, the Laibacher had given 64.5 points and the game had to be criminally verified.

In public, it was less the criminal verification itself that was criticized, but rather the point system itself, which was not transparent for the fans, as well as the way in which it was announced: it took the Austrian Ice Hockey Association almost three days to recognize and report the formal error of the Laibacher. The game on the same evening went 5-0 to Salzburg, not least thanks to the visibly shocked Laibach, which changed the series from 3-1 for Laibach to 3-2 for Salzburg within a few hours.

The last game in Ljubljana was marked by public protests against criminal verification and even had to be interrupted for premature ice cleaning. Salzburg won 3: 2 and thus secured the title of "EBEL Champion" after the Austrian championship title.

Playoff statistics

Top scorer

	player	team	GP	G	A.	PTS	+/-	PIM	PPG	PPA	SHG	SHA	GWG
	Todd Elik	Ljubljana	15th	3	15th	18th	−1	56	3	7th	0	1	1
	Thomas Koch	Salzburg	15th	6th	10	16	+5	4th	2	6th	0	0	4th
	Brendan Yarema	Ljubljana	15th	8th	7th	15th	−1	52	4th	4th	1	0	2
	Josh Green	Salzburg	15th	7th	8th	15th	+8	34	0	4th	1	0	1
	Dieter Kalt	Salzburg	15th	5	10	15th	+3	6th	3	7th	0	0	0
	Donald MacLean	Salzburg	14th	8th	5	13	+6	30th	2	1	0	0	1
	Ralph Intranuovo	Ljubljana	15th	8th	4th	12	−6	48	4th	3	1	1	2
	Kevin Mitchell	Ljubljana	15th	5	7th	12	0	26th	1	6th	0	1	2
	Matthias Trattnig	Salzburg	15th	5	6th	11	+5	18th	4th	1	0	1	0
	Marco Pewal	Salzburg	15th	5	5	10	+6	49	0	1	0	0	1

Legend:
GP = games, G = goals, A = assists, PTS = scorer points, +/- = plus-minus value, PIM = penalty minutes, PPG = power play goals, PPA = power play assists, SHG = underpaid goals, SHA = underpaid assists, GWG = victory goals

goalkeeper

	player	team	GP	GPI	GS	MIP	SO-CALLED	SVS	GA	SVS%	ATM	SO	W.	L.	OTL
	Alex Westlund	Ljubljana	14th	12	12	725: 48	433	410	23	94.69	1.90	2	9	3	0
	Gert Prohaska	VSV	5	5	5	302: 32	180	168	12	93.33	2.38	1	2	2	1
	Jürgen Penker	Linz	11	11	11	653: 41	350	322	28	92.00	2.57	0	5	6th	0
	Reinhard Divis	Salzburg	14th	14th	14th	837: 22	387	355	32	91.73	2.29	2	10	2	2
	Seamus Kotyk	innsbruck	2	2	2	126: 47	77	70	7th	90.91	3.31	0	0	1	1
	Andrew Verner	KAC	3	2	2	115: 49	53	48	5	90.57	2.59	0	0	2	0
	Robert Kristan	Jesenice	5	5	5	252: 59	137	123	14th	89.78	3.32	0	2	2	0
	Hannes Enzenhofer	KAC	3	1	1	62:40	28	25th	3	89.29	2.87	0	0	0	1
	Mikko Strömberg	innsbruck	1	1	1	60:00	35	31	4th	88.57	4.00	0	0	1	0
	Sébastien Charpentier	VIC	7th	7th	7th	424: 48	202	178	24	88.12	3.39	1	3	4th	0

Legend:
GP = games, GPI = actual stakes, GS = games started, MIP = game minutes, GA = goals conceded, GAA = average goal conceded every 60 minutes, SOG = shots on goal, SVS = shots saved, SVS% = catch rate, SO = shutouts, W = Wins, L = defeats, OTL = defeats after extra time or penalty shootout

Championship final result

1. EC Red Bull Salzburg
2. HDD Olimpija Ljubljana
3. EHC Linz
4. Vienna Capitals
5. EC VSV
6. HK Jesenice
7. EC KAC
8. HC Innsbruck
9. EC Graz 99ers
10. Alba Volán Székesfehérvár

Squad of the Austrian champions

Austrian champion EC Red Bull Salzburg

Goalkeepers: Reinhard Divis , Daniel Henriksson , Thomas Höneckl , Thomas Innerwinkler Defenders: Greger Artursson , Brad Fast , Lukas Friedl , Richard Jackman , Jakob Lainer , Wilhelm Lanz , Victor Lindgren , Robert Lukas , Doug Lynch , Andreas Reisinger , Rémi Royer , Martin Ulmer , Martin Ulrich Attackers: Frank Banham , Martin Grabher-Meier , Josh Green , Patrick Harand , Craig Johnson , Dieter Kalt , Thomas Koch , Gerald Lederer , Donald MacLean , Martin Mairitsch , Marco Pewal , Philipp Pinter , Matthias Schwab , Matthias Trattnig , Daniel Welser Coach team: Pierre Pagé

Special incidents and records

• Most of the goals of the season fell on January 24, 2008 in the game of HK Jesenice against the KAC. The match ended after 16 goals with 9: 7.
• The game with the most penalty minutes took place on November 20, 2007. In the match between EC Red Bull Salzburg and HDD Olimpija Ljubljana, a total of 147 penalty minutes (62 against Salzburg, 85 against Ljubljana) were awarded, including two match and three match penalties.
• During the regular season , two goalkeepers managed a shutout streak over three consecutive games. Robert Kristan from HK Jesenice stayed clean in rounds 15 to 17 and from October 30 to November 4, 2007 and kept 81 shots. Mikko Strömberg from HC Innsbruck did the same in rounds 18 to 20 and from November 9 to 13, 2007, defusing 89 shots. Taking into account the seasons in the matches before and after, Strömberg stayed 250: 18 minutes without conceding a goal and thus holds the EBEL record to date (as of January 2019).
• At the Vienna Capitals, the injury-related end of the season of Jean-François Labbé in the sixth game meant that a number of substitutes had to be signed in part only at short notice. In the end, six goalkeepers came in with Labbé, Sébastien Charpentier , Kelly Guard , Günther Hell , Florian Weißkircher and Walter Bartholomäus , with the young Andreas Schneider also acting as a backup in one game.

spectator

After a club had an average of more than 4,000 spectators per home game in the 2006/07 season for the first time, three teams succeeded in the 2007/08 season, which proved the unbroken boom of ice hockey in Austria. A total of 782,761 spectators attended the games of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga, narrowly missing the 800,000 mark. This may also have had something to do with the intermediate round, which is not very popular with the fans. Nevertheless, an overall increase in viewers of over 70,000 people compared to the previous season was recorded, which corresponds to an increase of around ten percent.

		At home		Away		total
rank	team	Games	average	Games	average	Games	spectator	average
1	EC KAC	25th	4,248	24	3,140	49	181,559	3,705
2	Vienna Capitals	27	4,046	26th	3,228	53	193.160	3,645
3	EC VSV	25th	4,020	26th	3,004	51	178,593	3,502
4th	HDD Olimpija Ljubljana	28	3.139	29	3,000	57	174.910	3,069
5	HK Jesenice	25th	2,860	26th	3,219	51	155.200	3,043
6th	EHC Linz	29	2,616	28	3,313	57	168,600	2,958
7th	EC Red Bull Salzburg	31	2,463	30th	3,365	61	177,300	2,907
8th	HC Innsbruck	22nd	2,802	23	2,923	45	128,865	2,864
9	EC Graz 99ers	21st	2,098	21st	2,912	42	105,200	2,505
10	Alba Volán Székesfehérvár	21st	2,359	21st	2,504	42	102.135	2,432

Web links

• Official homepage of the Erste Bank ice hockey league

Individual evidence

1. ↑ EBEL soon with ten clubs , report on hockeyfans.at from March 10, 2007
2. ↑ Hungary's champions also speculate with EBEL entry , report on hockeyfans.at from March 15, 2007
3. ↑ Tug of war for Ljubljana joining the EBEL , report on hockeyfans.at of March 13, 2007
4. ↑ Olimpija Ljubljana fix in the EBEL, is Albá Volan coming too? , Report on hockeyfans.at from April 15, 2007
5. ↑ ^{a b c} EBEL New - Volán there, points system, new mode , report on hockeyfans.at from May 15, 2007
6. ↑ DEL confirms talks with Red Bulls , report on hockeyfans.at dated May 7, 2007
7. ↑ Is Jesenice running out of air? , Report on hockeyfans.at from May 24, 2007
8. ↑ Kim Collins leaves Jesenice , report on hockeyfans.at from February 25, 2008
9. ↑ Douglas Bradley new Jesenice coach , report on hockeyfans.at from February 28, 2008
10. ↑ Haue on leave Pat Cortina , report on hockeyfans.at from January 5, 2008
11. ^ Haie confirm - Ron Kennedy new trainer , report on hockeyfans.at from January 6, 2008
12. ↑ 99ers separate from trainer Sacharuk , report on hockeyfans.at from December 5, 2007
13. ↑ Tom Pokel new 99ers trainer , report on hockeyfans.at from December 11, 2007
14. ↑ Laibach before newcomers duel without a trainer , report on hockeyfans.at from November 12, 2007
15. ↑ Laibach brings Posma as trainer , report on hockeyfans.at from November 13, 2007
16. ↑ Alba Volán throws trainer out before master duel, report on hockeyfans.at from November 22, 2007
17. ↑ Alba Volán finds new coach before VSV duel , report on hockeyfans.at from December 6, 2007
18. ^ ÖEHV President Kalt comments on the Legionnaires ' discussion, report on hockeyfans.at of March 30, 2007
19. ↑ EBEL explains the point rule, report on hockeyfans.at from September 13, 2007
20. ↑ ÖEHV does not accept the point system , report on hockeyfans.at from May 17, 2007
21. ↑ The battle of words between ÖEHV and EBEL , report on hockeyfans.at from May 29, 2007
22. ↑ ÖEHV gives his Sanctus - less points, more junior , report on hockeyfans.at of 29 May 2007
23. ↑ The dispute over the point rule continues , report on hockeyfans.at from June 1, 2007
24. ^ All against the ÖEHV - EBEL on course for confrontation , report on hockeyfans.at from June 20, 2007
25. ↑ Next change - the U-rule falls , report on hockeyfans.at from August 29, 2007
26. ↑ It's fixed, points will be published , report on hockeyfans.at dated August 30, 2007
27. ↑ Caps in the intermediate sprint to victory , report on hockeyfans.at from February 14, 2008
28. ↑ HCI after Caps victory before the end , report on hockeyfans.at from February 17, 2008
29. ↑ Capitals fought their way to the semi-finals , report on hockeyfans.at from February 19, 2008
30. ↑ Laibach shocks the KAC , report on hockeyfans.at from February 14, 2008
31. ↑ Laibach fans riot in Klagenfurt , report on hockeyfans.at from February 15, 2008
32. ↑ Laibach again puts KAC in its place , report on hockeyfans.at from February 17, 2008
33. ↑ Westlund throws out the KAC , report on hockeyfans.at from February 19, 2008
34. ↑ Black Wings get their first victory over Jesenice , report on hockeyfans.at from February 14, 2008
35. ↑ Jesenice equalizes against Linz , report on hockeyfans.at from February 17, 2008
36. ↑ Black Wings win Thriller against Jesenice , report on hockeyfans.at from February 19, 2008
37. ↑ Jesenice forces playoff, report on hockeyfans.at from February 21, 2008
38. ↑ Black Wings wrestle Jesenice down , report on hockeyfans.at from February 24, 2008
39. ↑ Salzburg defeats VSV in game 1 , report on hockeyfans.at from February 14, 2008
40. ↑ Master Salzburg also wins in Villach , report on hockeyfans.at from February 17th, 2008
41. ^ VSV strikes back in Salzburg , report on hockeyfans.at from February 19, 2008
42. ↑ VSV shoots Salzburg off the ice , report on hockeyfans.at from February 21, 2008
43. ^ Salzburg nervous against VSV , report on hockeyfans.at from February 24, 2008
44. ↑ Salzburg surprises the Capitals , report on hockeyfans.at from February 26, 2008
45. ↑ Bulls overrun caps again , report on hockeyfans.at from February 28, 2008
46. ↑ Salzburg is shooting game in Vienna , report on hockeyfans.at from March 2, 2008
47. ↑ Salzburg bombs its way into the final , report on hockeyfans.at from March 4, 2008
48. ↑ Caps draw positive season balance , report on hockeyfans.at from March 5, 2008
49. ↑ Laibach's fear of its own fans , report on hockeyfans.at from February 26, 2008
50. ↑ Black Wings keep Laibach in check , report on hockeyfans.at from February 26, 2008
51. ↑ Laibach turns the game around , report on hockeyfans.at from February 28, 2008
52. ↑ Laibach counters Black Wings Linz , report on hockeyfans.at from March 2nd, 2008
53. ^ Laibach before the final , report on hockeyfans.at from March 4, 2008
54. ↑ Black Wings enforce game 6 , report on hockeyfans.at from March 6, 2008
55. ↑ Laibach moves into the final , report on hockeyfans.at from March 9, 2008
56. ↑ Laibach also shocks Salzburg , report on hockeyfans.at from March 13, 2008
57. ^ Salzburg cracks Laibach fortress , report on hockeyfans.at from March 16, 2008
58. ↑ Laibachs Goon Groznik blocked , report on hockeyfans.at from March 22, 2008
59. ↑ Laibach with one hand on the championship cup , report on hockeyfans.at from March 20, 2008
60. ↑ Salzburg equalizes at the green table , report on hockeyfans.at from March 23, 2008
61. ↑ Salzburg seizes the opportunity , report on hockeyfans.at from March 23, 2008
62. ↑ Salzburg wins EBEL title again , report on hockeyfans.at from March 25, 2008