European Trophy Starts Off against Vienna Capitals!

HC Slovan has played in the competition since 2011. As the hosts of last year’s finals tournament, we were guaranteed qualification from the South division. But in the Red Bulls Salute quarter-final we lost 1:4 to Swedish side Färjestad, who had also qualified automatically as one of the tournament organizers.

In the Red Bulls Salute quarter-final held in Vienna, the Capitals beat Eisbären Berlin 3:1, but were kept out of the final by fellow Swedes Lulea Capitals, losing 0:2. After then defeating Färjestad, the Swedish team went on to win the tournament. Last season the Vienna Capitals had a successful campaign in the international EBEL league. The Austrian team won the regular season and fought their way to the playoff final, where they were soundly beaten 4:0 in games by Klagenfurt.

Friday’s matchup (18.00) sees HC SLOVAN facing the Capitals for the fourth time. Last year we won 2:1 at home after penalty shots, Michal Vondrka deciding that game in our favour. The return leg in Vienna was also even, with the home team just scraping a victory in overtime. Our biggest victory against our Viennese opponents took place in August 2011, when we won convincingly 6:1 on home ice.

Lead by Swedish coach Tommy Samuelsson, the team profited most last season from the productivity of Francois Fortier. The 34-year –old Canadian notched up 58 points in 66 games – 26 goals and 32 assists. Another key player for the Capitals is Benoit Gratton, who managed the same number of points in 44 games. Another pillar of strength for the Canadians is goaltender Matt Zaba, who played one game in the NHL for the New York Rangers in 2009/2010. The team from the Austrian metropolis is made up of a number of Austrian internationals, with experience in the NHL and AHL, which makes them a tough and sturdy hockey team, with plenty of physical contact.

Come to Slovan’s opening game in the prestigious European Trophy! Buy tickets for € 5 each HERE. Faceoff is scheduled for 18.00. Plenty of fans are expected to come from Vienna, therefore sectors B11 and B12 are set aside for fans of UPC Vienna Capitals. We kindly ask HC Slovan fans not to buy tickets for those sectors, and to keep away from those sectors during the game.

Season ticket holders (“HC SLOVAN – KHL 2013/2014”) are entitled to go to all three European Trophy games played in Bratislava.

ISIC, ITIC and EURO 26 card holders have a 10% discount on tickets for games played in Bratislava. Please present your card at the ticket office when buying tickets.

Entry to remaining free spaces in Sector I (disabled): € 3 (valid for person in wheelchair + one person assisting; pre-sale only at the sales point in the shopping center on Radlinskeho 27, or from the SLOVNAFT Arena ticket office on the day of the game).