Euro Round-up: First goals and debuts to forget

Photo: Dean Woolley

Hockey action continues across Europe with many leagues able to play with reduced capacities or no fans at all, thanks to state help. Here's a look at how some familiar names have been getting on!

Sam Herr got his first goal for Innsbruck as ‘Die Haie’ beat ICE Hockey League leaders Salzburg on Friday night. It was his side’s first win in four games, although they went on to narrowly lose in Klagenfurt on Sunday.

After an impressive start to the season, Gleason Fournier’s Bolzano team picked up just a point in their two games over the weekend, losing at home to Graz in overtime and then on the road in Fehérvár – despite coming back from 3-0 down in the latter, the Foxes lost 5-4. Meanwhile, Villach, coached by Dan Ceman, have now gone three games without a win and have yet to win at home, they sit last after six rounds. Two of Sunday’s five games were postponed due to Coronavirus outbreaks among teams, and the Austrian government is financially backing teams to play the situation in the country appears to be getting worse. Capacity limits are already in operation.

Rasmus Bjerrum continued his excellent start in Esbjerg with a goal and an assist in their midweek win over Rodovre in Denmark. In the same league, it was a disappointing week for Mike Hammond didn't manage any points as his Odense team were beaten 7-4 and 8-2 respectively. Spectator numbers were cut again just over a week ago in Denmark, however the teams are able to play thanks to a government bailout.

Joey Martin assisted on both of Stavanger's goals in their 4-2 defeat to leaders Valerenga at the weekend. It was a disappointing week for the Oilers, who also let a two-goal lead slip at home to Lillehammer - they have won only one of four games so far.

In Hungary's cross-border league, Mark Matheson’s Gyergoi HK fired their coach midweek after three straight losses on the road. Kyle Just assisted on Újpest’s tying goal against them midweek, which was scored by another former EIHL player in Riley Stadel. The former Flyer then went on to get his first goal of the season for his new team in Sunday’s win against the Titánok. Csikszereda ran in ten goals against Dunaújvaros midweek with Mathieu Tousignant scoring two of them. On the other side of the ice, it was a baptism of fire for Davey Phillips although he did pick up an assist in the loss.

Evan Mosey’s first goal of the season for Gap was unable to stop them from suffering their first defeat of the new campaign on Friday night – the team however remain third overall; while Jordan Buesa’s debut for S.A.D. Majadahonda in Spain was abandoned after a spectator collapsed in the rink. Their next game is scheduled for 10pm on Saturday!

Brett Perlini and Mike Cazzola both scored and assist on a goal for each other in Val Pusteria’s first win of the new Alps League season, although their next game two nights later ended in defeat and no points for either player.