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Matthias Shines In Debut, Kuba Solid In Win

Florida Panthers center Shawn Matthias made a memorable debut for EHC LIWEST Black Wings Linz in Friday action from Austria’s EBEL. Unfortunately, his sparkling one goal and one assist performance was not enough as SAPA Fehervar AV19 held on for a 3-2 win. Matthias finished the game with a plus one rating and centered Gregor Baumgartner and Brett Engelhardt on Black Wings Linz’ second line.

Alba Volan jumped out to a 2-0 lead on visiting Linz early in the first period. Istvan Sofron scored his 15th goal of the season at the 2:23 mark and Arpad Mihaly extended the lead just over four minutes later. Black Wings would get a power play late in the frame and Matthias lit the lamp with assists going to Baumgartner and Martin Grabher-Meier.

Sofron scored again at 8:54 of the third period to give Alba Volan another two goal advantage. With time running out, Matthias fed Engelhardt for his 6th of the season at 18:37 to pull Linz within striking distance. Gregor Baumgartner picked up his second helper of the night on the even strength marker. Linz pulled goaltender David LeNeveu but failed to come up with the equalizer.

Filip Kuba set up a goal and finished with a plus one rating in Vitkovice Steel’s 4-3 win on home ice over Kladno in Friday action from the Czech Extraliga. Kuba assisted on a second period goal by Petr Strapac and was called for a minor penalty in the third period which resulted in a Jaromir Jagr goal. Kuba has posted four assists in ten games for Vitkovice this season.

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