Highlanders Crush Kitzbühel

The Neuberg Highlanders secured second place in the Damen Eishockey Bundesliga (DEBL) standings with an 8-0 victory against EC "Die Adler" Kitzbühel on Sunday.

The Highlanders scored their first goal at the eight-minute mark as Jennifer Pesendorfer received the puck at the red line, skated past Kitzbühel's defenders with speed, and maneuvered the puck through the goalie.  Sabrina Schlauer scored the Highlanders' second goal eight minutes later.  The Highlanders ended the first period with a 2-0 lead.

Penalties at the start of the second period could have cost the game for the Highlanders, but the Highlanders managed to kill off three consecutive penalties and a 5-on-3 disadvantage.  After four Highlanders' penalties, Schlauer struck again to advance the lead 3-0.  The Highlanders ended the period with yet another goal from Pesendorfer.

Photo Courtesy of neuberg-highlanders.at

In the third period, I skated down toward Kitzbühel's net and ripped a shot off the crossbar.  Recovering the rebound, I put the puck in the back of the net.  Nearly 30 seconds later, I scored my second goal of the game.  I won the faceoff at center ice and my team went down into Kitzbühel's defensive zone.  Chelsea Illchuk sailed the puck to me from the right corner, and I hit the puck into the net.  With a 6-0 advantage, Dayna Janzen added another tally to the scoreboard as Pesendorfer passed her the puck in front of the net and Janzen deked the goalie.  Pesendorfer earned another assist as she gave a pass to Schlauer in the final minute of play.  Schlauer scored the final goal for the Highlanders and earned her first hattrick of the season.

Four different Highlanders scored in the game (Schlauer 3, Pesendorfer 2, Davies 2, Janzen 1), and Highlanders' goaltender, Bianca Feeberger, earned her third straight shutout with Sunday's victory.  The Highlanders improved to an overall record of 8-1 and continued their winning streak to eight games.  Click here to view the DEBL standings.

The Highlanders travel to Klagenfurt on Saturday for their next game against DEC Dragons Klagenfurt. 

At the end of Sunday's match, the Highlanders celebrated their team manager's birthday.  Everyone sang "Happy Birthday" with sparklers in their hands and presented Margret Kraischek with a gift basket for her birthday!  Alles Gute zum Geburtstag Margret!  Danke für alles!

Photo Courtesy of neuberg-highlanders.at