EHC Black Wings Linz took a 3-2 decision over the Graz 99ers, with the game settled in a shootout after 60 minutes and a scoreless overtime. Linz had to survive a late equalizer to get there, and the only conversion of the skills competition decided it.
Graz struck first through Nico Feldner at 7, assisted by Frank Hora, before Niklas Wurschl answered at 12 off a Brady Shaw feed for 1-1 after 20. Trenton Bliss, set up by Emil Romig, made it 2-1 at 24, and that held until Nick Swaney tied it at 60 to force overtime at 2-2.
The turning number is the third period: Linz carried a one-goal lead into it and gave it back on the final shift. Bliss was the man who produced the lead goal, Wurschl the one who steadied the opener, and the shootout — 1-0 Linz — was where the extra point came from.