44 - OLIMPIJA 7-5 VIENNA
HIGHLIGHTS
Jan Drozg getting his second hat-trick in 3 games. He looks so electric right now - as we said before, the rust is truly off and the lean, mean, shiny machine is out and about (see above).
Petan and Mahkovec also combined for a gorgeous goal. Mahkovec took a rim pass behind the net and first-time sent a backhand no-look pass into the slot for the oncoming Petan to also one-time it in. Exquisite play from those two, with Petan our recent Olympian.
LOWLIGHTS
Conceding 5 and letting Vienna back into the game. It's Gretzky hockey, it's good for the neutrals and the new fans at their first OLL game (many Erasmus students and my Dad included!). I can't say I love it, as it seems a bit sloppy, but you can't really argue with a win. If we win a playoff series with high-scoring games I won't be complaining!
MAIN TAKEAWAY
Vienna have been sneaky-good since their coaching change, so we shouldn't be overly disappointed with letting them back into the game. Like CC said in the locker room, after some time off there was always going to be a bit of rustiness, so overall let's just be happy we got the W and focus on the hot offense instead of the leaky defence.
45 - KLAGENFURT 2 - 0 OLIMPIJA
The KAC commentator every time the puck went anywhere near the net:
HIGHLIGHTS
Playing KAC very close in their barn was pleasing to see with the playoffs just around the corner. We definitely showed some of that 'hard to play against' style that CC mentioned in his interview with me (https://youtu.be/L73Yy1mNbgA?si=rLs2UUkXl6cJoYLq if you haven't treated yourself yet).
LOWLIGHTS
The refereeing in the last 6 minutes of the game was atrocious. How KAC got that 5 on 3 PP I do not know, when it seemed a fight had occurred that both sides should be penalised for equally. That was the difference, a PPG at 5 on 3 and an ENG after.
Also, after the game, KAC's commentators glazing their player for 'winning' a fight against Halbert was another lowlight. The ICE League's fights are such an embarrassment. It's either the refs don't let them go, or there isn't a gentleman's agreement and one guy just starts swinging before the other has acknowledged to start the fight. Super weak behaviour - that's what the KAC guy did. How's Halbert meant to 'win' when he didn't even know the fight was happening for a decent chunk of it? A certain song about schweine comes to mind.
MAIN TAKEAWAY
We have to hope that this is the last time the refs make the game about them and really take over. Just like teachers, they should be 'guides on the side', not 'stars on the stage'. Leave that to the players. It's a real shame, because I would have loved to see a denouement to this game without crazy calls ruining it. Oh, also, CC got suspended for a game and fined for something nobody saw, but which the league said was clear as day on camera?! Just more BS (thanks to ZG and ED for highlighting this).
46 - LINZ 1 - 2 OLIMPIJA (OT)
Linz isn't small, it's just far away...
HIGHLIGHTS
The Olimpija-Argonauts once again looked to TJ-Jason for their salvation. TJ was the OT hero yet again. We have 4 wins in OT this season (not including penalties) and TJ has scored 3/4 of the OT winners. Mahkovec has the other. What a clutch/big moment player! Overall, we have 6 OT wins and losses, not including penalty shootouts, so TJ has won us half of those this season. Now, he gets a lot of opportunities in OT, but it's still incredibly impressive stuff from an attacking player, let alone from a defenseman!
LOWLIGHTS
The long journey to Linz always shows up in our performances and this time was no exception. Would it really be that bad to go early and stay overnight for a well-rested performance? This time, it was probably not possible, given the KAC game on Friday. Still, it's something to consider if we're looking for every edge to win games.
MAIN TAKEAWAY
I think this was a fair result for both sides. Linz probably deserved a point and we probably deserved a win. Given the circumstances, with 3 games in 6 days and a long journey to this away game, it's understandable that we weren't on top form and struggled to beat them in regulation. Getting the win despite all that was pleasing. Linz kept things tight, the refs did their job far better than those in the previous game, so a fair, competitive result was achieved. Imagine that!
OLL SIGN DUSTIN TOKARSKI
Fresh off the press this afternoon! A very recognisable name, wow. He's a 36yo Canadian goalie who has been in and around the AHL/NHL for 17 years. You don't get a sentence like that written about you without being trusted by top organisations over and over. Now, admittedly, his five games in Europe this season have been awful, with a 5.48 goals allowed average. Yet, his team in the DEL, Lowen Frankfurt, are comfortably the 2nd-worst team in the league, so I think we need to give him some grace there. Let's hope he's much more Horak than Robin Rahm (a Swedish goalie who came in to replace Horak a couple of seasons ago and was very disappointing). He's certainly got a far better pedigree and track record than Rahm ever did.
ED reminded me to say that yes, I think this does relegate Kolin back into a backup role. Tokarski will surely start as soon as he's ready.
This is exciting, but also confirms that Horak is properly hurt, which is really sad. The season we've had deserved a chance for Horak to ball out in the playoffs. Just like Canada 'deserving' to win the Olympic gold, sometimes you don't get what you deserve. On that happy note, let's use the HCB game tomorrow as a good warm-up for the incoming playoffs.
P.S. Sorry for those of you who saw a yucky earlier draft, Blogger updated on my end but then lost all progress somehow. Thankfully, I anxiously copy and paste my articles into other documents, so it was rectified quickly!
P.P.S. Here's Google Translate's version of the official press release:
Ljubljana, February 24, 2026
The Olimpija Ljubljana hockey club has strengthened its goalkeeping position for the ICE League playoffs. Due to an injury to first goalie Lukaš Horak, experienced Canadian goalie Dustin Tokarski has joined the team.
Dustin Tokarski has had a rich career in the strongest North American leagues. In 2008, after winning the world junior championship with the Canadian national team, he was selected in the 5th round of the NHL draft by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He trained in the AHL with the Norfolk Admirals, and made his first appearance in the strongest hockey league in the 2011/12 season. He played most of his career in the AHL, and in the NHL he played 86 games for the following teams: Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes. This season he was a member of the Löwen Frankfurt club, which plays in the elite German league DEL.
Anže Ulčar, director of the Croatian Hockey Federation (SA - why does it always say this lol): "After a good regular season, we don't want to leave anything to chance. An injury to the first goalkeeper is of course a big blow, and that's why we were looking for a goalkeeper who has experience playing at the highest levels and playing in important or elimination matches. Dustin is undoubtedly that."
Dustin Tokarski will join the Olimpija Ljubljana team in the coming days and with his experience will be an important reinforcement in a key part of the season.
Regarding fights in the league, it is a tough one as refs do step in. I think that is more of a league enforcement. I must say, Vienna vs Innsbruck there was an old school tilt center ice, huge roar from the crowd. And the following game with the Pioneers which was ok. As we know, fighting is slowly going because there is a ban for guys that engage in fights twice. Sad to see as it does have its place in the game when in the right way. The league seems to be taking strict measure now on players and fans losing their temper and showing emotion. Big fines and bans across a few clubs. All I will say is that fans also try to engage and throw signs up and verbally abuse players. The game will lose its characters and games will be sterile. Also, in the long run it could put guys off wanting to play in the league. I love the league, but let hockey be hockey .
ReplyDeleteAll the best, Mark at Euro Hockey Hub
Thanks Mark, I really appreciate your words of wisdom even without EHH on Insta anymore!! Hope your health situation has improved.
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