Story Summary
Mike Stewart has challenged the Vienna Capitals to produce more secondary scoring after Friday’s 3-2 loss away to FTC-Telekom in Budapest. Jakob Lilja gave Vienna an early lead in the third minute, but the Capitals conceded two power-play goals before Gergely Toth extended the home side’s advantage in the final period. Linden Vey scored with 54 seconds remaining during six-on-five play, but Vienna could not find an equaliser.
Stewart said his side began with confidence and created strong chances, but felt they did not turn enough of their attacking work into goals. He was also direct about a penalty kill that conceded to Carter Savoie and Aku Kestila. With HC Falkensteiner Pustertal due in Vienna on Sunday, Stewart said the Capitals must improve.
Key Facts
- Mike Stewart, head coach of the Vienna Capitals, said the team needs more secondary scoring after the defeat in Budapest.
- The Capitals lost 3-2 to FTC-Telekom after taking an early lead through Jakob Lilja in the third minute.
- Carter Savoie scored on the power play in the 22nd minute and Aku Kestila added another power-play goal in the 41st minute.
- Gergely Toth made it 3-1 in the 52nd minute before Linden Vey scored Vienna’s late six-on-five goal with 54 seconds left.
- The Capitals host HC Falkensteiner Pustertal on Sunday, with face-off scheduled for 16:00 at the neuro.io arena.
IHM Discussion
Stewart’s assessment centred on two connected shortcomings: finishing beyond the leading contributors and special-teams execution. Vienna generated offensive-zone time and chances, in his view, but did not produce the goals needed to build on Lilja’s early opener. At the other end, two early-period power-play concessions left the Capitals chasing the game.
The late goal from Vey showed Vienna could create pressure with the extra attacker, but Stewart’s point was broader than one six-on-five situation. He wants scoring spread more effectively through the line-up rather than relying on a limited group to convert the chances the team creates.
Why It Matters
The result leaves the Capitals with a clear immediate focus before their next ICEHL fixture. Better output from across the forward group would give Vienna greater reward for sustained offensive-zone possession, while a stronger penalty kill would reduce the damage when opponents receive power-play opportunities.
IHM Tactical Outlook
The tactical lesson is in the sequence of the game. Vienna scored early and, according to Stewart, had opportunities to add to its lead, but the match shifted through concessions in shorthanded situations at the beginning of the second and third periods. The Capitals’ response against Pustertal will need to combine cleaner penalty-killing detail with more decisive finishing during their five-on-five attacking spells.
Mini Q&A
What did Mike Stewart say Vienna Capitals need?
Stewart said the Capitals need more secondary scoring.
Who scored for Vienna Capitals against FTC-Telekom?
Jakob Lilja scored in the third minute and Linden Vey scored with 54 seconds remaining.
When is Vienna Capitals’ next game?
The Capitals host HC Falkensteiner Pustertal on Sunday at 16:00.
Coach Mark Comment
A team can survive a missed chance or a lost special-teams battle, but it becomes difficult when both occur in the same match. Stewart’s message identifies the practical coaching priority: turn territorial pressure into goals before penalty-kill lapses force the side into a chasing role.
What Comes Next
Vienna Capitals host HC Falkensteiner Pustertal on Sunday at 16:00 in the neuro.io arena. Stewart has stated that his side must deliver a better performance in that fixture.
IHM Final View
Stewart did not disguise the Capitals’ shortcomings after the 3-2 defeat. Vienna showed it could create chances and generate late pressure, but Sunday provides the immediate test of whether it can find broader scoring support and a more reliable penalty kill.