The HCG had to let the boys go first.

Merciless boys defeat brave Val Gardena residents

On Thursday evening, HC Gherdëina was unable to improve its mixed record against the Rittner Buam: Teppo Kivelä's team lost the fifth duel in a row and has now been waiting for a derby victory in Pranives for over five years.

28 November 2024

From: leo

In ice hockey, shot statistics are a good indicator if you want to express the balance of power in a match. Those who challenge the opposing goalkeeper more often usually have the greater share of the game. What is not included in these statistics, however, is the quality of the shots, which ultimately decides the outcome of the game. In Pranives it became clear why this is the case: The Furies fired six more shots than their opponents that evening, but the reigning champions were never in danger of losing the game - because they created significantly better, more dangerous chances. The score was 4:2 at the end of the 60 minutes.

The fans had only just settled in at Pranives when Ethan Szypula almost managed an incredible goal: The league's top scorer tried a solo shot between his legs, but the crossbar prevented the visitors from taking an early lead. On the other side, Davide Schiavone came close to making it 1-0, but Ritten goalie Colin Furlong shone with a brilliant reflex save. The balance was broken shortly before the end of the third period when the Buam were able to play in the power play for the first time: Goalkeeper Paul Hofer's view was skilfully blocked, meaning Alan Lobis' precise wrist shot was unstoppable. Since the Kalterer moved to the Buam last year, he has scored in each of the four games against the HCG - an impressive record.

Colin Furlong showed a strong performance in goal for the boys.

In the second third, the teams continued to be on equal terms. The difference was how the teams dealt with the opposing pressure phases. While the boys closed off the spaces and only allowed shots from outside, the HCG repeatedly lost their alignment. In addition, the home team ran into counterattacks that the boys punished coldly. Like when Markus Spinell made it 3-0 or when Manuel Öhler made it 4-1, who had already scored the 2-0. Jordan Di Cicco's long-range shot to make it 1-3 only brought hope back for a short time.

Furlong holds on to victory

To the delight of the home fans, Brad McGowan & Co. never gave up in the final third despite the deficit. The Furies ran tirelessly, exerted great pressure in the power play, but were always defeated by Furlong. The Canadian showed against his former club why he is possibly the best goalie in the league. However, Furlong had to reach behind him once when Mike Windegger initiated a counterattack, Tobias Moroder passed it on to Leo Messner, who slotted it in.

Chad Pietroniro & Co. had to admit defeat. © BK Photo

HC Meran also had a tough evening, losing the basement duel against EC Bregenzerwald 1:3. Bitter: The Eagles conceded two goals shortly before the half-time whistle in both the first and second periods. These goals proved to be decisive in the game - even though Teruto Nakajima shortened the lead at the beginning of the final period.

Alps Hockey League:

HC Gherdëina – Rittner Buam 2:4
Goals: 0:1 Lobis (18.13), 0:2 Manuel Öhler (23.51), 0:3 Spinell (35.25), 1:3 Di Cicco (35.43), 1:4 Manuel Öhler (39.14), 2:4 Messner (54.28)
Audience: 348

HC Meran – EC Bregenzerwald 1:3
Goals: 0:1 Wohlmuth (19.11), 0:2 Lipsbergs (28.04), 0:3 Hintermann (39.53), 1:3 Nakajima (41.51)
Audience: 700

HDD Jesenice – HK Celje 1:2
Goals: 1:0 Prostor (2.47), 1:1 Jakupovic (27.55), 1:2 Logar (27.55)
Audience: 600

KHL Sisak – Red Bull Juniors 1:4
Goals: 0:1 Gesson (19.01), 1:1 Mikkola (24.50), 1:2 Wurzer (38.14), 1:3 Vinzens (43.38), 1:4 Oberhauser (51.16)
Audience: 978

SG Cortina – EK Zell am See 6:0
Goals: 1:0 Ushnev (1.02), 2:0 Barnabò (12.39), 3:0 Barnabò (31.03), 4:0 Felicetti (33.41), 5:0 Lehtonen (55.42), 6:0 Forte (57.45)
Audience: 360

The table