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HC Pustertal remains in the top 6. © HC Pustertal/I. Foppa
Wolves do the job, but nothing more
Led by Rick Schofield, HC Pustertal clinched a must-win against the Graz 99ers on Sunday. However, this game will not be remembered for a long time because the Wolves offered one of the weakest performances of the season.
18. February 2024
From the Intercable Arena
From:
Leo Holzknecht
The Graz 99ers have started a real sell-out in the last few weeks and traveled to Bruneck with only three complete lines. No wonder, as the Styrians are at the bottom of the table in the ICE Hockey League. Nevertheless, the HCP struggled for a long time in the Intercable Arena, which was filled with 2350 fans, before the 5-1 victory was certain. After like But nobody asks in the current phase of the season. What counts are the three points that keep the chances of a direct playoff entry alive.
Kasper Vuorinen's team appeared on Sunday as if they had not yet overcome the shock of the derby. Sluggish, unfocused and flawed are three adjectives that succinctly summarize the performance. Only two players reached normal form: there was Rick Schofield, who laid the foundation for the victory with his two goals. And goalkeeper Jacob Smith, who was given preference over Andreas Bernard and was always there when called upon.
In the last two games of the regular season against Vorarlberg and Salzburg, there needs to be an improvement in performance - Vuorinen is also aware of that. The gap to sixth place is now two points. Although there is still a direct duel between Villach and Innsbruck, Raphael Andergassen & Co. are dependent on support.
The highlights
| Complicated start | The Graz 99ers are by no means giving in in the first phase and have the better chances. The relief is all the greater when Rick Schofield decisively deflects an Ege shot. |
| It becomes quiet | The Wolves are still in Larifari mode and are punished for it in the second third. Renars Krastenbergs shoots after a cross pass, the puck stays behind Smith and the Latvian calmly slides in. |
| breathe easy | Dante Hannoun sets up for Mikael Frycklund, who is lurking in the slot, who shoots straight away. Goalkeeper Paul Mocher lets the shot roll through his braces. |
| Die Entscheidung | The 99ers' tank is coming to an end in the final section. First Schofield is successful with a powerful one-timer before Jason Akeson hits the top corner with a double advantage. |
| Who doesn't have it yet, who still wants it? | The game had long since been decided when Matthias Mantinger fixed the final score at 5-1 on a pass from Andergassen and ensured a conciliatory conclusion. |
HC Pustertal – Graz 99ers 5:1
HCP: Bernard (Smith); Stanton-Messner, Kasastul-Ege, Glira-Atwal, Althuber; Hannoun-Frycklund-Petan, Morley-Schofield-Akeson, Deluca-Andergassen-Mantinger, Catenacci-Sill-Öhler, Hasler.coach: Mountainous
G99: Mocher (Wieser); Egger-Pfeffer, Kernberger-Schira, Hanl-Reiner; Krastenbergs-Schiechl-Ograjensek, Antonitsch-Wemmenborn-Viksten, Bauer-Krainz-Kittinger, Engelhart.
coach: Pennerborn
Gates: 1:0 Schofield (8.22), 1:1 Krastenbergs (26.09), 2:1 Frycklund (35.07), 3:1 Schofield (46.42), 4:1 Akeson (53.35), 5:1 Mantinger (55.44)
Viewers: 2349
ICE Hockey League:
HC Bozen – Asiago 7:4 (click here for the report)Goals: 1:0 Mantenuto (3.14), 1:1 Gennaro (8.25), 2:1 Gazley (13.30), 2:2 Finoro (13.57), 3:2 Vandane (14.06), 4:2 Gazley (21.10), 5:2 Halmo (25.54), 5:3 Finoro (26.13), 5:4 Finoro (32.57), 6:4 McClure (53.11), 7:4 Frigo (58.34)
Audience: 3690
HC Innsbruck – AV Fehervar 3:2 aet
Goals: 1-0 Green (17.35), 2-0 Roy (18.37), 2-1 McGauley (42.47), 2-2 Atkinson (54.39), 3-2 Albano (62.56)
Audience: 2400
Black Wings Linz – Villacher SV 2:1
Goals: 0:1 Hughes (23.22), 1:1 Roe (42.39), 2:1 St-Amant (54.01)
Audience: 4863
Red Bull Salzburg – Pioneers Vorarlberg 4-0
Goals: 1:0 Raffl (4.10), 2:0 Rymsha (21.14), 3:0 Schilling (35.19), 4:0 Rymsha (39.18)
Audience: 3114
EC KAC – Oilimpija Ljubljana 8:1
Goals: 1:0 Fraser (00.54), 2:0 Fraser (15.55), 3:0 Sablattnig (17.48), 4:0 Klassek (19.05), 4:1 Bicevskis (24.01), 5:1 Postma (29.38), 6:1 Bischofberger (32.00), 7:1 Bischofberger (55.26), 8:1 Ganahl (56.11)
Audience: 4198
The table
| SP | G | U | V | TV | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. EC Klagenfurt | 47 | 33 | 0 | 14 | 183:101 | 102 |
| 2. Fehervar | 46 | 29 | 0 | 17 | 146:126 | 89 |
| 3. EC Salzburg | 46 | 30 | 0 | 16 | 142:107 | 87 |
| 4. HCB South Tyrol | 46 | 27 | 0 | 19 | 137:125 | 76 |
| 5. Linz | 46 | 24 | 0 | 22 | 146:116 | 75 |
| 6. EC Villach | 46 | 25 | 0 | 21 | 155:136 | 74 |
| 7. HC Innsbruck | 46 | 25 | 0 | 21 | 134:131 | 74 |
| 8. HC Pustertal | 46 | 24 | 0 | 22 | 139:133 | 72 |
| 9. Olimpija Ljubljana | 46 | 22 | 0 | 24 | 142:145 | 66 |
| 10. Vorarlberg | 47 | 21 | 0 | 26 | 149:154 | 62 |
| 11. Vienna Capitals | 46 | 16 | 0 | 30 | 110:163 | 48 |
| 12. Asiago Hockey | 46 | 13 | 0 | 33 | 120:188 | 43 |
| 13. Graz99ers | 46 | 11 | 0 | 35 | 88:166 | 32 |
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