Connor Ford led the Foxes to victory in the Tyrolean duel. © HCB Social Media

Thanks to his parents: Ford opens the playoff door for Bozen

The Foxes are really picking up speed! HCB Südtirol Alperia landed their next victory in Innsbruck and made a leap forward in the table. The decisive factors were Connor Ford and a special visit from overseas.

23 January 2024

From: fop

Connor Ford scored just 37 goals in his first 5 games for HC Bozen. He collected exactly that many in his last three appearances alone. First he shot the Foxes to victory against Fehervar with a brace, then he scored in the 3-4 win against Salzburg and also prepared all three other goals. But that wasn't enough: Now he led Bozen with two goals to an important 1-3 win against Innsbruck. The HCB thus pushes the Haie out of fourth place.

Of course, one can only speculate as to how this incredible explosion in performance could have happened. In any case, one reason is likely to be Tim and Melissa Ford. They are the parents of 25-year-old Connor and have decided on a trip to Europe in mid-January. HC Bozen will thank them for a long time. Since they arrived in South Tyrol last week, their offspring has been scoring unstoppably.

The family visit apparently did Ford good. The reserved, sometimes shy US boy was something of a stopgap towards the end of the transfer period and came to Bolzano with modest references from his first full AHL season. There he really wasn't noticed because of his goal threat - until last Friday and the arrival of his parents.

Harvey comes up trumps again

In the Tyrolean duel, it was not only Ford who made the around 100 Bolzano fans who had traveled with him cheer, but also goalie Sam Harvey. Who was once again a rock-solid support and celebrated his 5st shutout in his 1th appearance since his HCB comeback.

The new table 4. from Bolzano now has until Saturday to charge the batteries before the home game against the Vienna Capitals. HC Pustertal has to play at home against Linz on Friday. The Wolves had to settle for a point in Tuesday's overtime defeat against Ljubljana. The 0-12 defeat of Asiago in Klagenfurt caused a stir on this match day.

HC Tiwag Innsbruck – HCB Südtirol Alperia 0:2

HCI: Buitenhuis (Gratzer); Albano-Steffler, Halbert-Jakubitzka, Krogsgaard-Kerber; Roy-Rockwood-Peeters, Lattner-Mackin-Green, Bär-Ulmer-Winkler, Ludin-Mader-Ploner, Schintler.
Coach: O'Keefe

HCB: Harvey (Vallini); Valentine-Vandane, Teves-Di Perna, Miglioranzi-Parlett, Pietroniro; Miceli-McClure-Thomas, Halmo-Ford-Gazley, Frigo-Mantenuto-Frank, Brunner-Alberga-Felicetti.
Coach: Hanlon

Gates: 0:1 Connor Ford (17.28), 0:2 Connor Ford (33.19)

Viewers: 2.500

The other Tuesday games:

HK Olimpija Ljubljana - HC Pustertal 4:3 aet
Goals: 0:1 Akeson (1.45), 1:1 Pavlin (4.57), 2:1 Dodero (18.55), 2:2 Morley (48.45), 3:2 Mehle (49.33), 3:3 Frycklund (56.55), 4:3 Bicevskis (60.17)
Audience: 1.260

Black Wings Linz - RB Salzburg 2:1 nP
Goals: 0:1 Bourke (1.16), 1:1 Feldner (43.08), 2:1 Knott (decisive penalty)
Audience: 4.150

Vienna Capitals - Graz 99ers 4:3
Goals: 1:0 Eriksson (15.15), 1:1 Krastenbergs (28.09), 2:1 Heinrich (36.38), 3:1 Preiser (37.54), 4:1 Stefanson (50.45), 4:2 Salinitri (56.29), 4:3 Schiechl (58.31)
Audience: 4.000

Klagenfurter AC - Asiago Hockey 12:0
Goals: 1:0 Postma (1.36), 2:0 Jensen Aabo (2.39), 3:0 Bischofberger (4.39), 4:0 Haudum (9.22), 5:0 Haudum (18.00), 6:0 Postma (33.33) , 7:0 Haudum (34.09), 8:0 Fraser (38.24), 9:0 Bischofberger (39.43), 10:0 Hundredpound (44.57), 11:0 Fraser (49.50), 12:0 Haudum (56.13)
Audience: 3.511

Fehervar AV - Villacher SV 2:1
Goals: 0:1 Hancock (10.40), 1:1 Laberger (24.17), 2:1 Mihaly (27.51), 2:2 Rebernig (52.43), 3:2 Terbocs (58.09)
Audience: 2.006