Threw everything into the balance: HCB goal scorer Scott Valentine. © All photos: Vanna Antonello

A Bozen victory with a loud warning shot

Late on Wednesday evening, 3102 visitors to the Bozen ice hockey arena hugged each other and wild cheers erupted. But all of this only happened two and a half hours after the game had started. The reason for the long wait is likely to make those responsible at HC Bozen uneasy.

20 November 2024

From the Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano

The long ice hockey evening in the south of Bolzano was due to a victory by the Foxes, which was only confirmed in the penalty shootout with 2:1. The next home victory was celebrated exuberantly on the ice and in the stands. Before that, however, there was sheer confusion for two and a half hours - probably also in the management of the HCB Südtirol Alperia.

It was not the one point that was given away, but rather the presentation of the title candidate that raises questions. If Bozen wins games at this stage of the season, it is because of the exuberant quality of the individuals. Not because of the good collective. The Bozen star ensemble does not work together either in front of their own goal or when moving forward. Gaps keep opening up. Matt Bradley and Co. are far too imprecise in finishing and often not aggressive enough in face-offs.

The shoe pinches both front and back

These deficiencies are most evident in the power play. With a success rate of 20%, they are only average in the league when it comes to power play statistics. On Wednesday evening, the White-Reds did not celebrate a single time - and that despite being allowed to play with one more man for five times or ten minutes. Coach Glan Hanlon or, if necessary, squad planner Dieter Knoll must urgently find a solution here.

As difficult as the second-placed team is currently having it, the constant murmuring in the stands, which grew louder in the Sparkasse Arena as the game went on, does not do justice to the efforts of the cracks on the ice. The Foxes first tried passionately to force an equalizer, then to avoid overtime. And in the end, the class of individuals - on this evening that of Scott Valentine, Adam Helewka and Sam Harvey - was enough to make the fans go crazy again.

In the end, the Bozen team celebrated their only home win of the Wednesday match day (see results below). The Foxes have their next chance to score points at home on Saturday, when they host the Vienna Capitals on their trip to South Tyrol in the Sparkasse Arena. The day before, the Viennese team will be guests at HC Pustertal.

HCB Südtirol Alperia – Olimpija Ljubljana 2:1 nP

HSBC: Harvey (Vallini); Valentine Seed, Spornberger-Bourque, Hults-DiPerna; Marchetti-Helewka-Finoro, Salinitri-Christoffer-Bradley, Gazley-McClure-DiGiacinto, Frigo-Mantenuto-Frank, Brunner.
Coach: Hanlon

Ljubljana: Horak (Kolin); Masic-Pavlin, Gregorc-Atwal, Cosic-Ege, Crnovic-Kapel; Mahkovec-Kerbashian-Lavoie, Sabolic-Tomazevic-Simsic, Zajc-Bicavskis-Sodja, Mehle-Bericic-Vodlan
Coach: Karhula

Gates: 0:1 Miha Zajc (8.30), 1:1 Scott Valentine (42.42), 2:1 Adam Helewka (decisive penalty)

Viewers: 3.102

The other Wednesday results:

Asiago – Innsbruck 5:6 nV
Goals: 0:1 Bauer (5.08), 1:1 Turnbull (20.46), 1:2 Mackin (24.41), 1:3 Grasso (40.35), 2:3 Gennaro (41.21), 2:4 Lattner (47.36), 2:5 Rassell (55.21), 3:5 Moutrey (55.50), 4:5 Kaspick (56.46), 5:5 Misley (58.01), 5:6 Mackin (64.22)
Audience: 1.066

Villach – Fehervar 2:3
Goals: 1:0 Scherbak (19.05), 1:1 Sebok (26.16), 1:2 Sebok (30.34), 2:2 Rebernig (32.25), 2:3 Hari (52.36)
Audience: 3.102

Vorarlberg – Linz 0:2
Goals: 0:1 Ograjensek (9.40), 0:2 Lebler (59.52)
Audience: 1.631