Braden Christoffer and the HCB crashed heavily. © 2024,Vanna Antonello

Embarrassing performance: Bozen humiliated by Asiago

HC Bozen as the measure of all things in the ICE Hockey League? That was once upon a time! The Foxes were knocked off the top of the table in the classic against Asiago. It was a performance that left you speechless.

04 October 2024

From the Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano

Many of the more than 2.700 spectators must have repeatedly rubbed their eyes in disbelief. Were these really their Bozen ice hockey heroes who had just slipped into a debacle? The men in red and white lost 2:8 to Asiago, who were bottom of the table. The only people cheering were the 150 or so away fans who loudly celebrated the first win of the season.

After four completely convincing, even in some cases exhilarating performances - including the derby victory against Pustertal - the Bozen team were literally woken up by Asiago. Although the guests from Veneto had started without six regular players and with only three lines, they literally tore apart the defense of the arrogant title contender.

The Bozen defense was basically not on the ice at all on Friday evening. Asiago's strikers - especially three-goal scorer Carter Turnbull - were repeatedly allowed to dance their way through the defense. Goalie Sam Harvey, who had previously saved a whopping 97,7 percent of the shots on his goal, also didn't hold his ground. He was replaced by Johnny Vallini in the last break of the third period.

There is no reaction

At this point, the HCB was already 2:6 behind. A fightback, a real fightback was also missing in the following. This was also because HCB coach Glen Hanlon hardly gave any signals and stuck to his line system for a long time. Pascal Brunner was only regularly used in the final phase in the second offensive block for the disappointing Michele Marchetti.

The defeat is bearable for Bozen, but the way in which it came about should be seen as a warning signal. Also with regard to the next game on Sunday in the new, ultra-modern arena in Fehèrvar. HC Pustertal will also try to make amends at home against KAC on Sunday. The Wolves lost against Linz 2:4.

HCB Südtirol Alperia - Migross Asiago Hockey 2:8

HSBC: Harvey (ab 40.00 Vallini); Valentine-Seed, Spornberger-Bourque, Hults-DiPerna, Helewka-Bradley-Gazley, Marchetti-Christoffer-McClure, Frigo-Mantenuto-DiGiacintoSalintri-Finoro-Frank, Brunner.
Coach: Hanlon

Asiago: Cowley (Fazio); Cairns-Gazzola, Vallati-Fram, Casetti-Gios, Marchetti; Ierullo-Gennaro-Saracino, Moncada-Misley-Turnbull, Porco-Stevan-Rigoni.
Coach: Fogarty

Gates: 1-0 Gennaro Finoro (3.14), 1-1 Randy Gazzola (5.01), 2-1 Dustin Gazzley (9.38), 2-2 Nicholas Saracino (11.36), 2-3 Carter Turnbull (21.35), 2-4 Randy Gazzola (25.45), 2:5 Alex Ierullo (31.55), 2:6 Nicholas Porco (37.38), 2:7 Carter Turnbull (46.04), 2:8 Carter Turnbull (48.27)

Viewers: 2.720

The other results:

Pustertal - Linz 2:4 (click here for the report)
Goals: 1:0 Findlay (6.59), 1:1 Lebler (18.14), 1:2 Moro (32.36), 2:2 Petan (35.18), 2:3 Maver (46.07), 2:4 Ograjensek (59.22)
Audience: 2.174

Klagenfurt - Graz 2:4
Goals: 1:0 Fraser (9.19), 1:1 Holzer (14.30), 1:2 Huber (23.29), 1:3 Kernberger (32.58), 2:3 Schwinger (53.30), 2:4 Bailey (54.15)
Audience: 4.390

Vienna - Fehervar 1:4
Goals: 1:0 Kemp (26.09), 1:1 Brown (39.45), 1:2 Messner (49.40), 1:3 Mihaly (51.24), 1:4 Bartalis (53.25)
Audience: 3.890

Vorarlberg - Salzburg 5:6 after extra time
Goals: 1:0 Gilmour (9.20), 1:1 Raffl (20.47), 1:2 Hochkofler (29.54), 2:2 Erne (31.44), 3:2 Passolt (33.33), 4:2 Macdougall (46.30), 5:3 Passolt (48.56), 5:4 Raffl (49.03), 5:5 Schneider (53.09), 5:6 Murphy (61.59)
Audience: 1.943

Innsbruck - Ljubljana 3:0
Goals: 1:0 Grasso (14.35), 2:0 Rassell (35.55), 3:0 Steffler (39.54)
Audience: 1.500