Serie A Škoda: Now it's about the sausage - video

(1) Wolves Fiat Professional Pustertal – (2) HC Bozen 194 days and a total of 57 match days were necessary to determine the two finalists in the highest Italian ice hockey championship. Starting on Thursday, the Fiat Professional Pustertal wolves and HC Bozen will be fighting for their 78th championship title. The fact that there will be a purely South Tyrolean duel will make the many ice hockey “crazy people” in the land of the Dolomites all the more pleased. However, it is no surprise that the two clubs from Bruneck and Bolzano made it to the final, as Wolves and Foxes dominated the basic round, the Master Round and the subsequent play-off and survived the knockout round without any problems .

Vote! Here go to the survey on our Facebook page!

Pusterer and Talferstädter face each other in the play-off for the seventh time in history. The last time they had a hot dance was eleven years ago. In the new edition, modernity (two finals in a row) meets ice hockey history (record champions Bozen won 18 titles) with the Wolves. In the six duels so far, the white and red have always been ahead.

SEASON 86/87 Quarterfinals: Bolzano-Val Pusteria 2-0 (5-1; 7-4)

SEASON 91/92 Semi-final 5°/8°: Bozen-Pustertal 2-0 (9-5; 13-2)

SEASON 94/95 Quarterfinals: Bozen-Pustertal 2-0 (8-1; 4-2)

SEASON 98/99 Quarterfinals: Bozen-Pustertal 3-0 (6-2, 8-1; 11-4) SEASON 99/00 Quarterfinals: Bozen-Pustertal 3-0 (9-2; 6-5; 6-3)

SEASON 00/01 Quarterfinals: Bozen-Pustertal 3-1 (4-1; 6-7; 4-1; 6-2)

But as already mentioned, this is all history. Now it's time for a final, now it's about a title. The Leitner Solar Arena has been sold out since Tuesday, and the Puster audience doesn't want to miss a minute of the first of possibly seven finals. Meanwhile, the Bolzano fans hope that the Foxes can leave the Wolves' den with a sense of success for the first time in the 2011/12 season. In the previous six direct duels, Pustertal celebrated four victories, of which the yellow-blacks won all three games in front of their home crowd. The Wolves achieved their only away win against the record champions on the last matchday of the Master Round.

As far as the squad is concerned, coach Teppo Kivelä has to make two changes. Joe Jensen was suspended and will therefore only be available to the Finnish trainer from game number two. Magnan will move into defense for him. Kelly is unlikely to move into the attack; instead, the second and third lines should be adjusted. The fans expect a lot from their idol David Ling, who has scored five goals and provided an incredible 14 assists in the nine play-off games so far. That's why it's very important for the Bolzano backline to find a way to counter the Canadian "Blitz".

We can also be excited about Giulio Scandella, who has already donned the HCB jersey during his career. However, he has never won the championship title, which is why the attacker should be particularly motivated. In any case, Scandella has shown very solid performances so far this season and has been particularly strong in the important games. However, Armin Helfer, who returned to Bruneck from Switzerland in the middle of the championship, still has room for improvement. If the national defender can build on his play-off performances from previous years, then the Wolves will have another ace up their sleeve in “Wet Nurse”. A lot will also depend on Mikko Strömberg, who was between the posts in the final last year. This year the Finnish goalie had two faces. Gala performances and very weak performances alternated too often for the number 35 Puster team. One can wish the Wolves that the goalkeeper remembers his strengths and can give the people in front of him the support they need.

As far as Bolzano is concerned, the Insam squad is eager for the finals against the Wolves. The people of Bolzano have played “only” eight games since March 3rd, which was because the white-reds swept both Fassa and Cortina off the ice 4-0 in the series. As usual, the defense showed its strongest side. Now the engine of the offensive department also seems to be running smoothly. The parade block with Gilati-Knackstedt-Sharp collected 36 points in eight games, but the second line with Bernard as center and the two wingers McCutcheon and Insam also impressed with brilliant performances, as did line three, which alternately consisted of Zisser, Harjula, Dorigatti and Walcher and, for example, single-handedly decided game number one against Cortina. It seems like every player is doing the right thing at the right moment right now. The Foxes' most valuable player is goalkeeper Matt Zaba. Last year he came into the knockout round exhausted - the goalie has managed his strength better this year and is brimming with enthusiasm and motivation.

There is also news from the injured department. With Edwardson, an important player returns and could be used as “Jolly” if necessary. Meanwhile, the season is over for Josh Meyers.

Serie A Škoda, 1st Play Off Final (best of seven) – Thursday, April 5, 2012

Leitner Solar Arena in Brunico, 20.30 p.m (1) Wolves Fiat Professional Pustertal – (2) HC Bozen Referees: Metelka and Pianezze Line judges: Pardatscher and Soia

The game will be broadcast live on RaiSport 20.25 from 1:20.25 p.m. The match can also be followed live on the Internet from XNUMX:XNUMX p.m. on the website www.raisport.rai.it by clicking on “Guarda in diretta Raisport Uno” in the menu on the right.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Hockey

Tennis

Winter sports

Learn More

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Serie A Škoda: Now it's about the sausage - video

Finally the wait is over! Starting on Thursday, the two strongest teams in the regular season will face each other in the final for the 78th Italian ice hockey championship title: Pustertal on the one hand and HC Bozen on the other.

Comments (0)