Matt McLeod & Co. narrowly won. © Johannes Radlwimmer / Johannes Radlwimmer

Late winning goal: Zell am See takes the lead for the first time

EK Zell am See took a 2-1 lead in the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL) final series against HDD Jesenice. On Thursday, the Austrians won in front of nearly 2600 spectators thanks to a strong comeback.

10 April 2025

From: pm

Zell am See narrowly prevailed 4-3, despite the visitors from Slovenia leading 2-0 and 3-2 at one point. But Aljaz Predan scored the game-winner for the home team 76 seconds before the end of the third period.

Jesenice got off to the better start in the third final match. After 17 goalless minutes, Erik Svetina gave the visitors the lead after a nice combination with Nejc Brus. In the 23rd minute, the Slovenians increased their lead to 2-0 through Jack Lyons, who confidently buried the puck after a strong solo effort. But then the home team took control. In the 32nd minute, Hubert Berger reduced the deficit to 1-2 with a precise shot into the near post on the power play. The Pinzgau team even equalized in the second period through Matt McLeod.

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The score was 2-2 heading into the final period. However, it took only 94 seconds for Jesenice to regain the lead: Martin Bohinc's wraparound attempt was initially denied by EKZ goalkeeper Max Zimmermann, but Jasa Jenko converted on the follow-up to make it 3-2. But just as before, the home side came back into the game. In the 53rd minute, Christian Jennes scored an artistic goal to equalize at 3-3.

EK Zell am See defeated Jesenice. © Johannes Radlwimmer / Johannes Radlwimmer

Both teams subsequently created several great chances, but everything pointed to the first overtime of the final series – until the game was finally decided with 76 seconds left: Aljaz Predan scored to make it 4-3, giving Zell am See its first lead of the game. Jesenice had no answer and now faces pressure in front of their home crowd on Sunday – a win is essential to prevent the Eisbären from scoring match pucks.

Alps Hockey League, final:

EK Zell am See – HDD Jesenice 4:3
Goals: 0:1 Svetina (17.50), 0:2 Lyons (22.15), 1:2 Berger (31.04), 2:2 McLeod (36.25), 2:3 Jenko (41.34), 3:3 Jennes (52.36), 4:3 Predan (58.44)
Audience: 2539
Score in the series: 2:1