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HC Pustertal also won their second game against Salzburg. © HC Pustertal / I. Foppa
Out of control: Pustertal rushes to another victory
An entire valley dreams of making the impossible possible: After their second resounding victory in the quarter-finals of the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL), HC Falkensteiner Pustertal suddenly dreams big against serial champions Red Bull Salzburg.
March 12, 2026
From the Intercable Arena
From:
Leo Holzknecht
"Setting course for the finals": This short but poignant message was displayed on a banner in the Rienzkurve (the stands) for the first home playoff game of the season. That this wasn't just empty talk, but a firm conviction, became clear in the following 60 minutes. Pustertal delivered another brilliant performance, defeating the favorites 2-1 and pulling ahead 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.
First things first: While the Wolves impressed with their skillful play 48 hours earlier in Salzburg, entirely different virtues were required this evening: resilience, self-sacrifice, and fighting spirit. The reason was their opponent, who, compared to the first encounter, showed a different side and fully exploited their potential. Time and again, the Bulls managed to establish themselves in the offensive zone. However, the tightly packed HCP defense held firm, making life extremely difficult for the Austrians and once again relying on an outstanding Eddie Pasquale.
The Canadian goalkeeper was constantly on the ball, maintaining his composure despite the heavy traffic and showing no signs of hesitation. His handling of the rebounds was world-class.
Glira with a heroic performance
However, special praise was also due to Daniel Glira. "Demoted" to seventh defender before the game, the homegrown talent became the match-winner. His goal to make it 2-1, when he simply took a shot without hesitation, was emblematic of his consistent performance. Even when the team was down a man, Glira relentlessly pressured the opponent, disrupting him and preventing him from getting a shot on goal.
The choreography of HC Pustertal.
What the Wolves must be criticized for once again, however, is their poor finishing. Just like in Salzburg, Cole Bardreau and his teammates could have decided the game earlier. They failed to capitalize on half a dozen clear-cut chances, including several breakaways. If Jaspers' team can address this issue in the upcoming games, nothing should stand in the way of their semifinal berth. The Wolves certainly have the recipe to beat the champions. They aim to prove it again in just 48 hours when the third game of the series kicks off in Salzburg at 7:15 p.m.
The highlights
| Bowlby again | The American whirlwind is unstoppable and finds three excellent chances at the start of the game, hitting the post once. A lucky escape for the Bulls. |
| Lots going on in Bruneck | Salzburg improved after a cautious start and took the lead through St-Denis' rebound. Pustertal responded through whom else? That's right: Bowlby, who, playing shorthanded, was set up by Bardreau and calmly slotted home past Tolvanen. |
| Glira of all people | Pustertal continued their strong play in the second period and scored with their fourth line. Mantinger's stick broke during a shot attempt, the puck rolled onto Glira's stick, who didn't hesitate and caught Tolvanen between the pads. |
| He has to go in | A murmur rippled through the arena as Lewington's shot hit the post. Pustertal weathered further periods of pressure during the second period before Saracino squandered two golden opportunities at the start of the third. |
| What a fight! | Salzburg tried everything, absolutely everything, to turn the game around. However, the Puster Valley's defensive wall refused to budge – and held onto their hard-fought victory. |
HC Pustertal – Red Bull Salzburg 2:1
HCP: Pasquale (Rabanser); Blum-Almquist, Lauridsen-DiTomaso, Zanatta-Osmanski, Glira; Saracino-Bardreau-Rueschhoff, Bowlby-Ticar-Purdeller, Lobis-Frycklund-Lipon, Mantinger-Andergassen-Deluca.Trainer: Jasper
RBS: Tolvanen (Kickert); Stephens-Corcoran, Nienhuis-Krygier, Robertson-Lewington, Rebernig; Thomas Raffl-Nissner-Schneider, Michael Raffl-St. Denis-Bourke, Thaler-Baltram-Huber, Kraus-Wukovits-Schreier, Auer.
coach: nurseries
Gates: 0:1 St-Denis (11.02), 1:1 Bowlby (13.43), 2:1 Glira (22.55)
Viewers: 3104
Status in the series: 2:0
ICE Hockey League:
Olimpija Ljubljana – HC Bozen 1:2Goals: 1-0 Boychuk (13.40), 1-1 McClure (23.54), 1-2 Gildon (53.32)
Audience: 3765
Standings in the series: 1:1
Villacher SV – Graz 99ers 1:5
Goals: 0-1 Huber (41:01), 0-2 Harnisch (42:13), 0-3 Currie (54:15), 1-3 Rebernig (56:24), 1-4 Currie (58:34), 1-5 Lippitsch (59:39)
Audience: 3107
Score in the series: 0:2
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