Bolzano is desperate in Salzburg: now it needs a miracle

Bozen has the best final memories against Red Bull Salzburg: in 2014 and 2018, the White Reds were crowned champions against the Mozartstadt team. But this series could break in the third final encounter: The Foxes had to admit defeat 0-3 in the Salzburg Volksgarten despite a courageous performance, are behind 1-3 in the best-of-seven series and have to play on Sunday from 17.30 p.m Save the first match puck in the Sparkasse Arena.

It was a scene that isn't actually worth a syllable on the game chroniclers' notepads. And yet that action towards the end of the middle third was emblematic of this final 4 in Salzburg. Bolzano's Dylan Di Perna, at 92 kilograms anything but a lightweight, is suddenly seized by defiance, anger, frustration - whatever - and sets off for a hammer-hard check on Salzburg's Thomas Raffl on the open ice. But the 1,94 meter tall and 106 kilogram veteran of the Red Bulls remains steadfast like a monstrous rock from which Di Perna bounces off like a timid wave.

Pascal Brunner (left, Bozen) in a duel with Salzburg's veteran Thomas Raffl. © GEPA pictures/ Gintare Karpaviciute

That's exactly how it was on the ice: Bozen threw everything into the balance right from the start, at times played more strongly than ever before in this final series, and repeatedly put Salzburg in trouble - but the goal simply wouldn't come in. The main reason for this was Red Bull goalie Atte Tolvanen, who seemed almost insurmountable and made Bozen despair with an outstanding performance (33 parried shots). In the four final games, the Finnish goalkeeper only conceded two goals. What Tolvanen and his front men are doing is impressive, but at the same time it is also a sobering testament to Bolzano's offensive men. Still an unparalleled goal machine in the regular season, Mitch Hults & Co. have lost their way, especially in the most important phase of the season. Even a “dirty goal” simply doesn’t work at the moment.

Daniel Frank is combative The power play in particular is magical: in the 13 powerplay situations in this series, Bozen did not score a single goal, and on Friday they missed five opportunities. Meanwhile, Salzburg is defensively compact, wide awake when it comes to turnovers and ice-cold when the opponent makes mistakes. Nevertheless, HCB captain Daniel Frank is there Pulse24 -Interview combative: “I can assure you: We will win on Sunday and play in Salzburg again!” The highlights Bolzano Turbo The HCB starts like the fire department in the Salzburg ice arena. The highlight of this turbo performance: Mike Halmos and Christian Thomas' shots against the crossbar. Out of nowhere In the midst of Bolzano's pressure phase, Salzburg takes the lead: Dennis Robertson, the ex-HCB crack, energetically penetrates the offensive zone, plays a one-two with his defensive partner Martin Stajnoch and gives Sam Harvey no chance - 1-0 (11th) . Short dance Bolzano's Mike Dalhuisen's frustration erupts when he is checked by Tyler Lewington. The gloves tumble onto the ice, but the fight is almost over: Lewington wrestles Dalhuisen to the ground. Error and goal Pascal Brunner, who started today in the scoring line with Mitch Hults and Christian Thomas, wants to free himself from the defensive zone, but hits the puck so poorly that it becomes the ideal template for Benjamin Nissner - and it's already 2-0 (33. ). Air outside The Foxes' big rebellion doesn't come in the final third. Despite two outnumbered situations, there is hardly any danger. It seems as if the Foxes have resigned themselves to their fate. Salzburg's playoff top scorer Mario Huber made the final score 3-0 via Empty Net.

ICE, Final 4 (Best-of-Seven) EC Red Bull Salzburg – HCB Südtirol Alperia 3-0 RBS: Tolvanen (Kickert); Heinrich-Lewington, MacWilliam-Genoway, Robertson-Stajnoch, Meyer-Stepelfeldt, Harnisch-Nissner-Schneider, Paul Huber-Bourke-Thaler, Hochkofler-Wukovits-Mario Huber, Heigl-Raffl-Baltram Coach: McIlvane

HSBC: Harvey (Bernard); Culkin-Miglioranzi, Dalhuisen-Cole Hults, Valentine-DiPerna, Ginnetti; Gazley-McClure-Halmo, Frigo-Mantenuto-Frank, Brunner-Mitch Hults-Thomas, Frattin-Alberga-Miceli, Felicetti Coach: Hanlon

Gates: 1:0 Dennis Robertson (10.13), 2:0 Benjamin Nissner (33.00), 3:0 Mario Huber (58.34)

Viewers: 3400

Status in the series: 3:1

Further game dates: 16.4., possibly 18.4. and 21.4.

ICE Regular Season ICE	SP	TV	P
1. Graz99ers	5	17:8	15
2. EC Salzburg	5	23:16	12
3. HCB South Tyrol	5	18:12	12
4. EC Klagenfurt	7	22:20	12
5. Olimpija Ljubljana	5	11:10	11
6. Fehervar	5	17:10	9
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Bolzano is desperate in Salzburg: now it needs a miracle

How bitter for HCB Südtirol Alperia: The Foxes suffered their third final defeat against a superlative Red Bull Salzburg on Friday evening. If Bolzano doesn't win at home on Sunday, then the Red Bulls are champions.

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