HC Bozen is shooting its way into the playoffs

For days, the Bolzano ice hockey fans had been practicing daring arithmetic games, but in the final game against Znojmo these were no longer possible after only a third. Because it was already clear then: HC Bozen had their playoff ticket in their pocket early. At the end of a very strong performance, the Foxes won 5-0. As fifth in the table, they move into the pick round, which from Friday (away against Salzburg) is “solely” about creating the best possible starting position for the knockout phase.

Znojmo's goalkeepers proved to be a decisive factor in the clear home win. Coach Miro Frycer surprisingly placed his trust in Dominik Groh between the posts, who had good statistics (catch rate 91,4%), but had only played 13 games this season and is extremely inexperienced at 21 years old. After just 12 minutes, the Czech coach reversed his decision and brought on 36-year-old Finn Teemu Lassila for Groh. Only: At this point, Bolzano was already leading 3-0!

In the duel between Bolzano and Znojmo, the waves kept rising. © V. Antonello

Marco Insam opened the scoring after just 17 seconds when Groh let the disc ricochet twice and he was finally able to make it 1-0. Just three minutes later, a rebound from the former Czech youth international landed on the tip of Sebastien Sylvestre, who increased the score to 2-0 after a small turn. The Foxes were already in a frenzy in this starting phase. In the 11th minute, Anthony Bardaro broke through the porous Znojmo defense and scored dryly. For Groh, the third goal meant it was time for work as he now made way for Lassila.

However, his teammate, 15 years his senior, cut a similarly unfortunate figure just two minutes after being substituted on, when Daniel Frank, outnumbered, rounded the opponent's goal and put the goalie out of action with this pawn trick. The Meraner, who was to be awarded Man of the Match at the end of the evening, increased the score to 4-0 with his seventh goal of the season and was rewarded for another passionate performance. Irving holds everything Znojmo now found a reaction to this next resounding slap in the face. Not in the form of goals, but with physical resistance. Ales Sova challenged Brett Flemming to a boxing match before the first break, but he went down first after a short time. In the second third, a mass brawl developed in front of the Czech goal, after which two Znojmo cracks had to leave the ice.

However, Bozen didn't let this throw him off course and went through his program with ease. If danger did arise, Leland Irving was always there. At the end of the evening, the Canadian goalkeeper would lead his team to their seventh (!) shutout win of the season. The South Tyroleans had their top scorer Anthony Bardaro to thank for the fact that this ultimately ended with a five-goal difference. After a fine puck relay, he scored for the 17th time this season and made the final score 5-0. HCB Südtirol Alperia – HC Orli Znojmo 5:0 HSBC: Irving (Fazio); Wiercioch-Tauferer, Robertson-Daly, Marchetti-Flemming, Glira; Giliati-Sylvestre-Bardaro, Catenacci-Arniel-Insam, Miceli-Alberga-Frank, Frigo-Hargrove-Hannoun Coach: Ireland

Znojmo: Groh (Lassila); Novak-Stehlik, Sova-Cermak, Kruckovyc-Miklis, Jonas; Svoboda-Flick-Luciani, Matus-McRae-Berisha, Vopelka-Bartos-Bowles, Gago-Kosnar-Oscadal Coach: Frycer

Gates: 1:0 Marco Insam (0.17), 2:0 Sebastien Sylvestre (3.27), 3:0 Anthony Bardaro (10.35), 4:0 Daniel Frank (12.38), 5:0 Anthony Bardaro (55.34)

Viewers: 3.970 The other results: Linz – Klagenfurt 3:0 Goals: 1:0 Finn (7.19), 2:0 Lebler (34.28), 3:0 Fejes (36.43) Audience: 4.865

Graz – Dornbirn 5:3 Goals: 0:1 Sointu (14.17), 0:2 Macierzynski (27.02), 1:2 Hillding (36.28), 2:2 Johansson (40.11), 3:2 Garbowsky (46.41), 4:2 Hillding (50.54), 4:3 Sointu (55.42), 5:3 Garbowsky (57.12) Audience: 3.497

Vienna – Innsbruck 3:1 Goals: 0:1 Spurgeon (10.45), 1:1 Kittinger (14.53), 2:1 Zalewski (17.37), 3:1 Rotter (46.27) Audience: 4.500

Salzburg – Villach 1:2 nP Goals: 0:1 Pollastrone (40.48), 1:1 Brickley (55.57), 1:2 Ulmer (decisive penalty) Audience: 3.400 The final table: SP G U V TV P 1. Salzburg 40 28 0 12 138:82 83 2. Vienna Capitals 40 25 0 15 130:86 78 3. Klagenfurt 40 23 0 17 110:79 68 4. HCB South Tyrol 40 23 0 17 118:96 66 5. Graz99ers 40 22 0 18 113:113 66 6. Villach 40 22 0 18 122:109 64 7. Linz 40 20 0 20 132:132 63 8. Znojmo 40 20 0 20 128:133 61 9. Fehervar 40 17 0 23 108:137 51 10. Innsbruck 40 10 0 30 100:159 31 11. Dornbirn 40 10 0 30 84:157 29

ICE Regular Season ICE	SP	TV	P
1. Klagenfurt	47	183:101	102
2. Fehervar	46	146:126	89
3. Salzburg	46	142:107	87
4. HCB South Tyrol	46	137:125	76
5. Linz	46	146:116	75
6. Villach	46	155:136	74
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HC Bozen is shooting its way into the playoffs

HCB Südtirol Alperia has been playing in the Erste Bank Ice Hockey League for seven years - and the Foxes are represented in the playoffs for the seventh year in a row. In front of 4.000 enthusiastic spectators, the HCB celebrated a resounding victory in the last regular season game.

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