The chronology of an (almost) perfect season

We review the entire year and highlight the most important data: from the end of last year's season to the most important transfers and the biggest victories.

4. March: An already messed up season ends in a debacle. After an overtime defeat in Klagenfurt, the Foxes suffered a crushing 0-7 defeat at home against the Red Jackets. Instead of aiming for the third title, it's already over in the pre-playoffs. That same evening, Captain Anton Bernard announced his immediate resignation. A major upheaval seems inevitable.

27. March: Even before the HCB announces the first commitments, Daniel Catenacci, a long-time fox, is leaving the Talferstadt. Alex Trivellato, Matthew Maione and Brett Findlay follow suit. It is now clear that no stone will be left unturned.

Glen Hanlon has achieved a lot at HCB. © APA / EXPA/JOHANN GRODER

8. May: Unlike in previous years, the new coach is announced in front of the players: It is Glen Hanlon, who can count on a lot of experience and knows the league. “It is a club with a long-standing tradition that always aims to play for the title. I want to do justice to that,” he said at the time. He followed up his words with actions.

10. June: The first player to sign a working paper with the White-Reds is Daniel Mantenuto. The Italian-Canadian is one of 14 newcomers. The squad planning will be completed on August 30th with the signing of storm star Christian Thomas.

10. August: The HCB begins preparations in Corvara. Mitch Hults, Cole Hults, goalie Sam Harvey and the aforementioned Thomas are still missing. The Foxes toil in Val Badia for nine days before a whopping ten friendly games are on the agenda. Daniel Frank & Co. won six of them, but ultimately suffered a crushing 0-6 defeat against HC Pustertal. Slight unrest is spreading in the HCB environment.

The new legionnaires around Mitch Hults hit the ground running. © Vanna Antonello

September 16: The season starts with four home games and as many wins. 3:0 against Pioneers Vorarlberg, 4:1 against Olimpija Ljubljana, 2:1 against Black Wings Linz and 5:1 against HC Innsbruck. The HCB couldn't have dreamed of a better start.

9. October: The first derby of the new season belongs to the Foxes. They won 5-3 in Bruneck and sent a strong signal: Bolzano should be South Tyrol's number 1 again. With three more derby triumphs, they are putting this plan into practice in an impressive way.

21. October: The Foxes suffer their first setback: in their first guest game in Asiago since its promotion to the ICE Hockey League, the South Tyroleans are 0-3 behind. They made up for this before Anthony Salinitri secured the Asiago victory with 17 seconds left. It is the third defeat of the season, all of which came away.

The Sparkasse Arena was a fortress this year. © Vanna Antonello

November 19: After nine wins from the first nine home games, the HCB lost a game in their own four walls for the first time. Despite a goal after just 31 seconds by Mike Halmo, the Vienna Capitals ultimately retained the upper hand 5:3. In the entire regular season, the Foxes only had to admit defeat at home three times.

November 28: A memorable journey comes to a strange end: After Glen Hanlon's team wins 48-1 against EC KAC and Fehervar within 0 hours, the game at the Vienna Capitals is canceled - because the cooling system in the Steffl Arena is defective.

26th December: The HCB is finally starting to soar: in the last 20 games of the regular season, Angelo Miceli & Co. celebrated 18 wins and only suffered two defeats. This means they once again get their ticket to the Champions Hockey League and start the playoffs as league leaders.

Dustin Gazley became a hero in the Linz series. © Vanna Antonello

7. March: After the Black Wings Linz had a lot of trouble in the pre-playoffs against the Graz 99ers, the Foxes are the clear favorites in the quarter-final series. However, the 2-0 win at the start was followed by two 1-2 defeats. Suddenly there is fire under the roof, the favorite is under pressure.

21. March: Linz forced a decisive seventh game in front of their own fans and thanks to an overtime win. This is hard to beat in terms of excitement: The Austrians are on the winning path for a long time, but then Dustin Gazley comes onto the scene: The Italian-American scores the 2-2 six minutes before the end and shortly afterwards the winning goal in extra time.

2. April: Although Mitch Hults and Mike Halmo are out in the meantime, the semi-final series against the Vienna Capitals is much more relaxed: with a 3-2 win, the Foxes decide the series 4-1 in their favor and move into the final, where Red Bull Salzburg waits.

14. April: The Foxes start the final series with a 1-0 win in front of their own fans. Afterwards, Ryan Culkin & Co. only managed one goal in three games. It seems as if there is no getting past the defensive bulwark of the Bulls, who now lead 3-1 in the series.

16. April: The Foxes are alive! They took the lead three times in the Sparkasse Arena, Salzburg responded three times: Benjamin Nissner forced overtime with 27 seconds left. This then develops into a true ice hockey crime thriller and lasts 55:10 minutes. Matt Frattin is directed by Scott Valentine and extends the series with a precise shot.

18. April: Again the HCB has his back to the wall - and again he pulls his head out of the noose. Another 4-3 win reveals that the Bulls also have their weaknesses. The momentum is now back on the Foxes’ side. The rush for tickets for the last home game of the season is huge.

21. April: Almost 7000 fans squeeze into the Sparkasse Arena, everything is set up for the championship party in white and red. But in the end the champagne corks pop the Salzburgers. They turned a 0-1 deficit into a 108-2 with the winning goal 1 seconds before the end. The Bulls are celebrating their eighth championship title, while Bolzano is missing out on the final crowning glory of an almost perfect season.

ICE Regular Season ICE	SP	TV	P
1. Graz99ers	8	25:18	19
2. HCB South Tyrol	7	26:14	18
3. Olimpija Ljubljana	8	22:19	17
4. EC Salzburg	7	31:22	16
5. EC Klagenfurt	9	30:28	15
6. Fehervar	7	21:14	12
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The chronology of an (almost) perfect season

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