The Foxes fight their way into the semi-finals

HC Bozen has overcome the Bratislava hurdle and will fight for a final ticket in the ICE Hockey League starting next Sunday. The Foxes defeated the league newcomers from Slovakia 3-2 in the fifth game and won the quarter-final series 4-1.

Once again, the Bolzano cracks had to give everything they had to keep the upper hand against the extremely robust and tactically excellent Capitals and, alongside Vienna and Klagenfurt, become the third team to reach the semi-finals. There they will meet the team that was worst placed after the intermediate round, i.e. the Capitals or Dornbirn, provided they clear the Salzburg hurdle.

Early on Sunday evening, HCB coach Greg Ireland sent the first clear signal before the game even started: He ordered the recently disappointing Anthony Bardaro to the fourth line and had Stefano Giliati move into the parade block in order to create more playfulness and movement. Ireland were also without defenders Karl Stollery and Dylan Di Perna in game five, as well as Domenic Alberga, who sustained a minor leg injury on Friday. Findlay and Gazley turn things around Despite the personnel changes, the game in the ice wave was a continuation of the most recent meeting in Slovakia. The Capitals, who played extremely physically but fairly, did not allow the HCB offense to come into its own, especially in the starting third. On the other hand, the guests benefited from one of Bolzano's many penalties when Mitch Hulls made it 11-1 with a wrist shot in the 0th minute. But it wasn't enough for the guests to take the lead at the break, as Brett Findlay scored in the 19th minute to make it 1-1. Coming from the bench, the Canadian stormed in front of the Caps goal, took the puck from a Gazley pass and pushed it into the goal under goalie Jared Coreau's pad.

The scene was repeated shortly after the restart: This time Findlay played the disc into the path of Dustin Gazley, who brought it towards the goal without actually taking the shot. In slow motion, the hard rubber slid over the line under Coreau's braces.

Curious opening goal: Jared Coreau looks for the puck, Dustin Gazley watches as it slides over the line. © Antonello

The White Reds' embarrassed cheers soon gave way to the certainty that nothing had been won here. As a result, the cracks of both teams wore themselves out in countless tough duels - until the gangs could no longer withstand the wild hustle and bustle. Four and a half minutes before the second half-time siren, a protective panel on the Bratislava bench broke, meaning both teams went into the break early. Now it's time to fill up your strength reserves In the final section, which was extended by the remaining time, Bozen tried to keep the intensity in its own ranks high with quick shifts. That turned out to be a winning move in the end, as Mike Halmo scored the eventual winning goal in the 50th minute with a cross corner goal from the backcourt. Bratislava came close again three minutes later through Maxime Fortier, but the Foxes subsequently extended their narrow lead with a lot of passion and sometimes breathtaking saves from Leland Irving.

Now the people of Bolzano have a week to replenish their energy reserves and prepare for the next part of the title marathon in the ICE Hockey League.

HCB Südtirol Alperia - iClinic Bratislava Capitals 3:2 HSBC: Irving (Fazio); Robertson-Youds, Pietroniro-Plastino, Fournier-Tauferer; Halmo-Catenacci-Giliati, Frank-Findlay-Gazley, Frigo-Bernard-Miceli, Deluca-Bardaro-Insam, Pitschieler Coach: Ireland

Bratislava: Coreau (Baros); Carson-Guimond, Chovan-Bohunicky, Boldizar-Culkin, Durkech-Smida; Ahl-Hults-Fortier, Kostsitsyn-Higgs-Miklik, Bubela-Buc-Hudec, Faith-Bezak-Kover Coach: Draisaitl

Gates: 0:1 Mitchell Hults (8.29), 1:1 Brett Findlay (18.01), 2:1 Dustin Gazley (21.04), 3:1 Mike Halmo (49.50), 3:2 Maxime Fortier (52.28) Best of 7 series: 4: 1 - HCB in the semi-finals The other quarter-final duels: Red Bull Salzburg - Dornbirn Bulldogs 1-0 Gates: 1:0 Baltram (25.15) Series: 3:2

Klagenfurter AC - Villacher SV Goals: 1:0 Koch (0.34), 2:0 Petersen (7.36), 2:1 Gill (27.11), 3:1 Bischofberger (38.44) Series: 4:1 - KAC in the semi-finals

Vienna Capitals - Fehervar AV19 Series: 4:0 - Vienna in the semi-finals

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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The Foxes fight their way into the semi-finals

It was a grueling battle over 10 days, 5 games and 305 minutes of play, but now it is clear: the Bratislava Capitals have been defeated, HCB Südtirol Alperia are in the semi-finals and can continue to dream of the championship title!

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