Man of the Match: Eddie Pasquale © VSV/Stefan

Eddie Pasquale: The Incredible in Black and Yellow

HC Falkensteiner Pustertal could have taken a more relaxed approach to their final regular season match on Sunday evening. Instead, fans watching on television were treated to a very intense game in which goalkeeper Eddie Pasquale became the hero. Villacher SV were left empty-handed.

March 01, 2026

From: leo

HC Pustertal won their last game before the playoffs 1-0. While the team's overall performance could have been improved (a lack of discipline, for example, proved to be a major weakness), one man's performance was extremely positive: Eddie Pasquale. The goalie, who has also had to weather some tough times this season, is in top form just in time for the start of Carnival season.

The Incredible In a famous comic book film, he's usually dressed in red and black. But on this particular evening, he swapped his red for yellow. What Pasquale conjured up on the ice was truly otherworldly. His saves left not only the offensively potent Eagles speechless, but also the nearly 3.500 fans in the arena. Need an example? With about two minutes remaining, Adam Helewka found himself completely unmarked in front of the Canadian. Pasquale remained calm and snatched the certain 1-1 equalizer from the former Bolzano player with his glove. It was one of many plays in which Pasquale truly surpassed himself.

Premiere for Osmanski

Besides the outstanding goalkeeper, who undoubtedly delivered his best performance of the season that evening, another player stole the show: Austin Osmanski. The American, feared for his robust style of play, not only performed with his usual solidity and toughness, but also scored his first goal of the season in his 48th appearance. Subsequently, his teammates, despite numerous clear-cut chances, were thwarted by the equally brilliant Joe Cannata, who was clearly inspired by his counterpart's performance.

As a result, the game, which lasted over two and a half hours due to numerous interruptions, remained exciting literally until the last second. Puster Valley's victory – and with it, their jump to fifth place – was ultimately secured. Villach, meanwhile, didn't have too much to complain about, because the Eagles retained home-ice advantage in the pre-playoffs thanks to the Black Wings Linz's loss to the Graz 99ers. The latter, however, won the regular season and thus get to choose their quarterfinal opponent first.

Pustertal can now relax for nine days before the playoffs begin on March 10 – possibly against HC Bozen, who also celebrated a victory on Sunday at the Pioneers Vorarlberg.

Villacher SV – HC Pustertal 0:1

VSV: Cannata (Swette); Wall-Katic, Lindner-Uschan, Vallant-Raspotnig; Hutchison-Helewka-Hughes, Rebernig-Hancock-Scherbak, Teasdale-Budgell-van Nes, Tschurnig-Maxa-Wallenta, Prodinger.
coach: Allard

HCP: Pasquale (Rabanser); Lauridsen-Di Tomaso, Almquist-Blum, Glira-Osmanski, Zanatta; Bowlby-Rueschhoff-Purdeller, Saracino-Bardreau-Lipon, Lobis-Ticar-Ierullo, Andergassen-Frycklund-Deluca.
Trainer: Jasper

Gates: 0:1 Osmanski (6.46)

Viewers: 3435

ICE Hockey League:

Black Wings Linz – Graz 99ers 1:3
Goals: 0:1 Ganahl (10.43), 0:2 Swaney (25.38), 1:2 Lebler (26.37), 1:3 Collins (59.45)
Audience: 4575

Red Bull Salzburg – HC Innsbruck 4:1
Goals: 1:0 Lewington (9.34), 2:0 Michael Raffl (14.00), 3:0 Robertson (36.01), 3:1 Benker (51.58), 4:1 Thomas Raffl (58.35)
Audience: 3194

EC KAC – Vienna Capitals 2:3 aet
Goals: 0:1 Souch (25.06), 1:1 van Ee (28.05), 2:1 Fraser (49.55), 2:2 Peeters (50.39), 2:3 Gazzola (61.09)
Audience: 3720

Fehervar – Ferencvaros Budapest 3:2 aet
Goals: 0:1 Coulter (28.51), 1:1 Cheek (29.13), 1:2 Kestila (57.41), 2:2 Kuralt (59.26), 3:2 Kuralt (61.28)
Audience: 5115

Pioneers Vorarlberg – HC Bozen 1:4
Goals: 0:1 McClure (7.43), 0:2 Gazley (7.57), 0:3 McClure (15.58), 1:3 Erne (25.27), 1:4 Gazley (58.39)
Audience: 1558