An incredible own goal saves HC Bozen

In the first two games of the season against Linz and Pustertal, HC Bozen performed magic. That was not the case on Friday evening against a decimated but passionate opponent from Vorarlberg. Nevertheless, the big video cube showed a 4:2 victory for Bozen at the end. Why? Because a good team sometimes wins games in which it does not shine.

On Friday, however, another ingredient was needed to keep the three points in the state capital: a strange own goal. Until the 52nd minute, the HCB was trailing 1:2, and the first defeat of the season was already taking shape. But then the strange scene happened: Vorarlberg defender Lucas Sowder was positioned behind his own goal and wanted to clear the ball. But with his clearance, he hit the back of his goalie Alex Caffi - and from there the puck bounced into the goal. While there were puzzled looks among the more than 3.000 fans in the Sparkasse Arena, unlucky Sowder buried his face behind his gloves.

Because there is no such thing as an own goal in ice hockey, the goal was attributed to Scott Valentine, who was the last Bozen player to touch the puck. This incredible goal to make it 2:2 was the crucial point, because after that Bozen sealed the match. Also because Vorarlberg - which only had three complete lines - was at the end of its strength.

An Italian leaves Bolzano despairing for a long time In the 52 minutes before that, the underdog really annoyed the big favorite - especially the strong goalie Alex Caffi (he comes from Varese, but recently got an Austrian passport). However, the pale and error-prone Bozen offense did not cover itself in glory that evening. Goalie Gianluca Vallini showed his skills: While regular goalkeeper Sam Harvey enjoyed a breather on the bench, the backup impressively proved that he can always be relied on. The true Bozen native was ultimately voted player of the game. This is how the evening went Curious gate You don't see a goal like that every day: Vorarlberg's Ross MacDougall shoots in power play, the puck bounces off Daniel Mantenuto's stick, flies high and arcs behind goalie Jonny Vallini into the net (18th). Power HCB First power play situation, first goal! Bozen equalizes with Anthony Salinitri, who hammers a Simon Bourque pass under the crossbar. Bozen are a force in the majority: four of seven power plays this season ended in a goal (25th). But just four minutes later, the cold shower: after a fine combination, Brady Gilmour puts Vorarlberg back in the lead with 2:1 (29th). Unfassbar The incredible own goal by Lucas Sowder – which is ultimately credited to Scott Valentine – marks the turnaround in the 52nd minute. After the 2:2, only Bozen is still on the offensive. Adam Helewka scores the 3:2 winning goal with a fine backhander (57th minute), then Luca Frigo puts the lid on it with an empty net (59th minute). For Bozen, the game continues on Sunday (17.30 p.m.) with a guest appearance in Vienna. HC Pustertal won its first victory of the season on Friday celebrated and will face Ljubljana away on Sunday (18 p.m.).

HCB Südtirol Alperia – Pioneers Vorarlberg 4:2 HSBC: Vallini (Harvey); Valentine Seed, Spornberger-Bourque, Hults-DiPerna; Helewka-Bradley-Gazley, Marchetti-Christoffer-McClure, Frigo-Mantenuto-DiGiacinto, Salinitri-Finoro-Frank, Brunner Coach: Hanlon

PIV: Caffi (Madlener); Friend-Lundegard, Schnetzler-MacDougall, Korecky-Pallestrang; Passolt-Keefer-Woger, Nardi-Cooper-Metzler, Maier-Gilmour-Sowder, Tschofen-Erne Coach: Stanley

Gates: 0:1 Ross MacDougall (17.50), 1:1 Anthony Salinitri (24.09), 1:2 Brady Gilmour (28.06), 2:2 Scott Valentine (51.36), 3:2 Adam Helewka (56.49), 4:2 Luca Frigo (58.51)

Viewers: 3.012

The other games HC Pustertal – HC Innsbruck 4:1 Goals: 1:0 Petan (17.47), 1:1 Hirano (42.41), 2:1 Purdeller (47.32), 3:1 Frycklund (54.35), 4:1 Mantinger (59.20) Audience: 2276

Black Wings Linz – Vienna Capitals 1:2 Goals: 1:0 Neubauer (14.49), 1:1 Heinrich (18.51), 1:2 Gregoire (33.03) Audience: 3529

Olimpija Ljubljana – Asiago 2:1 Goals: 0:1 Fram (4.56), 1:1 Pance (27.05), 2:1 Ege (47.21) Audience: 1843

AV Fehervar – EC KAC 4:0 Goals: 1:0 Erdely (30.05), 2:0 Berger (30.42), 3:0 Gaunce (31.20), 4:0 Hari (42.13) Audience: 3234

Graz 99ers – Villach SV 6:4 Goals: 1:0 Brunner (6.22), 2:0 Ticar (9.13), 2:1 Hughes (32.01), 2:2 Scherbak (36.39), 3:2 Schiechl (40.10), 3:3 Pearson (45.15), 4:3 Roy (45.54), 5:3 Holzer (55.59), 5:4 Coatta (57.24), 6:4 Schiechl (58.56) Audience: 3334

SP G U V TV P 1. HCB South Tyrol 3 3 0 0 14:4 9 2. Graz99ers 3 3 0 0 12:7 9 3. Olimpija Ljubljana 3 3 0 0 9:6 8 4. Fehervar 3 2 0 1 12:6 6 5. Vienna Capitals 3 2 0 1 6:5 6 6. EC Klagenfurt 4 2 0 2 12:11 6 7. EC Salzburg 2 1 0 1 7:7 4 8. HC Pustertal 3 1 0 2 8:11 3 9. Vorarlberg 3 1 0 2 7:10 3 10. HC Innsbruck 3 1 0 2 6:9 3 11. Asiago Hockey 2 0 0 2 4:6 0 12. EC Villach 3 0 0 3 8:12 0 13. Linz 3 0 0 3 1:12 0

	SP	TV	P
1. Ilves Tampere	6	24:7	18
2. KalPa Kuopio	6	24:8	17
3. Frölunda Gothenburg	6	21:11	15
4. Sparta Prague	6	18:9	14
5. Lukko Rauma	6	21:14	13
6. ERC Ingolstadt	6	23:15	12
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	SP	TV	P
1. Graz99ers	48	163:102	102
2. EC Klagenfurt	48	172:115	101
3. EC Salzburg	48	163:104	93
4. HCB South Tyrol	48	172:128	90
5. HC Pustertal	48	158:129	87
6. Olimpija Ljubljana	48	177:137	85
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An incredible own goal saves HC Bozen

Third game, third win: HC Bozen has had a perfect start in the ICE Hockey League. However, the Foxes needed some strange help from their opponents to win on Friday evening.

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