Successful start to the playoffs: Insam shoots HCB to victory

A few hours before the start of the game, HC Bozen was given the condition that not to sell more than 3.000 tickets for the playoff opener . In the end, there were perhaps a few more subscription holders, sponsors and media representatives who found themselves in the ice wave, but the general conditions were certainly strange - especially since many of the spectators also adhered to the requirement to keep a minimum distance of one meter from the person sitting next to them preserve.

The cracks on the ice were unimpressed by the resulting strange image in the stands, at least those in red and white. They defeated Orli Znojmo 3-1 and took the lead in the best-of-seven series for the first time. Double goalscorer Marco Insam became the match winner.

Markus Poukkula (hidden) scored for the first time in the Bolzano jersey. © VANNA ANTONELLO

HC Bozen had significantly more trouble with the physically strong Czechs than in the four meetings so far this season, all of which they clearly won. However, the White-Reds dominated the game for over 60 minutes, but they couldn't manage anything in front of the opponent's goal for a long time. That changed towards the end of the starting third, when the HCB had a double majority: Stefano Giliato passed to Marco Insam, who hit the mark from the high slot. Poukkula scores his first EBEL goal The 1-0 gave the HCB additional tailwind in the middle section. After Anthony Bardaro was denied twice in a row by Znojmo goalie Teemu Lassila, Markus Poukkula finally increased the score to 2-0. The former DEL crack from Finland benefited from a passing error by the guests on his first goal in the Bolzano jersey. It wasn't the first time in this game that Znojmo's defense was shaky. But then the Eastern Europeans caught themselves and were able to halve the deficit in the second third. Brandon Burlon reignited Znojmo's hopes of an opening coup. In fact, there were always gaping gaps in Bolzano's defense. Especially at the beginning of the final period, Ireland's protégés had the necessary luck and the once again outstanding goalkeeper Leland Irving.

Znojmo's storm and urge phase subsided somewhat towards the middle of the last third, Bozen recovered and was able to provide the necessary relief again and again. When Znojmo took his goalkeeper off the ice for a sixth skater, Insam appeared again. He made his way down the left wing, was then brought down by a defender, but pushed the puck over the line while still sitting. The 3-1 was ultimately the decision, because the HCB didn't let anything go in the remaining minute and a half.

The detailed gameplay can be found here in our Live ticker for reading. HC Bozen lived up to its role as favorite in the opening match and maintained its home advantage at least until the next game in the ice wave next Sunday. Two competitors for the title in the Erste Bank Ice Hockey League were completely different: regular season winner Salzburg lost 1:2 at home to Villach, champions Klagenfurt were defeated by Linz 6:3. Vienna, on the other hand, struggled to a 3-2 win against Graz. HCB Südtirol Alperia – HC Orli Znojmo 3:1 Silver : Irving (Fazio); Wiercioch-Tauferer, Flemming-Marchetti, Robertson-Daly, Glira; Frigo-Arniel-Insam, Giliati-Catenacci-Bardaro, Miceli-Bernard-Frank, Hargrove-Alberga-Poukkula, Hannoun Coach: Ireland

Znojmo : Lassila (Groh); Doherty-Burlon, Boruta-Cermak, Sova-Miklis, Jonas-Gago; Svoboda-Flick-Vopelka, Matus-Bartos-Beranek, Novak-Cesik-Berisha, Oscadal-McRae-Bowles Coach: Frycer

Tore : 1:0 Marco Insam (18.13), 2:0 Markus Poukkula (26.26), 2:1 Brandon Burlon (33.41), 3:1 Marco Insam (58.32)

spectator : approx. 3.000 Results of game 1 of the other quarter-final duels: Klagenfurter AC – EHC Black Wings Linz 3:6 Goals: 0:1 DaSilva (16.36), 1:1 Witting (24.11), 2:1 Haudum (33.21), 2:2 Schofield (36.04), 2:3 Lebler (41.58), 2:4 Frejes (45.58), 3:4 Kozek (48.48), 3:5 Fejes (53.19), 3:6 Schofield (56.30) Audience: 4.147 Audience: 4.147

EC Salzburg – EC Villacher SV 1:2 Goals: 0:1 Karlsson (31.50), 1:1 Brickley (41.27), 1:2 Collins (41.52) Audience: 2613

Spusu Vienna Capitals – Graz 99ers 3:2 Goals: 1:0 Wall (0.24), 2:0 Holzapfel (41.07), 2:1 Grafenthin (47.32), 3:1 Holzapfel (51.32), 3:2 Grafenthin (58.51) Audience: 3.500

The other dates of the best-of-seven series: March 6th, 8th, 10th, possibly March 13th, 15th and 17th

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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Successful start to the playoffs: Insam shoots HCB to victory

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