The HCB is about to reach the final. © Vanna Antonello

“Leaders were required”: Hanlon speaks plainly

Despite the 3-2 win at Red Bull Salzburg, HCB Südtirol Alperia remains with both feet on the ground. Coach Glen Hanlon praised his players on Thursday after the game, but also pointed out what still needs to improve.

March 29, 2024

From: leo

The cops occurred on Thursday Dominant for long stretches, were ahead in the shot ratio with 31:20 - and still ended up empty-handed. The reason: The Foxes always found the right answer, didn't let setbacks get them down and relied on Luca Frigo in top form. The winger, who hadn't scored in the first eight playoff games, was there twice. “The forward line with Frigo, Daniel Mantenuto and Angelo Miceli played very well for us,” praised Hanlon.

However, the Canadian trainer didn't like everything. “I think our special teams weren’t good. We conceded one goal while outnumbered and one on the power play. With six minutes to go we had the opportunity to play with one more man and we weren't successful. That's the bad side of this evening." But Hanlon was satisfied with how his leading players responded after a mistake by Dustin Gazley preceded the 1-2 lead. “They did a very good job in the third period.”

Hanlon's theory

Hanlon said about the decisive scene around ten minutes before the end of the game, when the 1:3 was initially withdrawn and Frigo subsequently scored the 2:2. “We don’t believe in the momentum. Not about winning or losing it. This is nonsense. We focus on what we have to do each night and how we can always find the right answer.”

The man of the evening: Luca Frigo © Vanna Antonello

There was a certain amount of disbelief among the opponents after the end of the game. “This defeat is difficult to digest,” said coach Oliver David. “I can’t blame the players. Everyone did their job. But events went against us. I can't remember us losing a game when we performed so well. “On the whole, it’s an extremely unhappy evening.” Now it’s about going to Bolzano with enthusiasm.

Goalscorer Mario Huber analyzed soberly after the match. “What we didn't put in at the front, we got at the back. We haven't been in a situation like this for a long time. Now we can prove ourselves.”