Great HCB report card, Part II: This striker was outstanding

From Bolzano's point of view, in addition to defender Dennis Robertson, a striker from last season in particular left their mark. You can read why Brett Findlay outshone everything and how the rest of the HCB attackers performed in the second part of the big s+ end-of-season report card. In the first part, the two goalkeepers, 8 defenders and coach Greg Ireland were evaluated. ATTACK Domenic Alberga 6,5 In terms of points, the Italian Canadian was able to build on his debut season. While Alberga had 2019 points in 20 games in 48/26, he scored 51 times in 24 games this winter. Alberga has a good overview and usually led the 3rd or 4th Bozen line as a center forward. His physical style of play was missed for long stretches of the playoffs. Ultimately, the 28-year-old defensive striker missed several games in the decisive championship phase due to a harmless groin injury, which is why he fell out of favor with his teammates. Anthony Bardaro 7 The Italian Canadian was unable to build on last season. While a year ago he collected 40 points in 51 games, this year he had 37 points in 61 games. The 28-year-old goalgetter was mostly used in the parade block alongside Mike Halmo and Daniel Catenacci and hit the mark 17 times. Due to his physical deficits, Bardaro often had a difficult time against the opposing defenders, but his precise wrist shot was feared by the goalkeepers. Anton Bernard 7,5 The captain was slow to get up to speed last winter, but offered his best performances at the crucial moment, when several of his teammates fell far short of expectations. Bernard played his best playoffs to date since joining the EBEL in Bolzano in the 2013/14 season. The 32-year-old center forward worked tirelessly and was a role model for all team members on and off the ice. Bolzano's best defensive striker was indispensable, especially in Bolzano's outnumbered game. The father of two from Kaltern finished the season after 61 games with 22 points, including 8 goals. Dan Catenacci and Mike Halmo often stood out for their lack of discipline. © Max Pattis, Egger Matthias

Daniel Catenacci 7,5 For the Italian Canadian, his third season in the Bolzano jersey was the best in terms of points so far. In 3 games, the 56-year-old center forward, who unexpectedly also performed defensive duties, collected 28 points and scored 35 goals. Nevertheless, Catenacci owed a lot. Above all, his discipline left a lot to be desired, as the 20 penalty minutes prove. Bolzano's best face-off player, who was number 103 in the league with 59,2 percent of puck throws won, weakened his team with countless offensive fouls, but also through referee criticism. The former NHL crack started the season extremely strong, but continued to decline. Ivan Deluca 6,5 The Sterzinger proved to be a team-friendly player who was not above doing the dirty work. However, the national player still has to work on his productivity. In 54 games, the left winger recorded 9 points (3 goals). Due to a shoulder injury, Deluca had to miss a month. The 23-year-old was mostly used in the back row, but also proved to be very useful in the power play. At 1,93 meters, the tallest player in the HCB ranks always impressed with his reach and skillfully blocked the view of the opposing goalkeepers when they were in the majority. Brett Findlay 9 The Canadian was the South Tyroleans' top scorer with 57 points. He also led the team's top scorer list with 23 goals. Together with the two defensemen Dennis Robertson and Nick Plastino, Findlay was also number 24 in the plus-minus rating with +1. The 28-year-old harmonized excellently with his linemates Dustin Gazley and Daniel Frank and was always good for an element of surprise thanks to his wit. He was one of the league's strongest center forwards and was difficult to separate from the screen. Daniel Frank 7,5 The Merano native can look back on his best season to date in the cross-border championship. In 61 games, the tall winger scored 26 points, including 10 goals. The 27-year-old, who was an important point of reference in the dressing room, always had the back of his congenial strike partners Brett Findlay and Dustin Gazley. Frank was a tireless worker who never avoided a duel and was one of the best penalty killers in the entire league. The cheerful nature never minced words, repeatedly criticized herself in interviews and spoke plainly. Daniel Frank played his best season in the HCB uniform. © DLife

Luca Frigo 7 The reliable winger from Moncalieri (Piedmont)'s 5th season in the Bolzano jersey was his best to date. The role player scored 61 times in 23 games and beat his previous record by 3 points. Frigo hit the mark 9 times. His goal tally could have been even higher if he hadn't shown nerves on one or two solo attempts. The 27-year-old mostly acted inconspicuously, but made noticeably few mistakes. The Piedmontese has long since become at home in South Tyrol and was particularly indispensable in penalty killing. Dustin Gazley 8,5 How valuable the Italian-American was for the HCB last winter only became apparent when he was missing for 3 weeks due to a knee injury he suffered in the semi-final opener against Vienna. Nevertheless, the nimble and technically adept attacker managed as many points in 9 play-off games and was number 53 behind his strike partner Brett Findlay with a total of 20 points (57 goals) in 2 games. Gazley impressed with a lot of game intelligence, brilliant shooting technique and excellent overview. The 32-year-old was one of the fairest players on his team and only spent 6 minutes in the cooler. Stefano Giliati 7 The Italian-Canadian always brought in his great experience, but was often unlucky when it came to finishing. The lightning-fast attacker was on the ice 57 times, scoring 26 times and netting 8 times. Giliati usually fought in an exemplary manner, but he was rarely able to really make a mark. The 33-year-old occasionally caused problems for his opponents thanks to his shrewdness, but ultimately he was just a follower who couldn't quite live up to the expectations placed on him. Mike Halmo 7,5 The Canadian walked between genius and madness all winter long. His playing skills are undisputed. As does his hard and often undisciplined style of play, which Patrick Björkstrand (Villach) and Ali Wukovits (Vienna) in particular can sing a song about. With 105 penalty minutes, the 29-year-old was the most punished player in the HCB's ranks, beaten only by Innsbruck's Braden Christoffer (122 minutes). The supposed royal transfer from Bolzano created space for his teammates, went where it hurt and was rarely able to be controlled by his opponents due to his physical and technical advantages. Marco Insam 7 The 31-year-old was not always able to meet the expectations placed on him. He revealed weaknesses, especially in the finish, and went almost 11 weeks without scoring. In 56 games, the winger, who scored a total of 20 points, “only” scored 8 goals. In doing so, he equaled his negative record in the cross-border championship from the 2015/16 season. Despite everything, Insam was a very team-serving player who was allowed on the ice in all moments of the game: whether at 5-on-5, when outnumbered or outnumbered. Marco Insam endured an 11-week goal ban during the season. © Vanna Antonello

Angelo Miceli 8 The lively Italian-Canadian was convincing across the board and scored 63 points (40 goals) in 18 games. The Calabria Sniper scored 15 times in the 12th play-off games alone. Miceli had no problems adapting and found his way around all the lines. The Kalter player repeatedly posed problems for his opponents with his technique and puck control. The 27-year-old winger caused unrest and no longer acted as selfishly as in previous years. Simon Pitschieler 6,5 The man from Val Gardena watched several games from the stands. When he was called up, he was allowed to play far too rarely. Coach Greg Ireland repeatedly let the talent languish on the bench and in return squeezed out his top performers. The carefree 23-year-old center forward was therefore far too rarely able to demonstrate his skills in his debut season. In 55 games, Pitschieler hit the mark twice and appeared as an assist twice. Along with Karl Stollery and Marco Insam, he was only one of 2 Bolzano players who had a negative plus-minus balance (all -2).

Not rated: Andreas Bernard, Frederic Cloutier, Jakob Rabanser, Mattia Tava, Alex Trivellato, Gregorio Gios, Diego Glück, Stefan Quinz, Patrick Tomasini, Davide Schiavone and Leonardo Felicetti.

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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Great HCB report card, Part II: This striker was outstanding

HCB Südtirol Alperia set the tone for a long time in the ICE Hockey League (ICE) last winter. The two-time EBEL champion finished the basic round and the pick round in first place and only had to admit defeat in the final against Klagenfurt AC.

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