Sam Harvey is celebrated by the Bolzano fans. These are emotional times for the HCB goalie. © Manfred Mair

“I play for dad”: Sam Harvey’s emotional derby win

HC Bozen celebrated an exhilarating derby victory over HC Pustertal on Sunday evening. For one of the Foxes' protagonists, it was also an emotional success after he had been through a very difficult time in recent weeks.

September 23, 2024

When the final whistle sounded in the Sparkasse Arena on Sunday evening at 20.16 p.m. and Bozen’s 5-2 victory over HC Pustertal was confirmed, The white and red party was already underway. The diehard fans of the "Curva" were jumping, singing, celebrating, their favorites on the ice cheering wildly. Only one person paused for a moment: Sam Harvey. With a quick but remarkable gesture, the Bozen goalie sent a kiss to the sky before being hugged, congratulated and celebrated by his teammates.

It is a scene that probably describes Sam Harvey's current emotional world quite aptly. On the one hand, the HCB goalkeeper is in outstanding form and led his Bozen team to victory in the derby against Pustertal with a strong performance. On the other hand, the 26-year-old has had a very difficult time in the past month. In mid-August, Harvey lost his father Michel.

“My father supported me always and everywhere.” Sam Harvey

"The past month has been very hard for me," said Harvey in the locker room of the Sparkasse Arena after winning the derby. "Ice hockey has always been a big part of my life, just like it was for my father. He supported me always and everywhere." Harvey's words are emotional: "Before my dad died, he told me that I should continue on my path and continue to enjoy ice hockey. I always have him in my head and now I play for him. It was a very emotional time and will probably continue to be emotional in the future."

The team as a great support

Because of the death, Harvey only joined the team in early September and in the middle of the preparation. "The team helped me a lot during this time. Being in the dressing room with the guys, laughing, having fun, that was a huge help to me," explains Harvey.

Sam Harvey (right) partly drove the Pusterer (in yellow) to despair.

The fact that the goalkeeper feels at home in Bolzano was also evident in the first two championship games. The Canadian remained goalless for 116 minutes in a row. Harvey celebrated a shutout in the 5-0 win against Black Wings Linz, and against Pustertal it looked like he would do the same for a long time, but then the Wolves scored two more goals in the finish to make it 2-5. Nevertheless, Harvey is already in enviable form.

Chants for Harvey

"I worked hard on myself in the summer, both in the weight room and on the ice in Canada. I think these are the first fruits that I can reap," says Harvey happily, adding in the same breath: "I want to get even better!" It is sentences like these that the Bozen fans particularly like to hear. Harvey has long since made it into their hearts. On Sunday evening, a chant echoed through the Sparkasse Arena that will be heard more often in the future. "Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Harvey, Harvey!"