In overtime: Kozek becomes a HCB terror

Just two days after new coach Clayton Beddoes' commitment, the Foxes put on a passionate performance in Klagenfurt and at times brought back memories of last year's championship fairytale. However, there was no happy ending that evening: the KAC won 5-4 in overtime and took the lead in the quarterfinal series. The decisive crack was Andrew Kozek, who failed three times at the goal post and twice gave way to the otherwise strong HCB backup Jake Smith.

Both teams went into the first meeting with counted personnel: While the KAC was missing four key players with regular goalkeeper Lars Haugen, Manuel Geier, Marco Richter and the ex-Bolzano player Robin Gartner, the HCB had to play with Brett Findlay, Paul Geiger, Matt MacKenzie and its number one Leland Irving again provided four import players.

HCB relies on its defense Despite the many failures, the cracks on the ice kept a high pace from the start. Although the "Red Jackets" set more offensive accents, it was Bolzano's Angelo Miceli who pushed the puck over the line with his skate and stick in the 8th minute and put his team in the lead. Kozek equalized just 5 turns later. He was there after a rebound from Smith and defeated him with a backhander. Markus Nordlund (right) recorded a goal and an assist. © Kiss

In the middle third, Bozen's power play came into its own: In the 22nd minute, Markus Nordlund hammered the puck into the top corner. It was the lanky defender's tenth goal of the season. Clemens Unterweger equalized immediately, but in the 29th minute Mike Blunden put the Foxes back in the lead with the next power play goal. The long-time NHL crack directed a Nordlund shot into the net with his lower leg. Afterwards, the KAC threw everything forward. After the extremely strong Kozek failed twice at the goal post, Johannes Bischofsberger took advantage of a hole in the Bolzano defense, went to Smith alone and scored to make it 3-3. The draw for the Carinthians was deserved at this point. KAC hits aluminum 4 times The final period began for Bozen with an ice-cold shower, i.e. Klagenfurt's first-ever opening goal. Thomas Koch scored in the power play. But this time HC Bozen did it in KAC style and equalized just a little later: Anton Bernard moved from the left wing in front of David Madlener's goal and lifted the disc over his shoulder under the crossbar - 4:4! Before the third siren, luck stood by the bravely fighting South Tyroleans twice more when first Nick Petersen and then the completely unlucky Kozek, who was completely unlucky, failed to hit the post. This is how the HCB saved itself into overtime.

However, the additional time only lasted 41 seconds before the KAC got lucky. And who scored for the sudden death victory? Of course, Andrew Kozek, the sole entertainer in this exciting playoff fight. “Three times I couldn’t get the puck into the almost empty goal, but at some point it had to go in,” smiled the Canadian goalscorer after the end of the game.

Now the best-of-seven series moves to Bolzano, where the second quarter-final duel will take place on Friday (19.15:XNUMX p.m.).

Klagenfurter AC – HCB Südtirol Alperia 5:4nV (1:1, 1:2, 2:1, 1:0)

KAC: Madlener (Holzer); Comrie-Fischer, Harand-Schumnig, Strong-Unterweger, Schnetzer-Kreutzer; Kozek-Koch-Petersen, Hundredpound-Wahl-Bischofsberger, Obersteiner-Neal-Geier, Kraus-Liivik-Witting. coach: Petri Mitikainen

HSBC: Smith (Driving Ripe); Geiger-Glira, Nordlund-Marchetti, Carozza-Campbell; Brace-Blunden-Petan, Frigo-Bernard-Miceli, Deluca-Catenacci-Insam, Schweitzer-Kuparinen-Frank. coach: Clayton Beddoes

Gates: 0:1 Angelo Miceli (7.05), 1:1 Andrew Kozek (12.52), 1:2 Markus Nordlund (21.39), 2:2 Clemens Unterweger (22.37), 2:3 Mike Blunden (28.10), 3:3 Johannes Bischofsberger (36.25), 4:3 Thomas Koch (42.46), 4:4 Anton Bernard (47.14), 5:4 Andrew Kozek (60.41)

Shots: 39:20

Penalty minutes: 4:6

Viewers: 3.192 The other quarter-final series, game 1: Vienna – Znojmo 7:0 Goals: 1:0 Vause (3.20:2), 0:5.09 DeSousa (3:0), 17.33:4 DeSousa (0:19.40), 5:0 Schneider (22.40:6), 0:35.30 DeSousa (7:0), 42.31:XNUMX Peter (XNUMX:XNUMX), XNUMX:XNUMX Olden (XNUMX) Audience: 3.400

Graz – Linz 7:3 Goals: 1:0 King (10.08), 1:1 Davies (17.09), 1:2 Matzka (21.28), 2:2 Oleksuk (28.34), 3:2 Caito (29.53), 4:2 Oberkofler (31.24), 5:2 Weihager (36.32), 6:2 Moderer (49.17) 6:3 Carle (49.48), 7:3 Hamilton (59.10) Audience: 2.803

Fehervar – Salzburg 1-0 Goals: 1-0 Koskiranta (15.43) Audience: 3.309

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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In overtime: Kozek becomes a HCB terror

Round one goes to the KAC: HCB Südtirol Alperia had to admit defeat to Klagenfurt's strong offensive team after a 61-minute fight at the start of the playoffs.

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