Matthias Mantinger, forward for HC Pustertal. © HC Pustertal

"The shock in our cabin was huge"

After their overtime victory against Red Bull Salzburg in the opening playoff game, HC Pustertal is euphoric. However, the terrible events of the last few hours have also taken their toll on the Wolves' players.

March 12, 2026

From: det

There's a statistic that relatively well underscores the fact that Red Bull Salzburg is a team that suits HC Pustertal. Since the Wolves joined the league, there have been 21 encounters between the two clubs – Salzburg emerged victorious 12 times, while Pustertal left the ice as the winner nine times. "Such a record against the four-time consecutive champions isn't bad," says Matthias Mantinger, Wolves forward, in an interview with... SportNews.

“For whatever reason, we’ve found a way to hurt Salzburg in recent years,” said the 29-year-old from Kaltern. So far this year, the record stands at four wins for Puster Valley and one for Salzburg, with the Wolves suffering a defeat on Tuesday. The sweetest victory came with an away win to kick off the playoffs. "It was a very evenly matched duel, as the statistics also show. There were moments when the Bulls pinned us back for minutes on end. But our quick transition game and discipline helped us a lot," Mantinger analyzed.

"This is about a human life, which is 100.000 times more important than sport." Matthias Mantinger

However, all of that faded into the background on Tuesday: In the quarter-final match between Klagenfurt and Fehervar, [the player] suffered [a serious injury]. KAC defender Jordan Murray suffered a cardiac arrest on the ice. “The shock in our cabin was huge when we found out,” Mantinger explains.

Jordan Murray had to be resuscitated.

"In a moment like this, the sporting aspect completely fades into the background. I have to say that the euphoria, the atmosphere after the victory, quickly disappeared when we heard this. This is about a human life, which is 100.000 times more important than the sport. Our thoughts are with Jordan Murray, and we hope he pulls through."

The good news: Murray is on the road to recovery. On Wednesday morning, KAC announced that the 33-year-old Canadian was in stable condition. In the afternoon, the Krone then, that Murray has woken up from his medically induced coma and is responsive.

The Intercable Arena will likely be sold out on Thursday. © HC Pustertal

This good news makes it much easier to focus on the ice hockey with great enthusiasm. On Thursday at 7:15 p.m., HC Pustertal aims to build on their success against Salzburg at the Intercable Arena. The question is increasingly being asked: Can the Bulls be beaten this year? "I believe that every team is beatable – so why not Salzburg? We will do everything we can to play a strong series and advance to the quarterfinals. And anything is possible in the playoffs."

How will HC Bozen react?

Meanwhile, HC Bozen will be looking to make amends in their away game in Ljubljana on Thursday. The Foxes had to swallow a bitter pill in their opening game on Tuesday: Leading 2-1 with 36 seconds remaining, they then conceded the equalizer and quickly added another goal in overtime to make it 2-3, sealing their defeat.

Nevertheless, even though Bolzano didn't shine against league top scorer Nicolai Meyer & Co., the Foxes controlled the game for long stretches. That gives them confidence for Thursday. Enrico Larcher (injured) and Pascal Brunner, who plays for Merano in the Alps Hockey League, will not be available.

ICE Quarterfinals, Game 2 (Best-of-7) – Thursday, 7:15 p.m.

HC Pustertal – Red Bull Salzburg
Score in the series: 1:0

Olimpija Ljubljana – HC Bozen
Score in the series: 1:0

Villacher SV – Graz99ers
Score in the series: 0:1

Klagenfurter AC – Fehervar AV19 (postponed)