Finn van Ee and Ken Ograjensek in a duel. © F. Pessentheiner

Klagenfurt advances to the final and does Bozen a favor

As in the previous year, the ICE Hockey League final will see Red Bull Salzburg take on Klagenfurter AC. However, fans of HC Bozen also had reason to celebrate this evening, as the elimination of the Black Wings Linz qualified them for the Champions Hockey League (CHL).

01 April 2025

From: leo/apa

This is the fifth time the Füchse have participated in the CHL. The White-Reds last competed in the premier league in 2023/24. Daniel Frank and Co. have never advanced beyond the round of 24. A total of XNUMX teams are participating in the competition, including Red Bull Salzburg and KAC. These teams will face each other starting Friday in a rematch of last year's ICEHL final.

The record champions from Klagenfurt won 2-0 at home against Black Wings Linz in the decisive seventh game of the semifinal series on Tuesday. The goals were scored by Raphael Herburger (38th minute) and Nick Petersen (53rd minute).

A defensive battle

Linz, who had already fought back from behind several times during the playoffs, didn't hide in front of the 4.403 spectators in the Heidi Horten Arena. Graham Knott missed an early great opportunity (10th minute). At the other end, KAC captain Thomas Hundertpfund failed to put the puck in the net (11th minute). The first goal came shortly before the end of the middle period. Herburger, somewhat fortunately, deflected a shot by Jesper Jensen Aabo into the net with his stick and his own skate. It was the seventh goal for the Austrian national team striker in the current playoffs.

Ian Scheid and Fabian Hochegger in a duel. © F. Pessentheiner

In the final period, Nick Petersen scored his 29th playoff goal for KAC, a decisive blow. The Canadian effortlessly fired into the top corner of the net during the power play. The Linz team tried everything, but KAC goalie Sebastian Dahm was no match for Brian Lebler and his teammates. The visitors also made life difficult for themselves with penalties in the final period.

No further comeback for the Black Wings

The Black Wings have been threatened with elimination four times with losses in the current playoffs. They managed to extend the season four times, including three times in the dramatic quarterfinal series against the Graz99ers. They were denied a fifth. Linz must therefore continue to wait for its first final appearance since winning the championship 13 years ago. KAC, meanwhile, is playing for its 33rd championship title. Defending champions Salzburg, who beat Bolzano 4-1 in the semifinals, are playing for their XNUMXth.

Thomas Hundertpfund & Co. are through, Marcel Witting & Co. are out. © F. Pessentheiner

The two teams are facing each other in a final series for the fourth time; all three previous series have gone the full seven games. KAC won the title in 2009, Salzburg in 2011 and 2024. Last year, Salzburg clinched their third consecutive Austrian championship with a 6-2 victory in Klagenfurt.