There will be plenty of niceties in the derby. © Ivan Foppa

Pustertal vs. Bolzano: Who is ahead in terms of numbers?

A derby writes its own rules. This saying also applies to the eternal duel between Bolzano and Pustertal. But what do the numbers and facts say?

12. February 2024

From: det

The two arch-rivals from Bruneck and Bolzano have had many memorable matches in the past. But the one on Tuesday has a very special meaning: for the first time since the ICE or EBEL joined, the duel between the Foxes and Wolves is not just about fame and honor, but also about extremely important points in the fight for the playoffs. This is one of the reasons why the Intercable Arena has been completely sold out for days.

We met in advance of the cracker on Tuesday (from 19.45 clock, live ticker on SportNews) looked at the numbers and statistics: Who is ahead?

The top scorers

Pustertal Jason Akeson has so far collected 43 points in 42 games, including 10 goals and 32 assists. This puts the former DEL top scorer in 10th place in the league rankings. Bolzano's best scorer is currently Christian Thomas. With 35 points, the former NHL crack is in 26th place.

Jason Akeson (front) is Pustertal's top scorer. © Ivan Foppa

The goal scorers

If it's all about the goals, Bozens has it Christian Thomas the nose in front. With 16 hits, he is the crack with the most boxes in the derby. The Wolves strikers david morley (15) Rick Schofield (15) and Alex Petan (14), however, are breathing down his neck.

The goalkeepers

With Gianluca Vallini The HCB has the goalie with the second best catch rate in the league in its ranks. The person from Bolzano has 93 percent, an impressive rate. However, Vallini is “only” backup and has only played 12 games. Andreas Bernard, who has developed into Puster's top goalie over the course of the season, has a save percentage of 29 percent after 91 games. HCB new addition Sam Harvey can have a rate of 90,4 percent after seven games.

Andy Bernard, goalie of HC Pustertal. © Ivan Foppa

The punishment kings

The bad guys wear the black and yellow jersey. With Dante Hannoun (63 penalty minutes), Christian Kasastul (62) and Arvin Atwal (53), three Pusterers are among the league top 10. Bolzano Blake Parlett ranks tenth in this ranking with 50 penalty minutes.

The extra time

If it goes into extra time or a penalty shootout, then that's it HC Bolzano so far a bank. The Foxes had to go into extra time four times and won the game four times. That's a league best. Val Pusteria There are now five wins and four defeats after extra time or penalty shootouts.

Pustertal against Bozen, this duel is electrifying. © Ivan Foppa

The power play

If HC Pustertal has one more man on the ice, it will be uncomfortable for every opponent. The wolves have the second best power play in the league. A rate of 24,6 percent means that, on average, a Pusterer goal is scored every fourth game with a majority. At the HCB, however, the power play is one of the major construction sites: The Foxes They only have a success rate of 17,1 – the third-weakest value in the league.

The penalty killing

And what happens if Pustertal or Bozen have to act outnumbered? Usually not much! The Wolves and the Foxes are among the ones in this statistic best teams in the league. The HCP thwarted 84,3 percent of its shorthanded games, which is the best value in the entire championship. Bolzano is in no way inferior with a rate of 83,6 percent (third place in the ranking). The Foxes are also extremely dangerous in scoring with one less man on the ice: the penalty-killing specialists led by Luca Frigo and Daniel Mantenuto have already managed to score shorthanded goals five times. Only the KAC is better with six goals, while Pustertal has two goals.