Sensation in the ice wave: HCB defeats Sweden's runner-up

In the first competitive game of the season, HC Bozen was unrecognizable compared to the preparatory games. From a solid defense, all four attack blocks combined at times as if from a single source. In particular, the first line around Dan Catenacci, Brett Findlay and Mike Blunden offered fast-paced ice hockey.

Catenacci with an early wake-up call It was also Catenacci who ensured a dream start for the Foxes. After just 38 seconds, he shot the puck completely free into the top corner – 1-0! The Swedish top club was visibly shocked and initially found no remedy against the aggressive Bolzano team. In the 15th minute they increased it to 2-0: After the AIK defense carelessly lost the puck, Findlay played across to Blunden, who scored dryly. This time, however, Skellefteå showed a reaction. Just 22 seconds after the HCB goal, Linus Lindström restored the old distance. 3.000 spectators came to the ice wave for the CHL opener, including some fans from Sweden.

While Bolzano only had a few moments to score in the starting third, the guests got off to a lightning start after the break. In the first minute, Filip Berglund shot from a tight angle and Leland Irving's catching hand came too late. Now a completely even duel developed, in which the Foxes continued to have the better scoring chances. After Alex Petan and Blunden failed, Marco Insam took heart in the power play. He fired a rocket at the blue line, which hit the corner of the goal before AIK goalie Mantas Armalis could even see it. Bolzano also ended this third with a one-goal lead. Skellefteå accelerates Angelo Miceli almost expanded this further immediately after the restart. But he failed alone in front of Armalis. In return, Bud Holloway challenged Leland one-on-one. A short time later, the Bolzano goalkeeper was already defeated when Juhamatti Aaltonen pushed the puck past the empty goal. The big favorite from Scandinavia now increased the speed significantly. The “Füchse” withstood the pressure until five minutes before the end, but then Aaltonen broke the spell. He scored to make it 3-3 and send both teams into overtime. Petan shoots Bolzano into luck This passed without any further goals and so the decision had to be made in a penalty shootout. There, Petan was the fifth Bolzano shooter to hit the mark, Skellefteå missed the subsequent penalty and Bolzano's sensational victory was secured.

The next CHL duel will take place in the Eiswelle on Sunday. Then IFK Helsinki, who also started with a win, will be in South Tyrol. In any case, this performance in Bolzano made you want more.

Find out what HCB debutant Ivan Deluca says about the opening win here . Champions Hockey League, Group C 1th matchday HCB Südtirol Alperia - Skellefteå AIK 4:3 nP (2:1, 1:0, 0:1, 0:0, 1:0)

Silver : Irving (Smith); Nordlund-Glira, Geiger-Campbell, Marchetti-MacKenzie, Catenacci-Findlay-Blunden, Miceli-Crescenzi-Petan, Carozza-Bernard-Frank, Insam-Kuparinen-Deluca, Schweitzer Coach: Suikkanen

AIK : Armalis (Lindvall); Granberg-Djuse, Berglund-Lindgren, Pudas-Norén, Stenvall; Albin Eriksson-Wingerli-Hedberg, Joakim Lindström-Linus Lindström-Möller, Aaltonen-Olimb-Jimmie Ericsson, Holloway-Berggren-Alvares, Andersson Coach: Samuelsson

Tore : 1:0 Dan Catenacci (0.38), 2:0 Mike Blunden (14.10), 2:1 Linus Lindström (14.32), 2:2 Filip Berglund (20.46), 3:2 Marco Insam (36.43), 3:3 Juhamatti Aaltonen (54.21), 4:3 Alex Petan (decisive penalty)

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GKS Tychy − IFK Helsinki 3:5 (1:1, 2:2, 0:2) Tore : 1:0 Sykora (4.33), 1:1 Motin (18.09), 1:2 O'Connor (26.35), 2:2 Komorski (29.27), 3:2 Cichy (31.05), 3:3 Kankaanperä (32.40) , 3:4 Motin (43.19), 3:5 Lessio (52.12) 2th matchday GKS Tychy – Skellefteå AIK (Sunday, 15.30 p.m.) HCB Südtirol Alperia – IFK Helsinki (Sunday, 18.30 p.m.)

ICE Regular Season ICE	SP	TV	P
1. EC Klagenfurt	48	183:121	97
2. EC Salzburg	48	173:130	95
3. HCB South Tyrol	48	155:113	93
4. Linz	48	155:121	88
5. EC Villach	48	173:143	86
6. Graz99ers	48	149:121	86
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Sensation in the ice wave: HCB defeats Sweden's runner-up

HCB Südtirol Alperia started the Champions Hockey League with a passionate performance and a surprising win against Skellefteå AIK. The Foxes brought the supposedly overpowering Scandinavians to their knees in a penalty shootout in front of 3.000 spectators.

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