Victory in front of almost 7.000 fans: Bolzano regains the series lead

Both teams tackled the third final game almost fully. While Bozen coach Kai Suikkanen didn't have to name a player, Salzburg was the only crack defender Generous missing. The two injured Trattnig and Harris returned to the squad.

Extremely high pace at the start of the game Bozen started briskly and sent the almost 7.000 fans into ecstasy for the first time after just 24 seconds: via Halmo and Monardo, the puck reached captain Alexander Egger, who placed the puck on the blue line and scored to make it 1-0. But when the cheers of the HCB supporters had just died down, Salzburg struck back: Hughes was left alone behind the Bolzano goal, rounded the goal and scored past the stunned Tuokkola to equalize.

After a fast-paced first ten minutes in which both teams had top-class opportunities, the game calmed down somewhat. As the game progressed, the HCB, which was definitely offensive, became stronger, but without becoming compelling. Shortly before the end, the “Foxes” were lucky with a deflected Schiechl shot that hit the post before they survived a 42-second double outnumbered period unscathed. Play on a knife's edge In the middle section, the back and forth, which was worth seeing, continued. Bozen not only fought back but also played playfully and repeatedly appeared dangerously in front of Salzburg goalkeeper Starkbaum. First, the post prevented the second HCB goal after a Smith finish, then Robin Gartner did better: The Swede shot from the blue line in the power play and scored to make it 2-1.

Bolzano's new lead also only lasted for a short time: 140 seconds after Gartner's goal, Salzburg defender Pallestrang left HCB attacker Monardo standing and equalized with a powerful shot into the near corner. But the HCB stuck with it and found the right answer in an impressive manner: Chris DeSousa broke through on the left and played into the middle to Alex Petan, who made it 3-2 through Starkbaum's legs. Oleksuk makes the decision In the last 20 minutes, Salzburg pushed Bozen back deep into their own zone. While the “Bulls” played the game and kept putting their teeth on goalkeeper Tuokkola, the HCB kept putting pinpricks with quick counterattacks. The only drawback was Bolzano's lack of discipline on offense: a few times the HCB acted too impetuously in attack and made life difficult for themselves with unnecessary penalties.

Around four and a half minutes before the end, Travis Oleksuk redeemed the Bolzano fans: The Canadian directed a Sointu pass into the net with his backhand and thus brought about the decision. Nothing happened in the final minutes - the self-sacrificing HCB players saved the two-goal lead over time and not undeservedly clinched their second win of the best-of-seven series.

The final series continues with the next encounter on Friday. From 20.20:XNUMX p.m. the fourth act of the final thriller is on the program in the Bolzano Eiswelle. HCB Südtirol – EC Red Bull Salzburg 4:2 (1:1, 2:1, 1:0) HSBC: Tuokkola (Jake Smith); Gartner-Tomassoni, Egger-Glira, Carlisle-Clark; Halmo-Oleksuk-Monardo, Frank-Bernard-Frigo, Sointu-DeSousa-Petan, Miceli-Angelidis-Austin Smith, Michele Marchetti, Schweitzer. Coach: Suikkanen

Salzburg: Strong Tree (Gracnar); Brouilette-Trattnig, Raymond-Stajnoch, Heinrich-Viveiros, Pallestrang-Jakubitzka; Harris-Schremp-Mueller, Herburger-Duncan-Hughes, Raffl-Rauchenwald-Huber, Cijan-Schiechl-Hochkofler. Coach: Poss

Goals: 1:0 Alexander Egger (0.24), 1:1 John Hughes (2.06), 2:1 Robin Gartner (32.50), 2:2 Alexander Pallestrang (35.10), 3:2 Alex Petan (35.48), 4:2 Travis Oleksuk (55.32)

Viewers: 6.700

Standings in the best-of-seven series: 2:1

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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Victory in front of almost 7.000 fans: Bolzano regains the series lead

The dream of Bolzano's second championship title in the Erste Bank Ice Hockey League is alive more than ever! On Thursday evening, the “Foxes” beat Salzburg 4-2 and are now only two wins away from winning the title again.

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