Dream final begins: duel between the record champions

With the HCB and the KAC, two teams full of tradition meet: one founded in 2 and record champions in Italy (1933 championship titles), the other founded in 19 and record champions in Austria (1909 championship titles). The fact that the best teams are facing each other this season becomes clear when you look at the table for the basic round: The HCB ended the regular season as league leaders, the KAC in second place. The South Tyroleans also finished the pick round in first place. rank, while the KAC took second place, one point behind. The balance of the season speaks in favor of the Austrians: The KAC won 2 victories in regular time and 1 in overtime in the 2 games. However, 6 wins after 2 minutes went to Bolzano. It promises to be an exciting and balanced final series. The HCB starts the “Best-of-7 series” tomorrow with the home advantage. But: People in Bolzano don't want to know anything about being favorites. Bolzano's sports director emphasized in the daily newspaper “Dolomiten” (Saturday edition): “Due to the failures of numerous top performers, we are no longer the favorites. I estimate the chances at 60:40 percent for the KAC. But we will resist with our virtues and fight until we drop. “The heart of Bolzano has always beaten loudly in the past.” Coach Greg Ireland has to do without at least the suspended Mike Halmo and the injured Karl Stollery, Dominic Alberga and Marco Insam. However, the white and reds are hoping for a comeback from Dustin Gazley. Both teams also have the best goalies in the league in goal. Leland Irving's average catch rate in the season so far is 92,7 percent (92,9 percent in the playoffs), on the other hand Sebastian Dahm impresses with an excellent 93,2 percent (93,3 percent in the playoffs): both took turns Over the course of the season, the Danish goalkeeper was awarded MVP. First final duel The HCB, which eliminated Bratislava in the quarter-finals and the Vienna Capitals in the semi-finals, and the KAC (successful against Villach in the quarter-finals and against Red Bull Salzburg in the semi-finals) have never played against each other in a final. They have already faced each other twice in the quarter-finals: in 2 the South Tyroleans had the upper hand, in 2018 the Carinthians. By the way, the HCB is in its 8th season in the Austrian international league - formerly EBEL, this year ICEHL for the first time - and is in the final for the 3rd time. Both times (in the first season in 2014 and in 2018 they played against Salzburg) the HCB secured the title. Anton Bernard and Daniel Frank were already part of the squad for both championship titles. Insam was there in 2014, but not in 2018. Three years ago, Luca Frigo, Mike Halmo and Angelo Miceli were also part of the championship squad. The KAC goes into the final series as defending champions. The Carinthians defeated the Vienna Capitals in the final in 2019. In 2020, the season was canceled in the quarter-finals due to corona. The final showdown begins next Sunday, when the opening game will take place in the Eiswelle (from 17.30:XNUMX p.m. in SportNews -Ticker). We want to know the tip from SportNews readers in advance. The finals: Game 1 – Sunday, April 11th, at 17,30:XNUMX p.m. (Eiswelle, Bolzano) Game 2 – Tuesday, April 13th, at 19,30:XNUMX p.m. (Stadthalle, Klagenfurt) Game 3 – Friday, April 16th, at 19,30:XNUMX p.m. (Eiswelle, Bolzano) Game 4 – Sunday, April 18th, at 17,30:XNUMX p.m. (Stadthalle, Klagenfurt) if necessary Game 5 – Tuesday, April 20th, at 19,30:XNUMX p.m. (Eiswelle, Bolzano) Game 6 – Friday, April 23rd, at 19,30:XNUMX p.m. (Stadthalle, Klagenfurt) Game 7 – Sunday, April 25th, at 17,30:XNUMX p.m. (Eiswelle, Bolzano)

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
View all

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Dream final begins: duel between the record champions

This final promises a lot: starting tomorrow, HCB Südtirol Alperia and Klagenfurter AC will fight for the title in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL).

Suggestions

Comments (0)