Daniel Glira and Co. will also throw everything into the balance in the Klagenfurt exhibition hall. © F. Pessentheiner

When winning becomes an obligation

The ICE semi-final with double South Tyrolean participation goes into the next round. HC Pustertal and HC Bozen have to compete in the distance this Sunday. The motto is: A win is necessary! Even more urgent with the wolves than with the foxes.

March 24, 2024

From: fop

If Bruneck and Bolzano want to continue dreaming of the final, they have to win on foreign ice. The Foxes at least once, the HCP even twice. A look at the series status reveals why this is the case. The score between Bolzano and champions Salzburg is 1-1, the Wolves are 0-2 behind against record champions Klagenfurt.

The people of Bruneck have long since digested the bitter 1:7 at the start and showed an incredible amount of morale in their first home game. However, it wasn't enough to win again. After the 0-3 deficit at the first break, Alex Petan and Co. were able to create tension again, but nothing more. However, the clear increase in performance will give them a boost and keep the spark of hope alive among the many yellow and black fans who will make the journey to Klagenfurt, 200 kilometers away, this Sunday.

However, due to the Wolves' recent rebellion, the opponent is ahead of the duel early on Sunday evening (from 17.30:XNUMX p.m. in SportNews-Live ticker) warned. “Pustertal will certainly be as committed to work again,” says KAC crack Raphael Herburger with conviction in this video interview:

The KAC has had a 2-0 lead in a seven-game playoff confrontation 13 times in its history, only giving up the lead once. However, HC Pustertal, which will be able to field the recently suspended Ryan Stanton again on Saturday, has already made up for a 0-2 series deficit in the quarter-final series against Fehérvár. A good omen?

Where are Thomas and McClure?

While Pustertal absolutely has to deliver in the next two games to avert the sweep, the series between Bozen and Salzburg is completely even. The Bulls followed the Foxes' away coup with a 3-1 win in the Bozner Sparkasse Arena on Friday. Immediately after the defeat, Hanlon's protégés turned their attention to the upcoming away game. Also that of striker Pascal Brunner:



In any case, the new final is increasingly turning out to be a duel between the goalies - and is reminiscent of last year's seven-game series: While Bozen's Sam Harvey scored a shutout in the first meeting, Atte Tolvanen also followed up with a strong performance in game two - just one An unfortunate goal prevented his shutout. Harvey is in the semifinals with a catch rate of 93,1%, Tolvanen even with 93,6%.

Three players who could threaten Tolvanen's record were completely out Friday: Dustin Gazley, Christian Thomas and Brad McClure. While Gazley scored in game one, McClure and Thomas are still waiting for their first point in the series. HC Bozen relies on them to compensate for the absence of Daniel Frank, but primarily that of Mike Halmo. Both will be on Sunday (from 18.30 p.m. in SportNews-Live ticker) is missing again due to injury.

ICE Hockey League, 3rd semi-final game:

Klagenfurter AC – HC Pustertal (Sunday, 17.30 p.m.)
Best of 7 series: 2:0

EC Red Bull Salzburg – HCB Südtirol Alperia (Sunday, 18.30 p.m.)
Best of 7 series: 1:1