Will the HCB become champions? That's what the former greats say

HCB Südtirol Alperia is still missing a win to win its third title in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL), which was called Erste Bank Eishockey (EBEL) until the 3/2019 season. In 20 and 2014, the opponent was Red Bull Salzburg, just like in this year's final series. Both times the “Füchse” snatched the title away from the “Red Bulls” in the last and all-important game. Tomorrow evening the South Tyroleans want to make history again.

Some of the main actors in the Bolzano success fairytale still fondly remember Game 5 in 2014 and Game 7 in 2018. And they trust their former team to pull off another big hit in tomorrow's 7th duel against Salzburg.

Günther Hell (EBEL champion 2014): “The memories of that time are still present in me. Especially because the opponent is the same and the decision is only made in the last possible game. I watched several games in the stadium and see several parallels between 2014 and 2023. 9 years ago we were gross underdogs. This time the Bolzano team is, in my opinion, more complete and more technical. I have rarely seen such great offensive potential at HCB as this year. The whole city is upside down again and ice hockey is on everyone's lips. Bolzano is and remains Hockeytown. The atmosphere in the team has to be right, because not many people can come back like this. I see the HCB, which now has great momentum on its side, at an advantage and rate the chances at 55:45. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the team, even if I can't be there because I'm out of the country.”

Markus Gander (EBEL champion 2014 and 2018): “We started our first EBEL season in autumn 2013 with very low expectations and were labeled as cannon fodder in many places. Everyone knows how it ended. Everything came together in the 1th game in Salzburg. It was not for the faint of heart and was only decided in extra time. For me it is the greatest success to date. In 5, I was out of action during the crucial phase due to a jaw injury and was unable to intervene. I was there in the 2018th game in Salzburg, was excited and was more nervous than if I had played. I've actually seen every game recently and I believe the HCB will win the pot again, even if I have to say that Salzburg was the better team for long stretches. In game 7, my former team showed their class. I would be happy if the title worked again. I had a great time in Bolzano and still have a lot of friends on the team.”

Stefan Zisser (EBEL champion 2018): “The fifth game was a new experience for me. I've never played a playoff in the final before and never felt such pressure. Before the game started, each of us knew that we would either leave the ice as winners or as losers. It was a special title for all of us that we will never forget. When extra time went into this year's 5th final game, memories of overtime in Salzburg came back to life. On Sunday afternoon I would have said that Salzburg would be champions. Now the situation looks completely different. I trust Bolzano to do anything. It has been Salzburg's feared opponent since 5 at the latest, and they have recently been quite prone to errors. I'll be in Bled on Friday at 2018 p.m. for Italy's friendly against Slovenia and then I'll go straight to Bolzano in the hope that I'll be able to see something of the game."

<a data-caption="Das sind 8 der 9 Südtiroler Spieler, die am 13. April 2014 mit dem HCB Südtirol im Salzburger Volksgarten den EBEl-Meistertitel gewonnen haben. Hinten von links: Peter Wunderer, Markus Gander, Daniel Frank und Alexander Egger; vorne von links: Günther Hell, Stefan Zisser, Anton Bernard und Marco Insam. Auf dem Foto fehlt Hannes Oberdörfer." data-fancybox="inline-155312" target="_image" href="https://s3-images.sportnews.bz/_images/scale/1280x1280/img/2023/04/das-sind-8-der-9-suedtiroler-spieler-die-am-13-april-2014-mit-dem-hcb-suedtirol-im-salzburger-volksgarten-den-ebel-meistertitel-gewonnen-haben-hinte.jpg"> These are 8 of the 9 South Tyrolean players who won the EBEl championship title with HCB Südtirol in Salzburg's Volksgarten on April 13, 2014. Back from left: Peter Wunderer, Markus Gander, Daniel Frank and Alexander Egger; front from left: Günther Hell, Stefan Zisser, Anton Bernard and Marco Insam. Hannes Oberdörfer is missing from the photo.

Hannes Oberdörfer (EBEL champion 2014): “In 2014, I watched the fifth final game together with Daniel Frank next to the players’ bench. I blew up the AC joint in my shoulder in the 5th game. I was more nervous than my colleagues on the ice. The next day I had an operation in the Merano hospital and the next day - pumped full of painkillers - I went to the championship celebration on Waltherplatz in Bolzano. The title was the biggest thing for me. I always like to remember the team back then. We had a great group. This year I saw all the finals and never imagined that Bolzano would fight back from a 4-1 series deficit. But it's not finished yet. I certainly don’t rule out a third Bolzano title win against Salzburg.”

Daniel Glira (EBEL champion 2018): “The 2018 final series was very special. Game 7 topped everything again. We first had to win Game 6 to extend the series. We then went to Salzburg with the conviction that we would win the title. I can still remember the decisive game as if it were yesterday. A game 7 is the ultimate feeling that you dreamed of as a child. Some of my colleagues from back then like Daniel Frank, Luca Frigo, Angelo Miceli and Mike Halmo are still there today. And I would be happy with all my heart if they could do it again. Before the 6th game I was convinced that Salzburg would make it. Now there are a lot of signs pointing to Bolzano. I expect a close game and don’t rule out the possibility that the HCB will become champions again.”

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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Will the HCB become champions? That's what the former greats say

On Friday (from 19.30:7 p.m.) the all-important Game XNUMX will take place in the playoff final of the ICE Hockey League between HCB Südtirol Alperia and EC Red Bull Salzburg. We asked former HCB players about their tips.

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