What's going on at HC Bozen?

The almost 2.600 spectators exercised patience and forbearance in the ice wave on Thursday evening. Whistles could hardly be heard in the wide area, despite the sometimes indisputable performance of some players in the 3:6 against Klagenfurt. On the contrary: the men on the ice were pushed forward until the final minute. The mood in the Bolzano ice stadium could soon change if something fundamental doesn't change in the Foxes' performances.

There is a problem with the team structure Now, of all times, when the “fifth season” is just around the corner, a whole series of construction sites are evident at the HCB: Some top performers, especially the supposed top performers Glen Metropolit, Mikko Luoma and Clark Seymour, are miles away from their best form or are through Injuries slowed (Luoma, Travis Oleksuk, Nick Palmieri); Goalie Marcel Melichercik, who is often left alone, has also played better games; The opposing attacking blocks have always had an easy time of late against unfocused and slow-moving HCB defensive players. The biggest shortcoming, however, is quickly identified: the Bolzano team lacks cohesion. There is no other explanation for the fact that total failures within our own ranks are not compensated for and are not absorbed by the remaining squad players. The common slogan “all for one, one for all” seems alien to the HCB players, especially some foreign cracks. The much-cited winning gene that has distinguished HC Bozen for years and led to the EBEL championship title three years ago has apparently been lost.

Now it's up to Coach Tom Pokel to turn things around. Equipped with the continued support of the club's management, he must manage to mend the cracks in the team structure and form a tight-knit unit. However, after recent controversial personnel decisions, the experienced American seems to have lost the trust of his own protégés. These conclusions can be drawn from the previous intermediate round games.

The moment of truth arrives in Klagenfurt

“We have to act as a team and follow the coaches’ instructions, then success will come back, otherwise it will be difficult,” says Alexander Egger. The HCB captain and his teammates can take a significant step out of the crisis on Saturday in the return game against Klagenfurt AC. Even though the all-important fourth place is a long way off, the duel in the exhibition stadium on Lake Wörthersee is of enormous importance. The HCB has the chance to show its true colors and reward the fans who traveled with them for their endurance over the past few weeks.

The EBEL games from Saturday, February 4th: Lubljana - Dornbirn (16.15 p.m.) Znojmo - Fehervar (17.30 p.m.) Klagenfurt - Bolzano (19.15 p.m.) Linz - Innsbruck (19.15 p.m.) Vienna - Salzburg (19.30 p.m.)

The charts:

Pick Round 1. EC Red Bull Salzburg 15 points 2. UPC Vienna Capitals 13 3. EHC Liwest Black Wings Linz 11 4. EC Klagenfurter AC 9 5. HC TWK Innsbruck 'Die Haie' 6 6. HCB South Tyrol Alperia 4

Qualification Round 1. Moser Medical Graz99ers 16 points 2. HC Orli Znojmo 11 3. EC Villacher SV 9 4. Fehervar AV 8 5. HDD Olimpija Ljubljana 7 6. Dornbiner EC 7

SN/Alexander Foppa

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What's going on at HC Bozen?

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