In the semi-finals

Eisbullen send Linz on vacation with a 5:1 win

Celebration for the Bulls: Genoway, Wukovits and Mario Huber (from left) are in the semi-finals.

(Bild: Kronen Zeitung)

The first match puck was on target: Red Bull Salzburg first had to fear goalie Tolvanen, then nothing. With a 5:1 victory like the team from Bolzano in the semi-finals of the ICE Hockey League.

The Ice Bulls did not score the first goal of the game after eight seconds, as they did in Linz. This time it was 1:0 after just over four minutes on the powerplay through Bourke (coming from behind the net), although Linz had the better chances - thanks to goalie Tolvanen and the visitors' inability to finish!

Before Meyer worked his magic with his first goal of the play-offs, taking a clear shot from behind the extended goal line and making keeper Tirronen look very bad. The 3:0 of the champions, who got a better and better grip on the game, was also durable. Result at the end of four minutes of power play: Mario Huber was on hand after a remarkable combination - and Salzburg's Höneckl trudged into the visitors' goal for Tirronen. The Linz team's faces grew longer and longer, especially as Mario Huber scored immediately after the 1:4.

Tolvanen gave us the chance to win the game with his brilliant saves

Coach Oliver David

"Tolvanen gave us the chance to win the game with his brilliant saves," said coach Oliver David, underlining the decisive opening phase. "We weren't satisfied with the opening period, it certainly wasn't as easy as the 5:1 makes it look," emphasized goal scorer Benji Nissner, who is hoping for a few days off. The semi-final does not start until a week from today. The opponent is still open.

KAC came under the wheels
The first candidate is Fehervar (leading the series 3:2 against Pustertal). But KAC still has to do its thing. After the home defeat against Vorarlberg (1:6), they are only 3:2 ahead of Wednesday's game. Bolzano closed the bag, winning 2:1 at home - for Villach the season is over.