ICE Hockey League

Eisbullen travel to Bolzano with a broad chest

Want to impress again in Bolzano: Wukovits (left) and Paul Huber.

(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Valentina Gallina)

Champions Salzburg want to use the momentum after a magical night in the ice arena in Bolzano. Defenseman Stapelfeldt liked the "unbelievable arena".No comeback yet for top scorer Schneider.

If only a few Bulls are running their circles on the arena ice in the Volksgarten at the usual training time, the only explanation is that the play-offs are a matter of getting down to business.

"Whether it's on the ice, in the weight room or undergoing treatment with the physios. Everyone knows what's best for them right now," explained Paul Stapelfeldt after his short ice shift. The 1.96-metre tall has established himself as the sixth defenceman this season and can therefore also flourish in the fifth season. As the only native of Salzburg, now that there is no room for all-rounder Schreier in the line-up.

We travel to Bolzano with a broad chest, but we know that we are still two wins short of reaching the final

Paul Stapelfeldt

Stapelfeldt is still raving about Sunday's Ice Bulls hussar ride from 0:3 after the opening period to 4:0 in the middle period to a 4:3 victory: "The arena was incredible, the fans were right behind us." It was a magical night in the sold-out ice arena. It was the first time the Bulls conceded a 0:3 at home in the play-offs, while the away games - in Vienna (semi-final 2013) and Dornbirn (quarter-final '21) - did not have a happy ending. Sunday's match clearly brought the momentum back to the David squad, who were already back on the bus on Monday. "We're going to Bolzano with a broad chest, but we know that we're still two wins away from reaching the final," emphasized Stapelfeldt before setting off.

KAC already has match pucks
Schneider still has to wait for his comeback. The South Tyroleans are also longing for reinforcements from the infirmary - Halmo, Frank and Valentine have been missing recently. While the Bulls have semi-final game five at home on Thursday, the KAC already have their first match puck today at Pustertal and can thus seal the deal. The RB Juniors have game four of the Alps Hockey League semi-final against Cortina in front of them: today they aim to make it 3-1 in the series at home.