Ice Hockey League

4:1 in Bolzano! Salzburg forces semi-final showdown

Jubilation for the Salzburg team(Bild: GEPA)

Red Bull Salzburg has forced a deciding game in the ICE Hockey League semi-final against HCB Südtirol with an away win in Bolzano! The defending champions equalized the series on Saturday with a 4:1 win to make it 3:3 and will have home advantage in the showdown for a place in the final on Tuesday (7.30 pm). The team from Bolzano missed the chance to take revenge on home ice for last year's defeat in the final against Salzburg. For their part, the "Bulls" kept their chance of winning their third championship title in a row alive. 

Bolzano made a brisk start to the sixth duel in the sold-out home arena with 6900 fans. However, the first goal was scored by the visitors, who were more composed for long stretches. Benjamin Nissner successfully finished off a perfect combination from close range in the fifth minute. After great chances on both sides and a shot off the bar by the home side, Salzburg went into the first break with a 1-0 lead. Shortly after the restart and the expiry of a Bolzano penalty, Dustin Gazley (21) equalized.

As in the previous year, game 7
However, Salzburg struck back during an extended period of pressure from their opponents with Florian Baltram (27) making it 2:1. Bolzano kept the pressure on, but missed too many opportunities, including a 5:3 overtime. At the same time, Salzburg defended their narrow lead very skillfully. In the final period, the defending champions took advantage of an overtime situation in spectacular fashion, with Peter Schneider (43) converting a one-two pass with a direct shot to make it 3:1.

The champions did not let this advantage slip away thanks to their clever play, with captain Thomas Raffl scoring an empty-net goal in the final minute to make it 4:1. As in the final of the previous season, the two rivals will now play a seventh game. A year ago, Salzburg had the better end in Bolzano with a 2:1 victory. Their opponents in the battle for another title would be the KAC, who had dispatched Pustertal 4-0.