Ice hockey final

A Tyrolean trio competes for the championship title

Bull Mario Huber is in top form.(Bild: Kronen Zeitung)

It's the best that red-white-red ice hockey has to offer. Starting on Friday, basic round winners Klagenfurt and defending champions Salzburg will face each other in the ICE final (best of 7). Marcel Witting and Clemens Unterweger will be in action for the KAC, Mario Huber will play forward for the Bulls.

No matter who ends up lifting the "Karl Nedwed Trophy". A Tyrolean crack can call himself champion 2023/24. A trio is in the running for the coveted ICE title. For Mario Huber, it would be the third in a row with Salzburg, which no team has ever achieved before.

The KAC cracks Marcel Witting and Clemens Unterweger.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Hard work
Reaching the final was hard work for the Bulls and was secured against Bolzano in game seven on Tuesday in overtime (3:2). "The relief was huge. I think we're the only team that can take the title away from the KAC," said Huber, who has been a striker for the canned club since 2017 and is one of the leaders as assistant captain. "There's hardly anything more awesome than this final," said the 27-year-old.

Plenty of time to recover
The KAC were able to prepare for the season highlight in peace, having had a nine-day break after the sweep against Pustertal (4:0). "We had more time to recover, they are in rhythm. The first ten minutes will be interesting. Our aim is not to go into the first game rusty," explained striker Marcel Witting (28): "It will definitely be a tough, exhausting series. But you should also enjoy it."

The third Tyrolean is Clemens Unterweger, who, like Witting, was champion with Klagenfurt in 2019 and 2021. "Everyone is looking forward to finally getting started in front of their own fans," said the defender. His home fan club from Huben is ready.