Goal in overtime

0:0! KAC and Salzburg start with a lot of momentum

Both defensive lines stood firm in the first 60 minutes.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Match winner for Salzburg: Paul Huber.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Clear the ring for the ice hockey league final! The teams put up a tough fight in the opener in Klagenfurt, but created few big chances. The teams neutralized each other for long stretches, which is why the game went into extra time for the first time with a 0-0 draw. Salzburg prevailed there - Paul Huber gave his team the 1:0.

There was little sign of the "rust" after nine days without a game for the KAC in the first few minutes. The Red Jackets pushed the pace in the first few minutes, storming towards Salzburg's goal time and again - but to no avail. Things got dicey for the first time in the ninth minute, but goalkeeper Dahm defused a solo shot from Salzburg's Bourke. At the other end, Herburger failed twice in front of goalie Tolvanen (10th, 14th). The Salzburg goalie then saved a Unterweger hammer in the first powerplay. And the visitors were also allowed to play in overtime shortly before the end of the period, but Klagenfurt had the chance again: Bischofberger and Haudum counter-attacked, but the latter only hit the crossbar. 

KAC defender Clemens Unterweger in a duel with Salzburg's Peter Hochkofler.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Still no goals
The teams neutralized each other in the first ten minutes of the second period - KAC kept pushing the pace, but the Bulls stood firm defensively. Petersen shot wide of the goal from a tight angle during a spell of pressure (33') and Bourke missed the puck at the second post shortly before the break. In Salzburg's powerplay shortly afterwards, Kraus and Co. defended brilliantly and so the score remained 0-0 after 40 minutes.

Matt Fraser remained on the ice injured.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Five minutes of powerplay
In the final period, it remained a tight battle at eye level, with neither team wanting to risk too much - the focus remained on defense. Things got rough for the first time in minute 49: Salzburg's Murphy cleared KAC ace Fraser with a hip check to the knee and the Klagenfurt player had to be taken off the ice. The game was over for the Bulls defenseman with a game time penalty. There was also little danger in the following five-minute powerplay (Fraser also returned) - on the contrary: Salzburg's Baltram went alone towards the KAC goal but was stopped by Postma. That's why the first final hit went straight into overtime.

Huber scores for Salzburg
And it was the KAC who pressed first and had the best chance to win through Mursak. Salzburg first became dangerous through Robertson, then Paul Huber shot right into the heart of the Red Jackets - and his Salzburg team also took the lead in the series with the decisive 1:0.