Leadership in the series

0:2! KAC trails against Salzburg

Cheers for the Red Jackets! The 3:2 by Jan Mursak was the key to victory.

(Bild: f. pessentheiner)

The KAC takes the 2:1 lead in the final series of the ICE Hockey League! After trailing 0:2 after 20 minutes, the KAC got better and better in the second period, equalized - and Jan Mursak even put Klagenfurt 3:2 in front 1:45 minutes before the break. A super save by Sebastian Dahm and a goal by Bischofberger sealed the 4:2 win.

The Red Jackets started the third final duel without Finn Van Ee, who was ill, but with the recovered captain Thomas Hundertpfund. The Bulls started with a lot of pressure in the opposing third. The result was a quick 0:1 for the Red Jackets after four minutes: Thomas Raffl hits Jan Mursak on the foot with a farmer's trick attempt - the puck slithers into the goal unstoppable for Sebastian Dahm.

Thomas Raffl brings the puck in front of the goal - Jan Mursak unfortunately puts the puck into his own net to make it 0:1.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Niki Kraus then had the first top chance for the KAC, but Tolvanen remained the winner from close range (8th). Bischofberger then missed a chance in the short corner while short-handed (17). Shortly afterwards, Bourke surprised Sebastian Dahm with a shot into the bottom right corner after a solo run from his own third - 0:2.

Haudum, Herburger and Mursak turn the game around
An early powerplay in the second period then brought the momentum back to the Klagenfurt side - it took just 23 seconds for the disc to fizz into the net after a powerful shot from Lukas Haudum into the right corner to make it 1-2 (23rd). 

Lukas Haudum (right) scored for the KAC to make it 1:2.

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Postma was dangerous with a central shot on Tolvanen (25.), after a Petersen attempt Fraser got the chance to shoot (28.), but failed again against the strong goalie of Salzburg. They were unable to get a grip on the game and hardly had any chances in the second period. Instead, the Klagenfurt ice rink began to shake - because Manuel Ganahl took a shot and Herburger deflected it with his skate to make it 2:2 (33').

And the KAC hadn't had enough: Jan Mursak turned the game around completely, giving the Red Jackets a 3:2 lead shortly before the break with a solo run from the halfway line and a great finish into the bottom right corner.

Super save from Dahm in the finish
Inspired by this super third, Klagenfurt defended cleverly in the final period and had their first great chance through Herburger (49'). Salzburg then pressed hard for the equalizer, but were not dangerous in the powerplay with 7:30 minutes to go - Klagenfurt were able to break free from the attacking pressure five times.

The best chance by Meyer was then thwarted by Sebastian Dahm with the last tip of his skate - 1:35 before the end! The KAC then pressed extremely hard in the forecheck, not allowing Tolvanen to leave his goal until 40 seconds before the end. The Red Jackets managed to hold on for the win, and even a timeout didn't help the Bulls. Bischofberger put the lid on it with the 4:2 into the empty net. In the series, this means the 2:1 lead.