Third victory

Ice Bulls in scoring mood against Pustertal

Troy Bourke (right) and the Eisbullen beat Pustertal.

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

The Bulls gave away a 3:1 lead and were then on the ropes.But four goals ensured a 7:3 victory. The home vest continues to shine white.

Defending champions Salzburg have also won their third home game of the season in the ICE Hockey League. In an early game of the 29th round, the Bulls defeated HC Pustertal 7:3 on Wednesday.

The first half of regulation time had only just been played when the Ice Bulls were back in the game, having squandered a 3:1 lead. In a middle third in which the David crew let the game slip out of their hands, Pustertal had also found its stride better. Two puck losses in Salzburg's third by Rowe and Bourke gave the visitors the opportunity to tie the game at 3:3, and Petan gave them another one-on-one with the strong goalie Tolvanen. The game of the champions, who also had Genoway fit and were thus able to play from full strength apart from long-term absentee Baltram, was great to watch in the opening period. Bourke, served by returning Thaler, Kraus with his first league goal in a Bulls uniform and Schneider on the powerplay had their sights set very well. The interim 1:1 - while short-handed - was a minor blemish.

The visitors initially had the best chances in the final third. Before the Bulls' work picked up speed again. Schneider scored the all-important 4:3, and then they went one better: Hochkofler, who was also celebrated for the short fight against Lacroix, Thaler and Robertson. 7:3 - the Bulls still have the white home vest on. "We made stupid mistakes in the second period, but were then able to impose our game on them again," said a delighted Niki Kraus, "the win at the end of the day was even better than my goal." For coach Oliver David, the start was outstanding, "but the middle third was the complete opposite". That's why the video study today in the Ländle already says: "It won't be a highlight show, we have to see what we can improve."

Also let their fists do the talking: Lacroix and Hochkofler (right).

(Bild: GEPA/GEPA pictures)

Ice hockey data

RED BULL SALZBURG - PUSTERTAL 7:3 (3:1, 0:2, 4:0). 1:0 (6.) Bourke, 1:1 (11.) Lacroix (PP), 2:1 (14.) Kraus, 3:1 (20.) Schneider (PP), 3:2 (22.) Bouramman, 3:3 (34.) Akeson, 4:3 (50.) Schneider, 5:3 (55.) Hochkofler (PP), 6:3 (55,) Thaler, 7:3 (59.) Robertson (PP). Bulls: Tolvanen; Murphy, Robertson; Lewington, Genoway; Nienhuis, Stapelfeldt; Sinn; Schneider, Nissner, T. Raffl; M. Huber, Rowe, Krening; Thaler, Bourke, Wukovits; Hochkofler, Auer, Kraus; Schreier. - Ice arena, 1879, Huber/K. Nikolic.

FRIDAY: Pioneers Vorarlberg - RB Salzburg (19.30), Vienna Caps - Fehervar, KAC - Graz, Innsbruck - Ljubljana (all 19.15), Pustertal - Linz (19.45), Bolzano - Asiago (20.30).

Alps Hockey League
Zell's Polar Bears want to return to winning ways today at home against Celje after two away defeats. Members of blue light organizations have free admission. The Red Bull Juniors attack in the Ritten Arena.

Alps Hockey League

THURSDAY: EK Zeller Eisbären - Celje (19.30), Ritten - RB Juniors (20), Kitzbühel - Bregenzerwald (19), Gröden - Unterland Cavaliers, Cortina - Wipptal Broncos (both 20.30).