What a start to the final of the win2day ICE Hockey League!
Red Bull Salzburg wins the first game of the best-of-seven series at KAC 1-0 after overtime. Paul Huber became the match winner with his goal in the 65th minute.
Top chances on both sides at the start of the game
After their sweep in the semi-finals against HC Pustertal and the subsequent nine-day break, the Red Jackets start the final series with a lot of momentum, but cannot capitalize on their initial superiority.
Salzburg needs a few minutes to get into this final, but finds the first top chance with Mario Huber (9th). Dahm parries sensationally with his right guard.
Shortly before the end of the first third, the home team found their first big chances through Unterweger (15th) and Haudum (19th), but Tolvanen saved Salzburg from making it 0-0.
Defensive spectacle at the start of the final
In the second third, too, both teams were perfectly tactically prepared for their opponents – big chances to score are still in short supply. Haudum was unlucky during an advance in the 24th minute and hit the aluminum.
On the other hand, Bourke missed the lead shortly before the break in the second period – the attacker was unable to push a sharp Robertson pass over the line. Otherwise, the very structured defensive lines determine the game, and consequently the second break goes into the second break goalless.
As the third period continued, the KAC took command and missed a top opportunity to take the lead. After Murphy hip-checked Fraser’s knee, the referee team handed out a game-time penalty against the Salzburg star. However, the KAC cannot use the five-minute advantage.
Salzburg decides the crime in overtime
Instead, Salzburg find two breakaway opportunities in the form of Huber (49th) and Baltram (53rd). In the final phase, neither team takes any risks. This means that the third period of the game ends goalless. It is only the second playoff game in history that goes into overtime 0-0.
But it doesn’t take long there. After a balanced initial phase, Sinn captured the puck in the KAC zone and found Paul Huber, who was positioned in the slot, who made the decision with a powerful one-timer in the 65th minute.
This means Salzburg wins the second overtime within three days and makes it 1-0 in the final series. Game two will take place on Sunday in Salzburg (5:30 p.m. in the LIVE ticker >>>).
All EBEL/ICE champions since the league was founded in 2003/04
What do you think of this article?