The form was the same for three games EC iDM heat pumps VSV as if it had disappeared from the face of the earth, but in Game 4 of the playoffs in the win2day ICE Hockey League Villachers exploited their full potential for the first time. The result against HCB Südtirol Alperia: an impressive 6-1 home win.
The Carinthians thus shortened the best-of-7 series to 1:3. The “Adler” faces a Herculean task. Only once since 2000/01 has a team managed to turn around a 3-0 deficit. That was in 2010, when the Black Wings Linz die Vienna Capitals sent on vacation. Back then in the ranks of the losers: Villach head coach Marcel Rodman.
VSV – Bozen: Highlights
Three locks
Both teams had to make some adjustments before the game. The blocked ones were missing at Villach Maxim Hunger (3 games) and Andrew Gardens (2), the South Tyroleans had to give up Scott Valentine (1) and David Frank waive. The HCB captain is already on the mend after the dangerous Golod check.
Villach showed from the start in Game 4 that they were aware of the seriousness of the situation. Powerful forechecks, moves towards the goal, disciplined duels – this was something the Carinthians had rarely seen in the first 180 minutes of the series. The effort paid off. John Hughes (10th minute) gave the hosts the lead with a hammer shot.
Villach’s enthusiasm only lasted for a short time – more precisely, only 14 seconds: breakdown in the blue and white defense, Brad McClure (10th) immediately equalized. A few minutes later it got really loud in the town hall.
The VSV is actually outnumbered, but Kevin Hancock (16.) beautifully exploited a counter-attack opportunity to make it 2-1. The goalscorer in the break interview: “We have nothing to lose.”
Starker Lamoureux
The second period began again with a power play for the “Füchse”. Jean-Philipp Lamoureux, who played his 100th play-off game in the ICE League, was in top form. Only a short time later the bell rang on the other side: Villach’s again concentrated forecheck ended with Hughes’ second goal (29th).
Alexander Rauchenwald (34.) gave the team a comfortable three-goal lead a few minutes later. The Villach home captain ended a personal dry spell – he had not scored a goal since January 1st. “It was a real team performance today,” said Rauchwald in an interview with PULS 24 after the game.
Bolzano managed one or two pressure phases in the final section. Dustin Gazley and Co. found their master that evening in anniversary man Lamoureux (30 saves).
The one that was recently criticized a lot Blaz Tomažević (56th, 57th) finally secured the final score with a late double. Game 5 is on Monday – again in the South Tyrolean state capital.
win2day ICE Hockey League (play-offs, quarterfinals, game 4)
EC iDM heat pumps VSV – HCB Südtirol Alperia 6:1 (2:1,2:0,2:0)
Villach town hall, audience: 3,465, SR: Fichtner, Smetana, Gatol-Schfranek, Riecken
Tore:
- 1:0 (10.) Hughes
- 1:1 (10.) McClure
- 2:1 (16.) Hancock
- 3:1 (29.) Hughes
- 4:1 (34.) Rauchenwald
- 5:1 (56.) Tomažević (Empty-Net-Tor)
- 6:1 (57.) Tomažević
Stand (Best-of-7): 3:1 for Bolzano
Remaining results:
- Linz – Salzburg 2:3 (Serie: 1:3)
- Pioneers – GET UP 1:3 (Serie: 1:3)
Result from Friday:
- Pustertal – White Castle 2:1 (Serie: 2:2)
The play-offs of the win2day ICE Hockey League on free TV: PULS 24, puls24.at and JOY The fifth quarter-final duel between EC Red Bull Salzburg and Steinbach Black Wings Linz will be broadcast live on Monday, March 11th at 7:05 p.m.