Release from 23.04.2021

AHL Final 3: Ljubljana with chance to win title

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After two hard-fought overtime victories, HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana has a chance to win the Alps Hockey League title on Saturday at its home rink. The Slovenians would be the first team to succeed in defending the title. Migross Supermercati Asiago twice came within a whisker of victory and now have their backs against the wall.

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Alps Hockey League Final, Game 3, April 24, 2021:
HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana - Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey 8:00 p.m.
>> LIVESTREAM
Referees: LESNIAK, MOSCHEN, Snoj, Weiss

The two finalists delivered an incredible final series so far. HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana leads 2:0 - but the first two games could hardly have been more exciting. In the first final duel, Asiago managed to catch up in the final period, but the yellow-reds then had to admit defeat in overtime. Ziga Pance scored the winning goal in the 67th minute with a deflection. The second final game was even more exciting. Asiago looked like a sure winner after Alessandro Tessari scored 63 seconds before the end, but Aleksandar Magovac equalized 36 seconds later with a blueliner. Again the decision was made in the 67th minute, but again for the Slovenians. Luka Ulamec completed a breakaway through the legs of Gianluca Vallini. A block attempt by Lorenzo Casetti also narrowly missed the puck. This gives Ljubljana a chance to become the first team in AHL history to defend the title.

Ljubljana had to go overtime twice in their last title win as well. At that time they could only win one of the two overtimes. There have never been more than two overtimes in an Alps Hockey League final series. For Asiago it was already the fourth overtime in this postseason. Also against Jesenice the Yellow-Red had to go into overtime twice and also in this series no success in overtime was achieved. All six of Asiago's other playoff games that did not go into overtime were won by the team from Veneto.

Playoff top scorer Alex Frei (eight goals in as many games) may still be missing Asiago in the third final game.

Foto: Vito de Romeo