Release from 10.04.2026

Andreas Bernard: “Ending my career with a final is an absolute dream”

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HC Meran/o Pircher secured their first-ever final appearance on Thursday with a 3–2 away win against KHL Sisak. A major role in the victory was played by goaltender Andreas Bernard, who stopped 48 of 50 shots on goal. In the interview, the 35-year-old looks back on the dramatic semifinal series and expresses his great joy about reaching the final in his last professional season. He also looks ahead to the final series against HC Gherdeina valgardena.it and hopes that the first all–South Tyrolean final will spark a hockey boom in the region.

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Andreas, congratulations on reaching the final! How does it feel a few hours later?
Andreas Bernard: “The feeling of reaching the final is incredible. If you consider that our season was full of ups and downs. But we always believed in ourselves, and I told the team that we needed to find our game by February.”

What do you think made the difference in winning Game 7 in Sisak in that pressure-cooker atmosphere?
Andreas Bernard: “In the end, it was our fighting spirit and heart. We blocked shots and scored goals at the right moments.”

There is hardly any time to breathe: the final series starts on Saturday. How difficult is it to keep the intensity up now?
Andreas Bernard: “Yes, there is no time to rest, but in the playoffs that’s normal and often even better than having three or four days without a game. The most important thing now is to get a good start and continue working the way we have been successful so far.”

Not many expected Merano to reach the final. How surprising is this for you – and how proud are you of what you’ve achieved so far?
Andreas Bernard: “I’m very proud of my team. During the season we had games where I thought, wow, we can really play good hockey. But we lacked consistency. In the playoffs we all understood that we can only be successful if everyone pulls in the same direction and gives everything.”

In the final you will now face the derby against Gherdeina. What are your expectations for the series?
Andreas Bernard: “We had very close games against Gherdeina this season, and I expect a very tight and exciting series. In the end, small details will decide these games.”

There will also be a lot of attention from the fans – it’s fair to say that all of South Tyrol is looking forward to the first all–South Tyrolean final. You’ve experienced a lot in your career, but will this series also be one of the absolute highlights for you?
Andreas Bernard: “I expect full arenas and a great atmosphere. It would be fantastic for the hockey movement in South Tyrol if we could attract more young players to the sport. This season will definitely stay in my memory, as I already decided last summer that it would be my final season as a professional and I wanted to give everything one last time. Ending my career with a final is an absolute dream.”

In goal, you will face Claes Endre, the goaltender with the best save percentage in the playoffs. Do you think goaltending will be the deciding factor in the final?
Andreas Bernard: “In the playoffs, goaltenders always play a key role. Claes Endre has had a very strong postseason so far. But we have already faced strong goalies in both series and we know how we need to play to score goals. As I said before, small details decide games. The goals have to come at the right moment. I’m really looking forward to an exciting series against Gherdeina.”

The final series opener takes place on Saturday at 20:00 at the Meranarena, live on Valcome.tv.