Bolzano wins second longest game in history to prolong series

For game five of the final series in the win2day ICE Hockey League, HCB Südtirol Alperia reshuffled its lines, but relied on the same players as in Friday's 3:0 defeat. Salzburg, meanwhile, had the same line-up - and had a great chance to take the lead after just 20 seconds: Sam Harvey, however, stopped Thomas Raffl. Bolzano had a hard time, Salzburg was much more dangerous - both teams played physically, went at a high pace. And then suddenly Bolzano managed to score the opening goal: Ryan Culkin's (10th) wristshot from the blue line found the back of the net. This gave the "Foxes" a boost, a first powerplay brought two more good chances and also after that Glen Hanlon's team had their chances. Salzburg then regained its composure in the final phase of the first period.



Bolzano took the momentum into the middle period and tried to extend the lead. The South Tyrolean team continued to set offensive accents, but they were not rewarded for it. In contrast, the guests were efficient this time, Thomas Raffl (28th) made it 1:1 with a powerful shot into the short corner. Shortly before the end of the period, the home side put pressure on the power play, but the game remained tied. On the PP occasion, Bolzano struck again, Dustin Gazley (45th) restored the lead. But only 43 seconds later Troy Bourke equalized with his first goal in the final series. The game was on a knife edge, in the 53rd minute the "Foxes" took the lead for the third time: after a pass from Mitch Hults, Matt Frattin gave Salzburg goalie Atte Tolvanen no chance in a 1-on-0 situation. The home side had the victory in sight, but Salzburg took full risk. Already two minutes before the end of regulation, coach Matt McIlvane pulled his goalie for the first time. Benjamin Nissner scored the equalizer 27 seconds before the siren.



In the first overtime of the final series, the Red Bulls immediately took command and locked their opponents into the defense. Lucas Thaler and Dennis Robertson, who failed to beat Harvey again, missed the best opportunities. It went into a second overtime in which the home side became stronger. Frattin had the decision on his stick, but missed the open net. The visitors, on the other hand, could not capitalize on a power play. In the third overtime period, both teams failed to capitalize with a man advantage until Frattin scored the deciding goal. He netted in the 116th minute after a 2 on 1 situation. With the win in the second-longest game in league history, Bolzano forced a sixth final game, which will be played in Salzburg on Tuesday.

win2day ICE Hockey League, 5th final game:
Sun, 16.04.2023: HCB Südtirol Alperia - EC Red Bull Salzburg 4:3 OT (1:0, 0:1, 2:2)
Referees: NIKOLIC K., STERNAT, Nothegger, Seewald.
Goals Bolzano: Culkin (10.), Gazley (47./PP), Frattin (53., 116.)
Goals Salzburg: Raffl (28th), Bourke (47th), Nissner (60th)
Standings in the "best-of-7" final series 2:3