Release from 10.04.2023

Finals return to Bolzano

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Two games have already been played in the finals of the win2day ICE Hockey League and in the "best-of-7" series between the HCB Südtirol Alperia and the EC Red Bull Salzburg the score is tied 1:1. Both times the home team prevailed with 1:0. Thus, for the first time in a playoff series, two games ended with 1:0. Tomorrow, Tuesday, the series continues with final three in the Sparkasse Arena Bolzano. Free-TV partner PULS 24 will broadcasts live from 19:05.

Transfer news was announced by the BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg, where 30-year-old Kevin Macierzynski extended his contract for another season.

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win2day ICE Hockey League | 11.04.2023 | Final 3:
Tue, 11.04.2023, 19:30: HCB Südtirol Alperia - EC Red Bull Salzburg
Referees: HRONSKY, NIKOLIC K., Durmis, Nothegger. | >> PULS 24-LIVESTREAM <<
Standings in the "best-of-7" final series: 1:1
In the third final series between the HCB Südtirol Alperia and the EC Red Bull Salzburg, the score is tied 1:1 after two games for the second time. In the 2013/14 final series, Bolzano already led 2:0 after two games. In 2017/18, Bolzano won game three to take a 2:1 lead. In both series, the South Tyroleans crowned themselves champions. What was different back then, however, was that the final games all featured more goals. A 1:0 in two games of a playoff series is a novelty in the ICE Hockey League.

In both games, the forward almost always failed to score because of outstanding goalies Atte Tolvanen (RBS) and Sam Harvey (HCB). Tolvanen has a remarkable 95.2% save percentage in the playoffs, followed closely by Harvey at 94.5%.

In such a close series as the one between Bolzano and Salzburg, small things will probably make the difference in the end. Besides the goalkeepers, the special teams could also be the deciding factor. While in the playoffs both teams have outstanding stats in penalty killing (RBS 90.6% - HCB 87.9%), the Red Bulls are clearly superior in the power play. Overall, HCB has been waiting for a powerplay goal for four games now, and in nine of their 14 playoff games they failed to score a powerplay goal. In comparison, RBS remained without a PP goal in four of eleven encounters, twice most recently in the finals against Bolzano.

So far this season, there have been three encounters between the South Tyroleans and the Salzburg team at the Sparkasse Arena Bolzano. In all three duels, the home side won with just one-goal difference (1:0, 4:3, 1:0).

Macierzynski extends contract with Pioneers Vorarlberg
Kevin Macierzynski will continue to play for the BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg next season. The 30-year-old alternate captain scored eleven points in 40 games in his first season with the Pioneers. In total, the 30-year-old has already been on the ice 496 times in the ICE Hockey League.

Kevin Macierzynski: "We showed what we are capable of internationally with our fighting spirit and passion. I was very impressed by the development of the young players. I'm convinced that with the support of the fans, we can compete for playoffs."

Neo-Head Coach Dylan Stanley: "Kevin had a lot of bad luck in 2022 preparation with his injury that limited him at the beginning of the season. Despite that, he has always been an incredible leader. Kevin will continue to lead the team very well in the upcoming season. I'm confident he'll build a lot of confidence in summer training and be an impact player as a result."