Release from 25.03.2025

Linz Levels Semifinal Series | Salzburg Earns Match Pucks after Double Overtime

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The semifinal series in the win2day ICE Hockey League could hardly be more thrilling. While the Steinbach Black Wings Linz managed to even their series against EC-KAC on Tuesday night, EC Red Bull Salzburg secured match points for the finals after a dramatic double-overtime victory in front of 6,300 fans in Bolzano. Scott Kosmachuk scored the game-winning goal in the 93rd minute.

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The Steinbach Black Wings Linz and EC-KAC started the game defensively solid. Greg Moro had the first big scoring chance but missed an open net from a sharp angle. In the 15th minute, the Rotjacken struck first: Nick Petersen, who initiated the play himself, scored after a feed from Matt Fraser. Klagenfurt continued their compact defensive play in the middle frame, limiting Linz offensively. It wasn't until the final moments of the second period that the home team increased the pressure, with Brian Lebler having the best opportunity but getting denied by KAC goalie Sebastian Dahm. The hosts were eventually rewarded for their efforts in the third period when Ken Ograjensek deflected the puck in for the equalizer in the 44th minute. Shortly thereafter, the Black Wings even took the lead when Andreas Kristler scored from a tight angle. Shawn St-Amant sealed the deal five minutes before the end of regulation on the power play. Game five will take place on Friday in Klagenfurt.

HCB Südtirol Alperia and EC Red Bull Salzburg engaged in a highly intense and lengthy battle in their fourth semifinal clash in Bolzano, in front of more than 6,300 fans. Thomas Raffl silenced the home crowd temporarily in the 10th minute, as Salzburg's captain gave the reigning champions a 1-0 lead with a powerful shot. Things worsened for the Foxes in the second period when Troy Bourke extended Salzburg's lead to 2-0 in the 36th minute. However, just two minutes later, the hosts responded when Nick Saracino finished a well-executed breakaway set up by Anthony Salinitri. In a hard-fought third period, the Foxes tied the game at 2-2 on a power play in the 50th minute, with Dustin Gazley converting after some crisp puck movement. Troy Bourke had a chance to secure victory for Salzburg late in regulation but was denied by a huge save from Sam Harvey, sending the game into overtime. In the first overtime, the home team couldn't capitalize on two power-play opportunities and also had better scoring chances at even strength but couldn't beat goalie Atte Tolvanen. Finally, in the second overtime played in a three-on-three format, Scott Kosmachuk converted Salzburg's first overtime power play opportunity in the 93rd minute, securing three match points for the Red Bulls and putting them on the verge of the finals.

win2day ICE Hockey League:
Steinbach Black Wings Linz – EC-KAC 3:1 (0:1,0:0,3:0)
Referees: PIRAGIC, SMETANA, Bedynek, Riecken.
Stand in der „best-of-7“-Serie 2:2
Goals BWL: Ograjensek (44.), Kristler (51.), St-Amant (56./pp1)
Goals KAC: Petersen (15.),

HCB Südtirol Alperia – EC Red Bull Salzburg 2:3 OT (0:1,1:1,1:0)
Referees: NIKOLIC M., STERNAT, Mantovani, Nothegger.
Stand in der „best-of-7“-Serie 1:3
Goals HCB: Saracino (38.), Gazley (50./pp1)
Goals RBS: Raffl (10.), Bourke (36.), Kosmachuk (93./pp1)