Release from 22.04.2021

Ljubljana captures match puck to win title after second OT final win

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HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana struck again in overtime. It looked promising for Migross Supermercati Asiago shortly before the end of the third period, when the yellow-reds took the lead one minute before the supposed end. But the reigning champions once again threw everything forward and fought their way into overtime, where Luka Ulamec provided the second overtime win in the second final game. Thus, Ljubljana already has the first match puck to win the title on Saturday.

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After the first final, nobody would have thought it could be even more exciting in Game 2 of the series. But the two Alps Hockey League finalists proved otherwise. HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana won again in overtime against Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey. However, they were only in this one, due to the equalizer 33 seconds before the supposed end. Asiago's leading goal in the third period came less than a minute before.

Steven McParland opened the scoring in the 15th minute of an attractive final game in powerplay. The equalizer by Tadej Cimzar followed in minute 37. From this point on, the goalies of both teams knew how to convince and fended off numerous high-caliber chances for the go-ahead goal. But Gianluca Vallini and Paavo Holsa kept their teams from falling behind. For example, in the third period, the Asiago goalkeeper remained the winner in a "1-on-1" duel with Ziga Pance - the decisive goal scorer in Final 1. Only one minute before the end, Matteo Tessari scored the leading goal for Asiago. Earlier, Daniel Matenuto missed the Ljubljana goal. The puck came over the boards to Marek Vankus, who kept full vision and crossed the puck to Tessari, who only had to net into the empty net. There was hardly any time left for the guests to equalize. Ljubljana threw everything forward for the final seconds.With six players, Aleksandar Magovac equalized with a blueliner 27 seconds before the end. It took seven minutes to decide the overtime. As on Tuesday, Ljubljana had the better end. Luka Ulamec completed a breakaway through the legs of Vallini. A block attempt by Lorenzo Casetti also narrowly missed the puck.

With two overtime wins, Ljubljana leads 2-0 in the "best-of-five" final series, giving the Slovenians match puck to win the title already on Saturday.

Alps Hockey League | Final #2 | Thursday, April 22, 2021:
Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey - HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana 2:3 OT (1:0,0:1,1:1)
Standings of the "best-of-5" final series: 0:2
Referees: LAZZERI, MOSCHEN, Bedana, De Zordo.
Goals ASH: 1:0 ASH McParland S. (14:07 / Rosa M. ,Gellert A. / PP), 2:1 ASH Tessari M. (58:57 / Vankus M. ,Mantenuto D. / EQ)
Goals HKO: 1:1 HKO Cimzar T. (36:20 / Pulli J. ,Zajc M. / PP), 2:2 HKO Magovac A. (59:33 / Music A. ,Vallerand M. / EQ), 2:3 HKO Ulamec L. (66:37 / Pesut Z. ,Pulli J. / EQ)

Foto: Vito De Romeo