Release from 17.04.2019

Ljubljana wins overtime thriller in game 5

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The HK SŽ Olimpija Ljubljana won an overtime thriller in game five of the final series of Alps Hockey League. It’s the series of turnarounds. This time the HC Pustertal had the lead till 24 seconds before the end. Having already one hand on the trophy, Kristijan Cepon brought the Slovenians in overtime. David Planko decided the game in the 62nd minute.

Alps Hockey League, final 5:
HC Pustertal – SZ Olimpija Ljubljana 2:3 (1:0, 1:0, 0:2, 0:1)
standing of the series: 3:2

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HC Pustertal – SZ Olimpija Ljubljana 2:3 (1:0, 1:0, 0:2, 0:1)
standing of the series: 3:2

The Slovenians started with a lot of pressure into the game and managed to create a couple of chances. After a couple of minutes Pustertal managed to speed the game up and create good chances. In the 12th minute Gregor Grossgasteiger opened the scoring after assist of Max Oberrauch. Only moments after the goal the Slovenians missed a big chance for the tie. After that Armin Helfer took a penalty and Ljubljana created chances in powerplay but couldn’t convert. Colin Furlong proved his reactions and kept his sheet clean in the first. The first period was played on an even level. Pustertal took the 1:0 lead into the first break. The Slovenians tried to increase pressure at the beginning of the second but Pustertal took control again quickly and created good chances. But this time it was Zan Us who prevented his team from a bigger disadvantage. In the 27th minute the game was played in four against four as Alessio Piroso and Miha Zajc got two minutes. Pustertal kept on playing smart. Marko Virtala had the 2:0 on the stick but was stopped. The wolves had one more opportunity in powerplay but couldn’t capitalize. Ljubljana tried to come back – without success. Pustertal had the bigger chances, first Tommaso Travers hit the crossbar. In the 39th minute Marko Virtala converted successfully a pass of Traversa for the 2:0. The Slovenians didn’t give up in the third period. But Pustertal did a good job in defending the lead till the 50th minute. Saso Rajsar missed the chance to narrow the gap. David Planko was more successful and scored the 1:2 in the 52nd minute. Winged by this goal the Slovenians kept on pushing. The wolves were dangerous with breakaways but focused on defending. Playing with six players on the ice Kristijan Cepon managed to push the puck over the line for the tie only 24 seconds before the end of the third period for the tie. So the fifths game of the finals had to be decided in overtime. After only one minute and two seconds of extra time, David Planko found the decision. With his second goal of the night, Planko brought his team back in the series creating the 2:3 of the best-of-seven series.

Goals PUS: 1:0 Grossgasteiger (11. Oberrauch-Gander), 2:0 M. Virtala (39. Traversa-T.Virtala)
Goal OLL: 1:2 Planko (52.), 2:2 Cepon (60. Vidmar-Koblar), 2:3 Planko (62. Rajsar)