Release from 16.04.2024

Patrick Harand: "Of course it's much nicer to become champion at home"

Short text 487 CharactersPlain text

The EC Red Bull Salzburg has its first chance to be crowned champion of the win2day ICE Hockey League for the third time in a row on Tuesday. The Red Bulls celebrated all three victories against the EC-KAC in the 2024 finals in overtime. Former professional Patrick Harand, who won four championships with Salzburg and the KAC, believes another overtime is very realistic. The former forward also explains why it is priceless to become champion at home and why he hopes for a game seven.

Press release 3089 CharactersPlain text

Patrick Harand played for the EC Red Bull Salzburg from 2004 to 2009. The now 40-year-old celebrated his first two of four championships with the Red Bulls. The Vienna native won the remaining two titles with the EC-KAC. Harand played for the Klagenfurt team from 2012 until the end of his career in 2020.

"Of course, it's much nicer to become champion at home"
Harand has twice lifted the Karl Nedwed Trophy in front of the home crowd. This is not a matter of course, as the champion have only been crowned on home ice in eight out of 22 seasons. "Of course, winning the championship at home is much nicer than away from home. I had the privilege of winning the title at home with Salzburg and the KAC. Especially the first championship title with Salzburg in 2007 was truly legendary, because it was the first title for Salzburg in history. A year later we became champion in Ljubljana and that was completely different. Of course you're very happy, but we still had a long journey home ahead of us, which of course puts a damper on things. You can celebrate directly with the fans at home, that's something special and much better than winning away from home," says Patrick Harand.


Patrick Harand after winning his last championship title with Klagenfurt.

"Overtime is very possible again"
This year, Salzburg could be crowned champions in front of their home crowd for only the second time. To do so, it needs a home win against the EC-KAC this Tuesday. The previous five finals have all been extremely close, with three going to overtime and the Red Bulls winning each time. "The KAC played very well at times and led, but Salzburg often came back and won in overtime. A final series is always nerve-wracking, it's pure adrenaline. Everyone tries to make as few mistakes as possible. That's why the games have always been very close. On Tuesday, everyone will again try to play as tactically disciplined as possible, so overtime is very possible again and I see Salzburg having the advantage in this," analyzes the current assistant coach of the U18 and U20 Austrian national team.

"I hope for a game seven"
However, should the EC-KAC prevail in Salzburg for the second time in the current series, the championship would be decided on Friday in Klagenfurt. It would be the second time in a row that the champion would be determined in a deciding game. Last season, Salzburg prevailed 2:1 in a thriller in Bolzano. Patrick Harand once experienced a final seven as a player. In 2009, wearing the EC Red Bull Salzburg kit, he lost to the EC-KAC by the narrowest of margins (1:2), and he would be looking forward to a game seven again this year: "I don't have a favorite for the title, but I hope for a game seven. It's simply something very special for every hockey player and fan, especially if you win the deciding game."

Whether the EC Red Bull Salzburg will become champion for the third time in a row on Tuesday or the EC-KAC will force a game seven can be seen live on PULS24 from 19:05.