Release from 10.04.2023

Riccardo Lacedelli: "In the end, the only thing that matters is who wins the series"

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After game one of the final series in the Alps Hockey League, HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice leads against finals newcomer S.G. Cortina Hafro 1:0. But Cortina was on par with the Slovenians in the first final game, lost in the end with 2:4, but Riccardo Lacedelli scored 124 seconds before the end of the third period to make it 2:3 and thus gave the Italians still hope for the turnaround. In the interview, the 27-year-old forward looks back on the first final game and also gave an outlook on the rest of the final series.

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In the first game you lost to Jesenice, but are you still confident for the rest of the series?
"Definitely. We started well because we still had the euphoria from winning game seven in Salzburg. Then Jesenice took their chances in the second period. We have to adjust to their game even better. We are coming off seven games against Salzburg, which were completely different. But we are confident. Jesenice is certainly the favorite, but we can still achieve a lot. Of course, we can't concede too many goals, because then it's difficult to recover from their system of play."

Jesenice is still unbeaten after nine playoff games. What makes them so strong?
"Jesenice has a mature, complete, physically and technically very strong team. That's what makes them so strong. Right now, the fact that they are still undefeated doesn't scare us. The final is still long and we can have a say in it. In the end, the only thing that matters is who wins the series, and so far the Slovenians have only won one game."

You needed twelve games to reach the final, Jesenice only eight. Are you guys still physically fit enough?
"There is no time to think about fatigue. The final is a special thing where you find hidden strengths. Of course, it would have been better to win game six against Salzburg to have a few more days off. But the past is the past. Now we are in the finals and also the fact that we won game seven against the Red Bulls gave us more confidence and security within our team."

How do you think the second game will go? Cortina has lost its last two games at the Stadio Olimpico.
"We can't think about those two defeats. They don't count for much and they relate to the series against Salzburg. We have always played very well at home this season. We have to get back to our home strength. Anything is possible in the playoffs.

How do you view your season in general?
"We definitely want to win the Alps Hockey League after winning the Scudetto. To have finally won the Scudetto again after so many years and now also to be in the AHL final is special for Cortina. Regardless of how the final turns out, this season marks a great starting point for hockey in Cortina."