Release from 13.02.2024

Ritten extends lead at the top of the AHL table

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The Rittner Buam SkyAlps celebrated a 3:1 victory at the Red Bull Hockey Juniors in Tuesday's lone Alps Hockey League game. Thanks to two powerplay goals in the final period, the South Tyroleans also won the third season meeting and extended their lead in the Masterround.

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The duel between Austrian and Italian champion went back and forth right from the start, but it took almost ten minutes before the first real opportunity arose. It was Vinzens who was unable to beat Rittner goalie Furlong from close range. Jakob Prast did much better at the other end, getting to the puck in the slot and scoring into the far corner (11:12). Shortly afterwards, the visitors had to survive a short-handed situation, which the Blue & Reds managed to do. Shortly before the end of the period, Krening's backhand shot narrowly missed the Rittner goal (18), while Quinz's finish also failed to find its way into the net (20). The South Tyroleans held on to their narrow lead after 20 minutes.

However, the Austrian AHL champions struck back in the middle third. Firstly, Salzburg were denied a goal after a quick attack (22'), before Vinzens restored the stalemate in the 26th minute. The hosts continued to be the more active team after that, which was clearly reflected in the shots on goal statistics (14:8). Ritten were too harmless in attack in the second period.

That was to change in the final period, in which the Rittner Buam SkyAlps made everything clear with a brace. Just 29 seconds into the third period, Kevin Fink poked the puck over the line on power play, while Max Coatta made it 3:1 in the 45th minute with his 24th goal of the season to clinch the game. Salzburg tried to react, even taking the goalie off the ice in the final phase - but nothing changed and Ritten also won their third clash with the Red Bull Hockey Juniors. Teemu Levijoki's team won't have to wait long for revenge, however, as Ritten and Salzburg will face off again on Thursday.

Alps Hockey League | Master Round | 13.02.2024:
Red Bull Hockey Juniors – Rittner Buam SkyAlps 1:3 (0:1, 1:0, 0:2)
Referees: KAINBERGER, MEIXNER, Pötscher, Wendner.
Goals: 0:1 Jakob Prast (11.12), 1:1 Vinzens (25.17), 1:2 Kevin Fink (40.29/PP), 1:3 Max Coatta (44.47/PP).

Photo: Max Pattis