Release from 17.04.2023

Salzburg makes second attempt for the title

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EC Red Bull Salzburg has the opportunity to defend its win2day ICE Hockey League title in front of a home crowd on Tuesday. The Salzburg side, who won their last 18 home games, has a 3:2 lead in the "best-of-7" series against HCB Südtirol Alperia. Both final series between the two teams that have already been completed went the full distance, with the Bolzano team prevailing on each occasion.

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win2day ICE Hockey League, 6th final game:
Tue, 18.04.2023, 19:30: EC Red Bull Salzburg - HCB Südtirol Alperia
Referees: HRONSKY, M. NIKOLIC, Konc, Seewald | >> Free livestream <<
Standings in the "best-of-7" series 3:2

Nothing for weak nerves was the fifth final game of the win2day ICE Hockey League on Sunday in Bolzano. The home side stayed alive with a win in the second-longest match in league history. In the 116th minute, Matt Frattin provided the decider with his second goal of the night.



Head coach Glen Hanlon's team scored more goals in the 4:3 win than they had in the previous four finals (2) and also netted on the power play again. After the last-minute equalizer, the Red Bulls missed a great chance to defend their title, especially in the first overtime. Now coach Matt McIlvane's team can win the series at home. Out of seven championship titles so far, the Red Bulls have only been able to celebrate one (2007 against Villach) on their own ice.

Both final series between Salzburg and Bolzano went the full distance, with the South Tyroleans securing the title in each case. In 2018, the "Foxes" prevailed in the seventh game on Salzburg ice - it was also the last time that the final series was decided at the latest possible moment. After six games, the KAC last crowned itself champion in 2019 against Vienna.

The Red Bulls have been strong at home in recent months. They won the last 18 games at the Eisarena Salzburg. The team around captain Thomas Raffl suffered its last defeat in mid-December against Graz. Bolzano was able to win the first duel in Salzburg this season, but the Red Bulls kept the upper hand in the other three encounters. On Tuesday, a lot could again depend on the first goal: In all five final games, the team that took the lead won.