Salzburg takes the lead in final series

The game at Volksgarten was a mere 119 seconds when Peter Hochkofler opened the scoring for Salzburg. A few minutes later, the Red Bulls conceded two consecutive penalties. After Alexander Egger and Matt Tomassoni both only hit the post, Dominic Monardo beat Salzburg goalie Bernahrd Starkbaum for the equalizer. With two minutes to go in the first, Ryan Duncan's shot found the back of the net for another home lead. The Red Bulls had the better of the paly early in the second but Bolzano tied it again. Coming straight from the penalty box, Robin Gardner kept the nerves - 2:2. Soon later the game's story continued once again. Only 59 seconds after Ryan Duncan's second of the night, Chris DeSousa finished a breakaway for a third equalizer. In the third Bolzano took the lead from scratch when DeSousa deflected a Tomassoni shot successfully. While Salzburg was shocked, Bolzano's Travis Oleksuk came close to score another goal when hitting the post. With three minutes to go HCB received two penalties and Salzburg took advantage of it. Bobby Raymond and Harris turned the game around for a 5:4 Salzburg lead but it was not over yet. After John Hughes missed the empty net, Mike Halmo sent it to overtime after a great solo effort. In the extra session, the visitors failed to score on a power play occasion. Brant Harris became the hero in 76th minute when he scored on a wraparound for Salzburg's first lead in the series.

 

Referees: LEMELIN/SMETANA, 3.400 spectators

Goals RBS: Hochkofler (2.), Duncan (18., 38./pp), Raymond (58./pp2), Harris (59./pp, 76.)

Goals HCB: Monardo (8./pp2), Gartner (28.), DeSousa (39./sh, 45.), Halmo (60.)

Score in the “best-of-seven” series, RBS – HCB: 3:2