Release from 21.03.2017
On Wednesday is played the second game-day in the semis in SKY Alps Hockey League. Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey 1935 (at HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice) and Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina Hafro (at home against the Rittner Buam) could get three matchpoints already with a win.
HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice – Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey 1935
HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice had a bad start into the semis. The Slovenes lost game one at Asiago with 1:5, after 19 seconds the „Red Steelers“ were back already 0:1. Jure Sotlar and Company took 35 shots, but were successful just once. On Wednesday follows now game two at Jesenice. At home the team of Nik Zupancic will have big support from their fans. Last time 3.500 spectators were in the arena and pushed the „Red Steelers“ forward. So it is no surprise, that the last four games between this two clubs were won by the home-club. Jure Sotlar and Co. started on Monday also in the semis in the Slovenian Championship and were on Fire, they beat Celje in front of their fans with 11:3. It looks like the Slovenes are ready for the game of the games against Asiago on Wednesday at home.
On Wednesday at Jesenice Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey 1935 has the chance to make a big step to the finals in SKY Alps Hockey League! The Italians won on Saturday also their fourth Playoff-game 2017 at home against the Red Steelers 5:1 and are leading now in the best-of-five-semifinal-series 1:0. On Wednesday follows now game 2 at Slovenia. With another win the team of Tom Barrasso could secure themselves three matchpoints already. So far in March it run perfectly for the Italians. The guests won all four (Playoff)-games this month! A key-factor could be the first goal of the game on Wednesday, because in all five clashes between this two teams was successful so far in the end, that club, that scored the first goal of the games!
In the regular season the two clubs meet twice at Jesenice: In the first ever clash at the beginning of the season Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey 1935 was successful with 3:2 - it meaned so far the only road-win between this two teams - and in the Master Round the Slovenes won at home with 3:2 after Overtime.
Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina Hafro – Rittner Buam
Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina Hafro continues to surprise! The team of Drew Omicioli won also their fourth match in the Post Season 2017 at the start of the semifinals at Rittner Buam 4:2. Riley Wilson Brace and Co. took perfect advantage from their chances, made four goals from 16 shots! Besides goalie Marco De Filippo Roia was on Fire and stopped 37 shots from the Rittner Buam. On Wednesday follows now game 2 at Cortina. With another win Drew Omicioli’s team could secure themselves already three „matchpucks“! But therefore the hosts must end their bad home-run against the Rittner Buam: The Venetier beat the Italian Champion last time at home on January 25th 2014 or already 1.151 days ago, since that day the Rittner Buam left Cortina seven times in a row as the winner…
The Rittner Buam are already under pressure on Wednesday at Cortina. The Italian Champion lost semifinals game number 1 vs. Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina Hafro 2:4 and is back in the best of five series now 0:1. The team of Riku Lehtonen fired from everywhere (39:16-shots), but could beat SGC-goalie Marco De Filippo Roja just twice. To Cortina Christian Borgatello and Co. travel with good memories on Wednesday, there they won their last seven games!
A key-factor in semifinal one were the Special Teams! Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina Hafro, that has with a percentage of 91,3 the best Penalty Killing of all semifinalists, did not allow a Power Play goal by the Ritter Buam, who have with an efficiency of 30.0% the best Power Play in the Playoffs! On the other side the SGC-players scored once in Power Play and also once shorthanded!
SKY Alps Hockey League, 2. Semifinals (best of five):
Wed, 22.03.2017: HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice (4) – Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey 1935 (3) - 18:30
Referees: VIRTA, WIDMANN, Angerer, F. Giacomozzi
Standing Best-of-five-Series, ASH – JES: 1:0
Wed, 22.03.2017: Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina Hafro (7) – Rittner Buam (1) – 20:30
Referees: LAZZERI, MOSCHEN, Basso, M. Cristeli
Standing Best-of-five-Series, RIT – SGC: 0:1
Picture: David S. Wassagruba