Zell am See with late winning goal to take series lead

Jesenice got off to the better start in the third final. After 17 goalless minutes, Eric Svetina put the visitors ahead after a nice combination with Nejc Brus. In the 23rd minute, the Slovenians even increased the lead to 2:0 through Jack Lyons, who confidently scored after a strong individual action. But after that, the home side took command in front of 2,539 enthusiastic fans. In the 32nd minute, it was Hubert Berger who reduced the deficit to 1:2 with a precise shot into the short corner of the net. The “Polar Bears” even managed to equalize in the second period through Matt McLeod.

It went into the final period with a 2:2. However, it only took 94 seconds for Jesenice to take the lead again: Martin Bohinc initially failed to beat EKZ goalkeeper Max Zimmermann with a wraparound attempt, but Jasa Jenko converted the follow-up to make it 3:2. However, as before, the home side got back into the game. In the 53rd minute, Christian Jennes scored an artistic goal to equalize at 3:3. Both teams then created a few more top chances, but everything pointed to the first overtime of the final series - until the game was decided 76 seconds before the end: Aljaz Predan netted to make it 4:3 and give Zell am See the lead for the first time in this game. Jesenice had no answer to this and are now under pressure in front of their home crowd on Sunday - a win is a must to prevent match pucks for the “Polar Bears”.

Alps Hockey League, 10.04.2025
EK Die Zeller Eisbären – SIJ Acroni Jesenice 4:3 (0:1, 2:1, 2:1)
Standings in the „Best-of-Seven“ series: 2:1
Goals EKZ: 1:2 Berger H. (32./PP1), 2:2 McLeod M. (37.), 3:3 Jennes C. (53.), 4:3 Predan A. (59.)
Goals JES: 0:1 Svetina E. (18.), 0:2 Lyons J. (23.), 2:3 Jenko J. (42.)