With the win, the Innsbruckers score important points in the fight for the playoffs and improve from eleventh to ninth place. Salzburg’s impressive streak of 18 games in a row, in which they pick up at least one point, ended in defeat at the Tiwag Arena.

Ex-Salzburger Feldner scores

The cops got off to a better start in the party. Thomas Raffl has the lead on the racket after two minutes, but fails alone in front of Innsbruck goalie Tom McCollum. But the Haie don’t hide in the early stages either, go into intense duels and work out a few deals. The penalty shoot-out works as well and so the first power play of the guests hardly brings any goal scenes with it. In the 12th minute, Innsbruck rewarded themselves for a good first third: Ex-Salzburger Nico Feldner scored a one-timer after a pass from Daniel Leavens to make it 1-0.

The sharks also set the tone in the episode. Salzburg goalkeeper JP Lamoureux prevented his team from falling behind after the first half with a number of strong saves.

Innsbruck, Salzburg shortened

The second third started with a power play for the home side, but it didn’t bring anything. As a result, Salzburg got back into the game a little better, but the offensive around Raffl, Schneider and Co., who scored more than three times per game on average, owed a lot.

The underdog from Innsbruck, on the other hand, continues to act courageously and scores to make it 2-0 when outnumbered: A few seconds after the end of a four-on-four situation, Michael Huntebrinker served Ben Betker well and he ended in front of goalie Lamoureux (35th).

However, the Bulls did not give up and, as it were, scored a goal in return. Peter Schneider hits the cross corner with a one-timer (36′, PP). On the other hand, in the best phase of the game, Lamoureux saves with another big save against Huntebrinker. The Haie go into the second break with a 2-1 lead.

Sourdough demonstrates top form

In the 47th minute, however, Lamoureux is beaten: Daniel Leavens defeats the goalie with a solid shot and – after his three goals in the last game against Ljubljana – also scores against Salzburg. It should have been the preliminary decision. Frustration is noticeable among the guests as a result: Captain Thomas Raffl receives a two-minute penalty after a hard setback (50th).

Salzburg struggles and takes goalie Lamoureux off the ice two minutes before the end. After a penalty against Messner, towards the end there is even a double advantage (6 vs. 4), but you can no longer capitalize on it. Innsbruck brings the 3:1 victory over time.

After the temporary victory in the fight for the playoffs, the Innsbruckers travel full of self-confidence to the next away game in Pustertal, which is already on Sunday (4:30 p.m.). Also on Sunday, at 4:30 p.m., Salzburg are trying to make amends in the top game against KAC.

The voices of the game