Vienna Capitals are “ready” for the Salzburg double
© Sports report
The Vienna Capitals will have to deal with leaders EC Red Bull Salzburg twice in the next three days. Austria Capital club, back on a play-off ticket after yesterday’s 5-3 home win against Innsbruck, will be played tomorrow in Mozart’s city (Face-Off: 4:30 p.m.) and on Tuesday at home in the STEFFL Arena ( 7:15 p.m.), important points in the fight for a top 6 place.
Important “three points” against Innsbruck
“It certainly wasn’t in our best game, but we found a way to win it. There were three important points. We keep attacking to end up in the top 6”, Christof Kromp looks back on yesterday’s 5:3 home win against HC TWK Innsbruck. The striker, who has been with the Haie for the past two years, had two reasons to celebrate. In the 38th game for the spusu Vienna Capitals, the 24-year-old finally scored his first goal of the season. “If you don’t score a goal for a long time, then of course there’s a certain burden and there’s no self-confidence. But I just made sure that I go to the goal and put the racket in. The disc cracked. Of course, a load falls off”, i.e. Vienna’s number “37”.
Head coach Barr liked determination
The spusu Vienna Capitals were able to practically draw on the full again against the Tyroleans – after the corona virus finally left the Vienna dressing room. Except for top scorer Nicolai Meyer (playing for Denmark at the Olympic Games) and striker Brody Sutter (lower body injury), head coach Dave Barr had his entire squad at his disposal. After being 1-0 down, the Caps turned the game around with three goals in a row. Also thanks to the recovered players who were back in the line-up for the first time. “If you are forced to do nothing due to corona disease and are only allowed to sit around, then you need a little time before your speed and lightning-fast reactions on the ice come back. As the game progressed, my players, who celebrated their comeback against Innsbruck, got into better and better rhythm. We knew we weren’t going to play our best game against the Haie. I like the determination of my team. My players found a way to win the game. The three points were very important for us,” said Barr with satisfaction.
Again on a direct play-off ticket
Thanks to the third win of the season against Innsbruck, the spusu Vienna Capitals are currently sixth on a direct play-off ticket. One point against Laibach, one point against defending champion EC-KAC and now three points against the Haie. The spusu Vienna Capitals are picking up speed again. “At this stage of the season it is all the more important to collect points. But that’s only possible if we work hard and go where it hurts. The bottom line is that it’s not so important whether the points come from nice plays, it’s that they end up in our account at the end,” explains Barr.
Two duels with Salzburg within three days
With the EC Red Bull Salzburg, the superior table leader is now waiting for the capital city in the next few days – and that in a double pack. Tomorrow, Sunday, the Caps will meet the Eisbullen away from home (4:30 p.m.). On Tuesday (7:15 p.m.) the “Re-Match” will follow in the STEFFL Arena. “We definitely have to improve our playing with the puck and our defensive behavior. In my opinion we played a little too passively in defense against Innsbruck. If you give fast, technically good teams like Innsbruck too much time and space, then they take advantage of it immediately. Unfortunately, we let that happen too often against the sharks. Salzburg can be compared to Innsbruck in appearance. They also play fast, technically advanced and aggressive ice hockey. Our goal must be to improve on yesterday, to complete our moves faster. In my opinion we gained more momentum against Innsbruck as the game progressed, individual players made a step forward. But nonetheless, the team needs to improve in order to be able to keep up with top teams like Salzburg,” said Barr.
The only duel was a penalty shoot-out
Vienna and Salzburg have only once crossed rackets this season (0-1 away defeat after a penalty shoot-out). The Caps’ home game against the Eisbullen, scheduled for January 9, 2022, had to be postponed the day before the game due to medical precautions (the Capitals received Graz as substitute opponents at the time). “Everyone knows what awaits us in Salzburg. They are technically and skating good. We have to play our game, allow as little as possible at the back and then there’s a chance in Salzburg too,” said Kromp pugnaciously.
Media info Vienna Capitals
05.02.2022