Ice hockey: Salzburg is aiming for “Sweep” in Vienna
ice Hockey
Red Bull Salzburg can close the sack against the Vienna Capitals on Wednesday (7.45 p.m.) in Vienna. With another victory in the ICE Hockey League, the guests would succeed in the “sweep”, i.e. win the semi-final play-off series 4-0 to one without losing.
4:0 is also the result of the third game on Monday for Salzburg, who could of course also save energy for the final series with the earliest possible promotion. “Take it a step further and we’ll have good chances again in Vienna,” said Red Bull captain Thomas Raffl. Of course, he would also like to see the decision on Wednesday. “But it’s play-off, so it takes over 60 minutes or more very hard work from each individual player. If we do that, we can do it.”
Danjo Leonhardt also knows that the previous game means little. “We always find it a little harder in Vienna than at home, and we have to go into the game as normal there, play well third after third and then hopefully win,” said the 19-year-old striker.
Capital letters promise hard fight
Of course, the Capitals and their coach Dave Barr see it differently. “My team has a huge fighting heart. We know we can beat Salzburg if we put our best game on the ice. We have nothing left to lose now.” You have to create chances and defend better than on Monday. “Otherwise it will be our last appearance this season.”
A witch’s cauldron awaits the Salzburger. The capacity of 7,000 spectators is permitted in the Steffl Arena. There is no longer any obligation to provide evidence of the corona virus, but the fans are still not spared the FFP2 mask.
In the league since it was re-established for the 2000/01 season, there have been 28 times a 3-0 play-off lead and 17 times there has been a sweep. The trailing team only managed to climb once. The Capitals were also involved in the 2010 semi-finals, when they had to let Black Wings Linz go through to the final after a 3-0 lead.
VSV in Szekesfehervar under pressure
In the second semi-final on Wednesday (7.15 p.m.) no decision can yet have been made: Fehervar leads 2-1 against VSV, the Carinthians want to try to equalize to 2-2 in the “Best of seven” series in Szekesfehervar. VSV had won the opening game at home after extra time, but recently lost both in Hungary (3:6) and in Villach (0:4). However, head coach Rob Daum had to do without some top performers due to illness and attacks.