Salzburg after sweep in the final, Villach in distress – ICEHL
Salzburg is in the final. © APA/EXPA/FLORIAN SCHROETTER
Red Bull Salzburg is in the final of the ICE Hockey League after an away fixed sweep against the Vienna Capitals. At the same time, Fehervar got three match pucks.
March 30, 2022
From: apa
Salzburg defeated Vienna 5-1 on Wednesday, giving the title favorites a 4-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. In the other semi-final, VSV has its back to the wall. The Carinthians are 1:3 behind due to a 4:5 after extra time in Fehervar. The Hungarians can fix the well-known entry into the final in Villach on Friday.
Salzburg, on the other hand, progressed as quickly as possible against Znojmo, as they did in the first playoff round. The Bulls will be fighting for their first title since 2016 on Tuesday next week at the earliest. They last made it to the final four years ago, when they lost to HC Bozen.
Salzburg didn’t let anything burn
The Capitals, who were severely weakened by corona replacements at the beginning of the series, were ultimately powerless in front of their own audience, despite an increase compared to the 0: 4 on Monday. Although they took the lead in front of 3,800 fans in the 16th minute through Matt Prapavessis after some ugly foul scenes that left both sides injured, the overweight goal was to be the only goal.
Nikolaus Hartl and Dominique Heinrich in a duel. © APA/EXPA/FLORIAN SCHROETTER
Salzburg equalized before the first break through TJ Brennan (19′). The 2:1 of the guests resulted from a power play with five Austrian field players on the ice, the former Caps player Ali Wukovits (26th) was successful in the margin. Shortly before the end of the middle section, Peter Schneider, another ex-Vienna player, made it 3-1. The fourth Salzburg goal by Brian Lebler (43rd) means the final decision. Captain Thomas Raffl (55th) increased to 5:1.
Fehervar before entering the final
Due to the exit of the Capitals, who failed in the semi-finals at Bozen last year, Fehervar is the third ICE representative in the next Champions League season after Salzburg and Villach. For the Hungarians it will be the likely CHL participation.
Things are also looking up for the Hungarian attempts at their ICE semi-final premiere. Against the weakened VSV, who, in addition to Jamie Fraser and Brett Flemming, also had to play the sick John Hughes, Fehervar initially ran like clockwork in front of 3,000 fans. Because they are already 3-0 up after 15 minutes. Renars Krastenbergs (18th) kept the damage for VSV within limits with the 1: 3 in the first third.
Fehervar will reach the final for the first time. © Soós Attila (Hydro Fehérvár AV19)
A double strike from Derek Joslin and Krastenberg again in the 29th minute even equalized. The Carinthian also had a late answer to the renewed lead of the Hungarians, Rick Schofield made it 4:4 in the penultimate minute, which went into overtime. In this case, however, the hosts had the better end for themselves, Janos Hari let the Hungarians cheer in the third minute of extra time.