Bolzano falls in Hungary! – Hockey time
Bitter defeat for Bolzano in Hungary; the Foxes must in fact leave the entire stake to the hosts and see Innsbruck (who conquered the Intercable Arena in Brunico for 3-5) return to +5 points in the standings. Perhaps the red and whites’ approach to the match was too soft, with the first period practically given to the opponents, to then react with pride in the central fraction.
The Hungarian hosts got off to a strong start immediately and, after coming close to scoring with Kuralt, Sarauer (well done Andy Bernard on this occasion to deflect a close shot) and Bartalis, found the well-deserved advantage thanks to Petan who deflected behind the goalkeeper Foxes a perfect assist from Leclerc. The advantage does not seem to quench the thirst of the hosts who continue to put the red and white rearguard under pressure, with Bernard forced into overtime to avoid further scoring. A Hungarian player collides (fortuitously?) with Bernard and a tumult ensues, at the end of which the referees send Felicetti to the penalty bench, but the Bolzano pk manages to limit the damage a lot and, back in numerical parity, the red and whites they are seen by Roy’s side with Gazley, after Halmo has regained the puck. The first numerical superiority also arrives for the Foxes, but Frattin risks ending it almost immediately for a trifle. A little less than two minutes from the siren, Halmo hits Nillson on the head, perhaps involuntarily during a charge and, after some consultations, the red and white number 91 is penalized with 5+20 and has to leave the match. With the extra man the landlords doubled thanks to Kuralt who deviated into the net from two steps away. 2-0 Fehervar at the end of the first period.
The second half begins with the Hungarians trying to score the third goal, but Hari can’t get past Bernard who blocks the shot with the pincer; the Hungarian pressure continued, but when the game returned to 5 against 5, Bolzano halved the distances: Maintained serves for Felicetti, whose shot finds Roy unprepared and the puck ends up in the back of the bag. The hosts squandered a good opportunity with Csollak and on the opposite side, Frank saw his shot blocked by Fournier; shortly after a sensational inattention by Stipsicz in the neutral zone costs the Magyars dearly: Miceli is quick to recover the puck and dash forward in attack to then serve McClure who scores the equalizer. The match goes up again: Hari and Stipsicz engage Bernard, Bolzano wastes another powerplay and the second half ends with the two teams on the score.
At the start of the third period, a question and answer between Kuralt and Gazley, who however are unable to find the net for their respective teams. A phase of confusion begins, perhaps also due to the tiredness of the players, then the hosts take the lead again thanks to Terbocs who leaves no way out for Bernard. The new advantage of the Hungarians is a blow for a Bolzano that seems to be affected by the long away game; Petan nearly finds his personal brace. In the end game the Foxes try everything, including the sixth man of movement, to try to take the game to at least overtime, but their efforts are in vain and they have to leave the ice of the Gabor-Oksay Jr. Ice Hall with a defeat which brings the red and white back to 5 points away from the victorious Innsbruck leader in Brunico.
On Tuesday evening, coach Hanlon’s boys will be back on the ice, facing the Vienna Capitals at the Steffler Arena.
Riccardo JUDGED
FEHERVAR AV19 – HC BOLZANO 3–2 (2–0; 0–2; 1–0) : 05:48 Alex Petan (1-0); 19:42 Anze Kuralt PP1 (2-0); 27:46 Leonardo FELICETTI (2-1); 32:55 Brad MCLURE (2-2); 50:27 Istvan Terbocs (3-2)