Photo: 2024, Vanna Antonello
Another evening for the history of the HCB Alto Adige Alperia playoffs. The Foxes won Game 5 of the semi-final 3-2 at EC Red Bull Salzburg, thanks to a comeback thanks to a brace from Frigo and a late goal from Dylan Di Perna. A success that allows the red and whites to move ahead 3 to 2 in the series and on Saturday evening, at 6.00 pm at the Sparkasse Arena, they will be able to play their first match point. Tickets are on sale online and pre-sales will take place tomorrow, in the office, from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 18:30, then on Saturday from 11:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 in Then.
The news. Coach Glen Hanlon fields the same lineup seen in game 4, therefore giving up Valentine and Miglioranzi. Top scorer Peter Schneider makes an important return to the Red Bulls.
Salzburg tries to take control of the game in the first few minutes, creating the first big chance with Robertson, who shoots out from a good position. The home team broke the deadlock on the powerplay, at 08:14, thanks to Rymsha’s shot which crossed the traffic and passed between Harvey’s legs. The red and white reaction was not long in coming and, following an Austrian turnover, Miceli was stopped by Tolvanen, who then miraculously saved Frigo’s shot. Foxes again who try with McClure and then, in powerplay, with Ford and Teves. Shortly afterwards Tolvanen saves the result again, on Mantenuto’s two-step touch on Thomas’ play.
Bolzano is concentrated on the defensive phase in the first part of the central period, with the Red Bulls dangerous in powerplay with Schneider. As the minutes passed, the red and whites tried to react, but they had to pay attention to the Austrian breaks: a sensational chance on Nissner’s stick, which – after Harvey’s deflection – hit the crossbar squarely. The Foxes try to react with Miceli, who returns to test Tolvanen’s reflexes. However, it is still the hosts who take control of the match and Mario Huber abstains two chances in front of Harvey. At 35:27, however, here is the equalizer: nice play by Miceli, puck in front of the goal for Frigo who finds the winning deflection. It’s a good moment for the red and whites, who push and try with the extra man, but 5 seconds before the siren comes the insult: Gazley’s mistake in the attacking third, Robertson launches Mario Huber who this time doesn’t make a mistake in front of the goalkeeper and brings the hosts back ahead.
The third half is pure playoff madness. The Foxes resisted with the man less in the first few minutes, then after 9 minutes Sinn scored from the blue: the goal, however, was annulled by the referees due to clear obstruction of the goalkeeper by Rymsha. And the match turns upside down. At 49:25 Frigo invents his own play by skipping over Lewington and scoring the equalizer with his backhand. Masterpiece of the red and white assistant captain. The match then enters a stalemate phase, the Foxes waste a powerplay and Salzburg tries to become dangerous again, however crashing into Harvey, who plays a vital role on Raffl after a turnover by Halmo. At 56:57 the goal of the least expected protagonist: Di Perna lets off a shot from the blue which ends its run at the top corner. Bolzano resists the final assault of the Red Bulls and can celebrate the victory of game 5 at the siren.
EC Red Bull Salzburg – HCB Alto Adige Alperia 2 – 3 [1-0; 1-1; 0-2] – Series: 2-3
Networks: 08:14 Drake Rymsha PP1 (1-0); 35:27 Luca Frigo (1-1); 39:55 Mario Huber SH1 (2-1); 49:25 Luca Frigo (2-2); 56:57 Dylan Di Perna (2-3)
Shots on goal: 31-20
Penalty minutes: 8-8
Referees: Ofner, Piragic / Konc, Nothegger
Spectators: 3,400
