For the first time in 40 games, Salzburg didn’t score – a coherent explanation for the 0:1 in ice hockey final game one was Bozen’s defensive.
A final game in ice hockey where scoring chances were scarce: That doesn’t happen often either, but that was the bitter start for Salzburg to the 2023 final series. In the first final game they lost 1-0 in Bozen on Thursday and are now up next Saturday at the home game in the Volksgarten (19.30) under a certain pressure – a 0:2 deficit against these defensive artists is difficult to make up.
So far this season, both sides have proved to be goal machines, but the old adage of defense winning titles prevailed in the final. In the home game, Bozner didn’t let themselves be disturbed by either Salzburg or the 5,600 euphoric fans and from the start they put up a defensive concept that Salzburg had a hard time with. In chess you would have called it a hanging game, in the game one of the few mistakes decided: Tyler Lewington’s pass from his own zone was intercepted by Christian Thomas, who then poked the puck into the goal on the second attempt under Atte Tolvanen – Salzburg’s defense had an effect passive.
The goal in the 14th minute was already the decision, because Bozen kept Salzburg’s offensive far away from the goal and was fighting and playful at eye level. Salzburg only had two top chances in the finish, both times initiated by Paul Huber, who showed what a big step he had taken that year: his pass to Troy Bourke did not get past keeper Sam Harvey, Huber himself narrowly missed a solo goal . That was it with Salzburg’s chances, the powerful offensive spectacle that was KAC’s undoing was not to be seen. Salzburg lost mainly because they failed to score for the first time in 40 games.
“Bolzano will see completely different and better Red Bulls on Saturday,” said Paul Huber defiantly after the defeat at the start. Christian Thomas, who marked the winning goal, also expects that. “We know Salzburg will play differently at home but we need to steal a game away from them and we can do that with such a good performance.”
After a 3:4 (3:2, 0:2, 0:0) in the seventh and decisive AHL semifinal game against Cortina, the season is over for Salzburg’s farm team.
Final ICE: 1st game:
Bolzano – RB Salzburg 1-0 (1-0, 0-0, 0-0). Goal: Thomas (14th).