BOLZANO. Second consecutive victory for the HCB Alto Adige Alperia, which at Palaonda beat the HC TIWAG Innsbruck by 3 to 0. Match never in question, with the Foxes for long stretches masters of the ice: among the protagonists Mike Halmo, author of a brace, and Kevin Boyle, in his second shutout of the season with 23 saves.
The Time.news. Coach Greg Ireland features the same lineup seen against Dornbirn. Out of the injured Pitschieler and Di Perna, by turnover.
Foxes starting well and immediately producing three great chances, with Catenacci, Findlay and DeHaas. The Innsbruck responds instead with Leavens, who all alone in front of the red and white goal is stopped by an instinctive intervention by Boyle. On the restart of the action, at 06:59, Bolzano strikes: insistent play by Mike Halmo, who squeezes in front of the goal and beats McCollum on the third attempt. A little more than two minutes later, at 08:22, it is already time to double: Plastino’s blow from distance and Domenic Alberga’s winning deflection, on his second goal in two games. The hosts look for the three of a kind and go close with Catenacci, who hits the post, and with Insam. With the passing of the minutes the offensive pressure is wearing off, but Innsbruck fails to become dangerous despite a numerical superiority.
Great red and white pressure in the first minutes of the central period, with persistent action and two golden opportunities on the sticks of Ciampini and Findlay. Match that then continues on the edge of balance, with a few rings. The Bolzano does not realize two powerplay, then Boyle saves the result with some interventions on Betker, Hunterbrinker and Ulmer. On the other hand, the Foxes are still close to the third goal, with Glück and Ciampini not affecting face to face with McCollum.
In the third drittel Bolzano controls without major worries, but without being able to put the game on ice. Yet the opportunities are not lacking, but the visiting goalie manages to keep his team afloat and the Foxes sin of cynicism in front of the goal. There are two great chances, first with Catenacci who barely manages to reiterate Halmo’s assist on the net, then with Gazley who arrives a few centimeters late for the appointment with the goal, on the excellent idea of Frank. Innsbruck tries with Ulmer, closed by an exceptional intervention by Plastino, then in the final the Tyrolese are unable to organize a noteworthy offensive and Halmo closes the scoreboard with the empty-net goal that is worth the personal double and the 3 to 0.
Bernard and his teammates will be back on the ice on Thursday 30 December, at 7.15 pm, for the last match of the year at the EC Grand Immo VSV, live on VB33.
HCB Alto Adige Alperia – HC TIWAG Innsbruck 3 – 0 [2-0; 0-0; 1-0]
Reti: 06:59 Mike Halmo (1-0); 08:22 Domenic Alberga (2-0); 59:33 Mike Halmo EN (3-0)