BOLZANO. A bitter Sunday for HCB Alto Adige Alperia, who are unable to continue their winning streak and at Palaonda must give way 3 to 1 to Ec Red Bull Salzburg.
For his new debut coach Greg Ireland deploys the same lineup seen on Tuesday evening, with only Mizzi in the pits. Between the posts is Boyle.
Bolzano interprets the first minutes well, but it is Salzburg who take the lead at 02:26: Mario Huber’s long-range shot seems harmless, but Boyle misses the intervention and the puck bags. The Foxes do not give up and seek the way of a draw, but Lamoureux saves on Ciampini’s torpedo. The match remains balanced, the Red Bulls try to make the match and close to the advantage on some occasions, but this time Boyle is providential on Raffl and Loney. The red and white keep in penalty killing and then go one step away from a draw with Frank.
Red Bulls arrembanti at the start of the central period and Bolzano crushed in their third defense. The guests rained shots from Boyle’s side and the Foxes only managed to put their heads forward on the occasion of a powerplay, producing two good chances with Findlay and Gazley. Austrians, however, who make the game and Boyle is forced to make a big intervention with the pliers on Baltram’s shot. The doubling is only postponed and arrives at 28:27: conclusion of Borzecki, rebound and winning finish of the young Danjo Leonhardt. The Foxes try to react with another numerical superiority, which does not produce the desired effects despite a good chance on Lowe’s cue. At 37:00 the hosts manage to shorten the distance: Halmo da Catenacci, golden puck for Ciampini who makes no mistake in front of the goal. Third goal in three games for the latest arrival at Bolzano. The final three minutes of the middle period are a new siege by the Red Bulls, hitting a post with Brennan.
The Foxes go down on the ice with another look in the third drittel, but Catenacci and Findlay waste two excellent opportunities. On the other hand, Salzburg is close to the three of a kind, with a Wukovits torpedo slightly out. Match more lively, Bolzano arrembante and still dangerous with Maione, but the Red Bulls are cynical and at 51:23 he returns to strike: Kanzig serves Raffl, who flies to the right and unloads a torpedo at the intersection of the posts. The red and white attempt the assault in the final, but Lamoureux is amazing on two sure shots from Frank and a missile from Lowe.
Bernard and his teammates will face the difficult double away from Linz (Friday 17 December, 7.15 pm) and Vienna (Sunday 19 December, 4.00 pm) next weekend, before returning to Palaonda for the derby against Val Pusteria (Tuesday 21 December, 7.45 pm).
HCB Alto Adige Alperia – EC Red Bull Salzburg 1 – 3 [0-1; 1-1; 0-1]
Goals: 02:26 Mario Huber (0-1); 28:27 Danjo Leonhardt (0-2); 37:00 Daniel Ciampini (1-2); 51:23 Thomas Raffl (1-3)
Referees: Trilar, Zrnic / Basso, Mantovani
Spectators: 2,545