Fabulous: Bolzano’s troop thrilled fans – ICEHL

Vienna on the ground, Bozen applauds: The Foxes remain undefeated at ICE. © Vanna Antonello

There is something magical about this, but it is a wonderful reality for Bozen ice hockey fans: the HCB Südtirol Alperia troop continues to march undefeated through the ICE Hockey League and now even greets them from the top of the table. On Saturday the capitals of Vienna had to believe in it.

October 10, 2020

The 15 players who entered the ice wave playing area dressed in white and red on Saturday night delivered quintessential visual lessons in passion, physical exertion and callousness. In the end, they fought the guests from Vienna, who were able to assemble two more defensive blocks and an attack line, with 3: 2 on their knees. The standout player on the ice was double scorer Anthony Bardaro. With their third win in their third game, the thirteenth in a row in all seasons, the Foxes catch up with the table leaders Salzburg, Graz and Klagenfurt.

The decimated team of coach Greg Ireland was not in good shape in the first third, who again had to specify his usual goalkeeper, a defender and 6 forwards. The capitals immediately hit the gas, and otherwise strong Dan Catenacci paved the way for a 2-goal lead on two penalties: In the 10th minute, Jérôme Leduc signaled a shot, but then left Anton Bernard and Daniel Frank. get out and hit from the high slot to 1-0. Rafael Rotter scored the second power play goal just 3 minutes later, following a rebound from Justin Fazio’s schooner.

Bardaro ice cream turns the game around

It took Bolzano a bit to recover from the two goals conceded, but then struck back harder in the middle. After a Viennese error in the HCB’s third, Catenacci grabbed the puck, walked off alone and made Austria’s national goalkeeper Bernhard Starkbaum look old in a 1v1. Now there was a lot of fire under the roof! Powered by the more than 1,200 spectators, the 3 Bozen Sturmlinien pushed the Vienna visitors well ahead of their goal, went where it hurts and did not lose a puck in the third attack. This ultimately resulted in 2-2. Daniel Frank crosses over to defensive giant Dylan Di Perna, who was quickly cleared by Mario Fischer and promoted to goal. Anthony Bardaro put the proper penalty under the bar with great judgment. Inspired by the equalizer, the Foxes began attack after attack. In the 36th minute, passionate and hardworking Daniel Frank almost rewarded himself with the early lead, but his backhand hit the inside post.

Anthony Bardaro celebrates his penalty goal, shortly after is successful again. © Antonello

In the last third, the forces of the red-white seemed to slowly diminish, just then Bardaro attacked again. After a pass from Bernard, last year’s HCB top scorer sank the little black dress with his inimitable precision in the Vienna area. In the remaining 9 minutes of the game, the completely exhausted Foxes could barely stand up, but they saved the narrow lead over time and cheered at the end of the third win in the third game of the season.

Frigo must have been hurt by the ice

The only disappointment on this special night was another failure: Luca Frigo was hit in the upper body and had to go to the locker room early in the last third. It is highly questionable whether he will be available for Tuesday’s next league game at home to Salzburg. In return, it is likely that some cracks who were not in the team lately will return and, therefore, secure the long-awaited relief on the shore of Bozen.

HCB Südtirol Alperia – Spusu Vienna Capitals 3: 2

HCB: Fazio (Tava), Robertson-Plastino, Fournier-Tauferer, Gios; Gazley-Catenacci-Bardaro, Miceli-Bernard-Frank, Di Perna-Pitschieler-Frigo
Coach: Ireland

Vienna: Starkbaum (Wraneschitz); Wall-Flemming, Hackl-Lakos, Fischer-Leduc; Piff-Antal; Judge Campbell-Loney, Wukovits-Nissner-Hartl, McPhee-Vause-Rotter, Artner-Großlercher-Cijan
Coach: Cameron

Tore: 0: 1 Jérôme Gauthier Leduc (9.36), 0: 2 Rafael Rotter (12.53), 1: 2 Dan Catenacci (24.41), 2: 2 Anthony Bardaro (26.41), 2: 3 Anthony Bardaro (50.27)

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Author: alexander foppa