ICEHL: KAC wins in Salzburg – the votes for the game: – Hockey-News.info

Matt McIlvane (EC Red Bull Salzburg Head Coach):
… After the game: “We don’t have much time to think about it, we should focus on the next game. It was very tight. We renounce the game in the game of power, we move away from our principles. Only two games have been played, nothing has been decided yet. Today we did not reach our goal and we have another chance in the next game. “

… before the game: “The special teams in the power game and penalties have to improve, we talk about the defense around our goal. We have to extend the good phases to the whole game. We can reach a new level as a team, we are looking forward to today’s game. “

Alexander Rauchenwald (EC Red Bull Salzburg):
… after the third third: “We have to get away from the penalty area and everything else will come by itself. We will draw one or two penalties and then we will take advantage of them.”

Petri Matikainen (EC-KAC head coach):
… after the game: “In the first two thirds it was very difficult, then we picked up the momentum, in the third third it was better. I’m happy with how we got to extra time and how we were able to win. Today there were good things and not so good. We need longer phases. The series actually only starts now with the third duel, it will be a long series. We weren’t brave or aggressive enough, obviously it’s difficult to play here, we’re in the playoffs. You can’t obsess over a game, I have to see the big picture. “

Clemens Unterweger (EC-KAC):
… on his winning goal in extra time, outnumbered: “Johannes Bischofberger saw me great, I was very open. I tested the disc in the Kreuzeck and luckily it went in. We never give up no matter what. Salzburg put pressure on us for the first 40 minutes, we had problems, but we never gave up, we always believe in ourselves. The series continues as normal on Thursday, the score is 2-0, we have to keep playing and not give anything to Salzburg ”.

Matt Fraser (EC-KAC):
… Before the game: “It’s nice that things are going so well, my assists and goals only come from a good team game. There is always room for improvement, you have to stay calm, even if things are not going so well. In the playoffs you have to be prepared for everything. Confidence must not turn into arrogance. If we get it right, it doesn’t matter who we’re up against. “

Rok Ticar (EC-KAC):
… after the first third: “We start timidly, then we improve, we have to enter the second third more actively.”

Florian Iberer (Sky Expert):
… after the first third: “The longer the game lasted, the more powerful Salzburg was. KAC also played very well, with a slightly happy lead. Tactically good for both, a great playoff game. Dahm has his hand on the puck, but the referee blew his whistle too early, it was actually a regular goal from Rauchwald. It could be seen that both teams play hard, but above all clean, extremely disciplined, also tactically. Kernberger and the other boys play very disciplined, the communication of the older ones is great, that’s why these players also play with confidence in themselves.

… after the second third: “We are watching a great ice hockey game, a lot of toughness and tactical discipline. Salzburg should absolutely lead. Both teams must be commended, they play with tactical intelligence. Salzburg tried harder for the game than KAC and deserved this goal. It will be a factor that has a better control over your emotions. I currently see an advantage in being outnumbered in Salzburg, they play aggressively. KAC will try to seize the opportunity in the power game, Salzburg have to keep playing, that’s better for them than waiting. For me, Salzburg is today the most physical and present team “.

… after the third third: “It’s a well-deserved extension. There were opportunities on both sides, and a lack of discipline eventually cost the Salzburg team the victory. It was deserved for KAC, he was significantly better in the last third and was able to deal with pressure from Salzburg. A great match. I’m fascinated by how strong both teams are mentally. “

… after the game: “It was a game at the razor’s edge. It could have gone both ways, in the end Salzburg had it in their own hands and they played it themselves. Beautifully seen by Bischofberger and Unterweger with the ‘big rocket’ right in the Kreuzeck, really well done and very well prepared. That was played intelligently. Of course, it is very bitter for Matt McIlvane, he knows very well that his stars have taken actions that may have lost the game. Stick fouls like this happen when you don’t skate properly. For the KAC it is a “confidence booster”, they have been rewarded for their commitment. Forced victory over the collective. Salzburg has come true. “

www.sky.at, Photo: GEPA Images / Daniel Goetzhaber