Salzburg confidently again ice hockey master-Diepresse.com
The Salzburger gave the KAC a chance, won 4-0 in the final series and secured the fourth title in a row.
Again winner of the basic round, again losers in the final of the ICE Hockey League: The KAC experienced a deja vu this ice hockey season. Compared to 2024, Salzburg was a class of its own in the crucial series, a “sweep” and only two goals in four games speak volumes. The twelfth masterpiece was finally fixed again in its own Eisarena Volksgarten, with a 4-0 victory. After that, the mood of those at the Oktoberfest was like.
« It feels like at the Oktoberfest and I love this feeling. I came to Europe to experience it, it’s really cool, I will enjoy it, » said Salzburg coach Oliver David. Last year, the 46-year-old American had to cheer about his premiere title in Klagenfurt after game seven. This year his team was two points behind the KAC second after 48 games of the regular season, the year before it was only third. That was not in the way of the fourth title win in a row.
Return of important players in front of play-off
« We struggled a lot with injuries this season and therefore have to pull young players up. They have developed well, which shows that the academy was turned on the right screws. Important people came back before the play-offs, » summed up Salzburg captain Thomas Rafffl. Fehervar (4: 0) and HCB South Tyrol (4: 1) were conquered before the final. Then a 2-1 followed against the KAC before Friday, 4: 0 and 3: 1. For the fifth time in the 25-year league history, a championship team in the final lost no game, Salzburg made it for the third time.
Words such as team spirit or character kept falling as reasons for success in the interviews at the victory celebrations. « It is the team as a unit, none is larger than the system. We said from the start we win it as a team, it is not about single players and we showed that, » analyzed Peter Schneider. In addition, a good dose of self -confidence was of course developed. « And we know exactly how to win close games. »
« Atte was incredible »
With Atte Tolvanen in the goal, this is a lot easier. The 30-year-old was rightly recognized as the most valuable player (MVP) of the Play-Off, where he came to a fishing rate of 95.8 percent. « If you don’t get a goal or just a goal, it is of course easier to win games, » Raffl noted. And Mario Huber added: « Atte was incredible. » This is also why a league team was able to put on the master crown on their own ice for the first time since 2019. « It’s a great feeling to finally win at home, » said Schneider.
The 33rd championship title was denied to the lawsuit. « If a series runs 4: 0, you have to say that Salzburg was too strong, » emphasized Kac captain Thomas Hundertpfund. His team did not manage to get the performance on the ice in the crucial season phase. « With us, the looseness, the lightness was lacking, » said the striker.
Coach Kirk Furey also noticed that, but above all he stroked the positive. « It doesn’t feel good at the moment, but we can be proud. Many did not believe in ourselves and also meant that we won’t even get among the top six. Then we were the basic passage winner and did it that far. » From September you want to do everything you can to finally end the « Bullen » master series. (APA)
