2024-01-03 21:52:19
Finnish keeper scored into the opponent’s box for a 3-1 home win over Linz. Salzburg are getting closer and closer to the top of the table.
EC Red Bull Salzburg also won the second match of the new year. The Eisbullen beat Linz 3-1 at home on Wednesday and reduced their gap to Fehérvár, which continues to lead the ICE Hockey League, to one point. However, the Hungarians have already played two more games.
The Red Bulls got off to a furious start. For ten minutes they peppered Alex Reed keeper Rasmus Tirronen with dangerous shots. But even when they had the majority, they were unable to score at first. Atte Tolvanen was always there during the Black Wings’ few dangerous counter-attacks – until ex-cop Brian Lebler ice-coldly finished off a nice move from the Linz offensive to take the lead (11th). After a brief shock, Salzburg pushed for an equalizer, but it still wasn’t rewarded.
The second third started with the opposite signs. Linz took the momentum from the remaining power play minute and forced Tolvanen to make some sensational saves. That gave Salzburg the opportunity to fight their way back into the game. A four-minute penalty following a foul with the high stick on Mario Huber allowed the Eisbullen to once once more generate constant pressure at the end of the third. A quick goal from Peter Schneider, who shot powerfully into the far corner, also survived the video review due to suspicion of offside (36th). But nothing more than equalization was achieved.
In the final third, both teams had good chances to take the lead. But Salzburg invested a little more and was rewarded for it four minutes before the end. Benjamin Nissner captured the puck in front of the opponent’s box. Schneider finishes from close range. Afterwards, emotions briefly boiled over: Troy Bourke and Andreas Kristler were sent to the penalty box to cool down following a tussle. When the Linz team took their goalkeeper off the ice, Tolvanen repeated a feat that he had already achieved five years ago at the college level in the USA. He shot the puck across the entire field into the opponent’s box and secured the 3-1 home win.
Afterwards, the Finn made no big secret regarding his recipe for success. “Close your eyes and hope for the best,” said the 29-year-old with a grin. And what does a goal like that feel like for a goalkeeper? “It’s obviously a great feeling.”
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