2023-04-22 09:36:42
It didn’t work out twice at home, but Red Bull Salzburg got the perfect revenge in the Bolzano ice wave on Friday. The season of the ICE ice hockey league culminated in a dramatic decider, which Salzburg defeated HCB Südtirol with a lot of mental strength. Late goals turned the game around for coach Matt McIlvane’s side to secure their eighth international league title with a 2-1 win.
Two match pucks missed and going into the last third of the season 1-0 down – only ten minutes were missing for Salzburg’s bitter deja vu. Just like in 2014 and 2018, each even with a home advantage in the final match, disappointment threatened in the third title duel with the South Tyroleans. Captain Thomas Raffl (51st) and Nicolai Meyer (59th) with their goals and goalkeeper Atte Tolvanen, who was named MVP of the final series like last year, ensured a happy ending and the successful defense of the title.
“Incredible and indescribable. It’s a completely different story this year. Compliments to Bozen, they were the two best teams in the regular season in the final. It was a tight series, the momentum went back and forth. In our squad you just have it noticed, the belief has never been lost,” said Raffl, who was allowed to lift the Karl Nedved Trophy shortly following 10 p.m., into the Pulse 24 microphone.
“We knew we had what it takes and we were rewarded in the end. We did it together, we can be proud of that,” Raffl continued. On his personal future: “I just want to enjoy the boys, we’ve worked hard all season and now we want to show how we can celebrate.
After a “masterful” beer shower, trainer Matt McIlvane also thought of the late Red Bull founder. “I dedicate this title to Dietrich Mateschitz, without him there would be no ice hockey in Salzburg. I would also like to thank everyone who made this possible with their hard work.” The American also found great praise for Bolzano following the exciting decision. “We knew it was going to be tight, so to see the puck go in was a huge relief, of course,” McIlvane admitted.
For the American it was perhaps the last game in the Salzburg gang, according to media reports the 37-year-old will leave the club as a two-time champion.
Goalie Atte Tolvanen also played a major role in the final series, especially in the decider. However, he did not want to emphasize the MVP title in the play-off. “We can only do it together. I love working with this team. I would be nothing without them.” The title feels “surreal” to him. “Like my old coach used to say, beer tastes even better following winning a title.” It was supposed to be the start of a party that probably lasted until the early hours of the morning.
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