2023-12-27 18:46:00
Six defeats in the last eleven games: things are not going well for the champions at the moment.
Salzburg’s ice hockey fans have known for decades that the November Depression is a regular guest in Salzburg’s Volksgarten. But this year, a look at the statistics is also clear: While there were ten wins in the first eleven games of the season, which still keep Salzburg at the top of the table, there have been four wins in the last eleven games since mid-November, one success in stoppage time and six defeats – including the bitter blows once morest KAC (1:8) and Pustertal (1:7) and more goals conceded (37) than in the entire previous season.
But even without statistics you can see that things aren’t going well in the champions’ game at the moment. Therefore, head coach Oliver David’s analysis is not entirely wrong when he thinks that they are currently scoring too few goals and conceding goals too easily. To make matters worse, there is also a lack of luck in a game like this: like in the 2:3 in Vienna, where first keeper David Kickert made a mistake and then Dennis Robertson’s equalizer to make it 2:2 was disallowed because of alleged offside.
What is also noticeable: Salzburg’s game depends too often on individual performances, such as Ryan Murphy’s magnificent solo to make it 2-3 in Vienna, which came too late for a turnaround. The team spirit that prevailed last year seems to be dwindling a bit.
Now, following a fantastic spring, the champions are fighting for a conciliatory end to the year – once morest Laibach (Thursday) and final opponent HC Bozen (Saturday). The rather taciturn head coach Oliver David has to find the right words in the dressing room – his predecessor Matt McIlvane was also a great communicator in such phases.
The convalescent Benjamin Nissner will be missing from the planned path back to success on Thursday, as he will be given a break given the busy schedule of games. The Slovenians made a big statement on Tuesday and, thanks to Miha Zajc’s four goals, fought their way to a 7:6 victory over the KAC – following trailing 0:3 and 4:6.
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