Nicolai Meyer scored the decisive goal after 6:45 minutes of the encore; the Dane had already scored decisively for promotion in the seventh game against Bozen in extra time.
Like last Friday, Salzburg scored the last goal in regular time, like Troy Bourke (54th), it was a Canadian, Ryan Murphy. He scored four seconds before the end of the third period. Shortly before the end, after a protest, the guests were given five additional seconds on the match clock – possibly the preliminary decision.
GEPA/Daniel Goetzhaber Nicolai Meyer made the decision in the seventh minute of extra time
Basically, the KAC had to digest the most recent away defeat, and after returning home late there was only regenerative training for the top performers in the “Red Jackets”. This obviously paid off, as the home side went into the first half with a deserved 1-0 lead. Thomas Hundertpfund scored in front of a good 4,400 spectators after 9:22 minutes and an assist from Johannes Bischofberger directly in front of Salzburg goalie Atte Tolvanen, although the captain was too much ignored by Salzburg’s defense.
Fans get their money’s worth
It was of course a strong game from both goalkeepers, after the goals had just come in a rush two days before. KAC goalkeeper Sebastian Dahm, however, would have been beaten in the 18th minute, but a shot from Mario Huber hit the post. This led to the ultimately scoreless middle section. However, this third was by no means colorless; the fans really got their money’s worth with the fast-paced ice hockey and thrilling scenes. A hundred-pound try prevented Tolvanen from leaving the score 0-2.
So the guests stuck with it and equalized 63 seconds after the restart. After winning the face-off, Thomas Raffl surprised Daum. However, the goalie of the regular round winner had his view somewhat obscured. Five and a half minutes later the KAC took the lead again (47th): Hundertpfund took revenge on Bischofberger for the pass on the first goal, the Vorarlberger hammered the ball into the net from half-right. But Salzburg didn’t give up, took Tolvanen out of the game, and Ryan Murphy scored from a tight angle almost at the last second to make it 2-2.
Meyer makes the decision
The first few minutes of extra time were balanced, but the deciding factor was a two-minute penalty against the KAC. Meyer finally closed the sack on the power play. “We fought well and believed in ourselves,” he said in an interview with Puls24. His coach Oliver David spoke of a somewhat fortunate victory because of the late equalizer, but they had to force it somehow. “It was our fourth overtime victory en suite. It was definitely the most exciting.”
Clemens Unterweger made the first comment from the disappointed Carinthians. “We actually started well, like in game four. Towards the end we didn’t manage to make it over time. Salzburg were the luckier in overtime.” On Tuesday you have to try to “create more traffic in front of the goal. We’ll bring it back to Klagenfurt.” The decisive showdown would take place on Friday in Klagenfurt.
Win2day ICE Hockey League, final, game five
Sunday:
KAC – Salzburg 2:3 n. IN.
(1:0 0:0 1:2 / 0:1)
Goals: Hundredpound (10th), Bischofberger (47th) or Raffl (42nd), Murphy (60th), Meyer (67th/PP)
Stand in der „Best of seven“-Serie: 2:3
