Innsbruck’s ice hockey cracks suffered a 2:5 defeat in Laibach on Saturday less than 24 hours after their 3:2 win after a penalty shootout in Klagenfurt and only took home two points from the away double. That hurts in the tough battle for the top six.
The joy over the two hard-fought points on Friday against league leaders KAC was short-lived. On Saturday, Innsbruck’s cracks came away empty-handed in Laibach, putting a damper on the hot race for direct playoff entry. The proud series of seven away wins in a row ended with the 2:5. It was the third defeat of the season against the former favorite opponent. Celebrations after 16 seconds The team was accompanied from Klagenfurt to Slovenia by the Hai Society, the fan club. After just 16 seconds there was reason to celebrate. Top scorer Kevin Roy danced past keeper Kolin. That was too easy. Double blow was bitter After the dream start, the Sharks were hit hard. The Dragons breathed fire, turned the game around with a double strike within 12 seconds and increased the lead to 3-1 in the first third. The Tyroleans made many small inattentions, which also added up on the scoreboard. At 1:4, a somewhat casual build-up pass was intercepted by Nick Albano. Laibach was then closer to the fifth goal than the Haie were to the second. Hope briefly arose When Gordie Green scored this in the power play in the final third, hope was revived again. Adam Rockwood failed to hit the crossbar. But the Slovenians were more robust, fresher, and scored into an empty goal at the final score.ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE: Laibach – Innsbruck 5:2 (3:1, 1:0, 1:1). Goals: Bicevskis (10th), Leskinen (10th, 59th/EN), Mehle (15th), Ronkainen (23rd); Roy (1st), Green (52nd/PP).
source site-12