Innsbruck’s ice hockey cracks want to be in the top six at Christmas. This project suffered a severe setback on Saturday. The Haie were subsequently defeated 4-7 in Asiago and conceded seven goals in the league for the first time this season. Pustertal awaits on Wednesday.
Whether Salzburg or Asiago, the standings in the table mean nothing. In this league, anyone can beat anyone. After the glorious 3:2 against the Bulls, Innsbruck’s cracks were painfully felt in the aftermath against the eleventh place. The Haie started dominantly, fired some dangerous shots, but were then 0:2 behind. Stevan used a rebound, Gennaro prevailed against three Tyroleans. Mitch O’Keefe’s team managed to score the next goal in the last second of the first period. Nick Albano scored after an advance from Brady Shaw to make it 2-1. Poor middle third But the Haie couldn’t carry this positive feeling into the middle period. On the contrary. That’s when things got really bad. Asiago scored three of the four goals in the power play, was ice cold and always extremely dangerous on the counterattack. Gordie Green managed to make it 2:4. The US boy sank a rebound from the air when he was in the majority. Buitenhuis was substituted. Going into the final third with a 2:6 deficit was frustrating and also required a mental effort to still believe in a win. Goalie Evan Buitenhuis had enough and was substituted for the first time, making way for Markus Gratzer. Kevin Roy’s goal gave hope. The 4:6 from Senna Peeters, who came directly from the national team, made things exciting again for a moment. But Asiago scored into the empty goal for the final score. The gap to the top six is now four points.ICE HOCKEY LEAGUE: Asiago – Innsbruck 7:4 (2:1, 4:1, 1:2). Goals: Stevan (11th), Gennaro (14th), Misley (22nd/PP), Marchetti (32nd), McShane (38th/PP), Gazzola (39th/PP), Finoro (59th/EN ; Albano (20th), Green (33rd/PP), Roy (45th), Peeters (58th).
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