The frustration was huge. After the bitter 2:3 home defeat by HCB South Tyrol Alperia in game three of the playoff series against HK Olimpija Ljubljana found trainer Doug Shedden clear words.
Bolzano had the game under control for a long time and was already leading 2-0 in the final third. But within just 38 seconds the game changed completely: the guests from Ljubljana scored three goals in a row and turned the game around spectacularly. For the South Tyroleans, this not only meant a painful defeat in front of their own audience, but also the loss of home advantage. In the best-of-seven series, Bolzano is now behind 1:2.
Particularly annoying from the trainer’s point of view: the break-in was triggered by an unnecessary penalty.
“A lot of things worked. If you take away the 40 seconds in the third period in which we received a completely stupid penalty,” said Shedden after the game, as reported by “Sportnews”. “The game was in our hands, it was 2-0 and we received a retaliatory penalty. And then we gave a team new life and they took advantage of it.”
The coach spoke of a gift to the opponent – and not for the first time. “We have given them the biggest Christmas present of the year, at home for the second year in a row, and to me that is absolutely unacceptable.”
Shedden also clearly criticized the attitudes of some players. While some players gave everything, blocked shots and fought until the end, others were not fully committed.
“I saw some players who weren’t quite there tonight, while other players gave their all. That’s a disgrace and a shame,” the coach rumbled. “We’re in March. It’s a great time of year and some guys have definitely let us down big time.”
This means that Bolzano is already under pressure before game four. The South Tyroleans now have to react in Ljubljana in order to be in the series ICE Hockey League not to fall further behind.
Image: HCB/Vanna Antonello
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