In the “underdog final” of the Alps Hockey League – the tenth-placed team after the regular round received the eleventh-placed team – HC Gherdeina made it 1-0 at HC Meran/o in the “best-of-seven” series. Val Gardena won 5-1 in the first game on Saturday evening.
The two finalists started the first final game evenly. In the eighth minute, HC Gherdeina opened the scoring in the final: After a blocked shot by Julian Senoner, Stephan Deluca reacted quickest and put the puck into the goal with a backhand to make it 1-0.
Gherdeina followed up in the second period: First, Hannes Kasslatter made it 2-0 in the 30th minute after he perfectly used a puck from the boards. Just a little later, Luke Moncada made it 3-0 on a 5-on-3 power play.
In the final section, Brayden Sherbinin was able to shorten the score with a remarkable solo effort, but just a little later Dmitry Vozovik ended HC Meran/o’s hopes with a 4-1 win. Rasmus Nousiainen had the opportunity to bring his team back into the game with a penalty shot, but was unable to take advantage of this chance. Davide Schiavone finally made the final score 5-1 with an empty netter and secured the 1-0 series lead in the “underdog final” – once again for the lower-ranked team.
Alps Hockey League, Final #1
HC Meran/o – HC Gherdeina valgardena.it 1:5 (0:1, 0:2, 1:2)
Goals HCM: Sherbinin (50.)
Goals GHE: Deluca (8th), Kasslatter (30th), Moncada (31st/pp2), Vozovik (51st), Schiavone (55th/en.)
alps.hockey , Image: BK PHOTO
