The Moser Medical Graz99ers are racing from victory to victory in the playoffs of the win2day ICE Hockey League. With another success on Wednesday in Bruneck, the Styrians would secure their first championship title in the club’s history. After winning four championships in a row with Salzburg, Paul Stapelfeldt could make league history. In the interview, the defender talks about the series so far, the strengths of the 99ers and the upcoming duel.
After the “sweeps” in the quarter and semi-finals, the Graz team also leads 3-0 in the “best-of-7” final series against Pustertal. After two 5-1 successes, a 5-2 win in front of a home crowd followed on Sunday. “The games are much closer than the results suggest. A 3-0 is of course a clear series lead, but the way the games went, we know that we have to give it our all again on Wednesday in order to survive in the Pustertal,” says Paul Stapelfeldt, who describes the 99ers’ recipe for success: “We have a certain calmness in the team. In moments when things aren’t going so well and the opponent has a chance to get the momentum on their side, we stay calm and use ours We get through things and survive these difficult phases. What sets us apart is that we know exactly when you just have to defend: take the disc out, change – and defend the next one. I think that’s a key factor in our current success.”
Wieser as strong support
Goalie Maxime Lagacé led the Styrians to victory in the regular season with strong performances and was also a sure support in the first playoff games. In the third semi-final against Hydro Fehérvár AV19, the Canadian was injured and was replaced by Nicolas Wieser. The 28-year-old showed no nerves and has delivered impeccable performances so far – the Carinthian has only conceded five goals and leads the playoff statistics with a catch rate of over 96%. “When you find out that the number one goalkeeper, who has been strong throughout the season, is out, it is of course a bit of a shock at first. But we know that we have a very strong number two in Nicolas and we have complete confidence in him. He has shown in the last few games that he can maintain this high level, is currently producing outstanding performances and has therefore enabled us to achieve these clear victories. There is no doubt in the team – for us it is not ‘the second goalie’ Goal,” said Stapelfeldt, who can write history himself.
Stapelfeldt ahead of league record
After four championship titles with EC Red Bull Salzburg, the defender moved to Graz last summer, where he is now just one win away from the next title. The 27-year-old would be the first player since the league was founded to lift the Karl Nedwed Trophy for the fifth time in a row. “Success can never be taken for granted because I know how much work goes into it and how much work goes into our team to be where we are now. Success is always something special and it’s wonderful to be going from win to win with this team at the moment. We have incredible team chemistry, it’s really fun to come here every day,” he says, explaining the reasons for the success. The Graz team, who are still undefeated in the playoffs, could be the third team to achieve a “Perfect Postseason” after Vienna (2017) and Salzburg (2022; with Paul Stapelfeldt). The defender says that he certainly sees parallels to the Red Bulls team four years ago: “This feeling that our team is so compact this year, has so much self-confidence that hardly anything can go wrong – that’s one of the big parallels. Like back then, we’re currently leaving everything on the ice, showing 110 percent effort – otherwise a series like this wouldn’t be possible.”
Game 4 on Wednesday in Bruneck
But the Styrians have not yet reached their goal. They are still missing a win for the first championship title in the club’s history – this can be achieved on Wednesday in Brunico. “With a 3-0 series deficit, Pustertal has nothing left to lose. We are preparing for an extremely tough game. With our own fans behind them, they will come out of the locker room with a lot of momentum. We know what to expect, are well prepared, want to hold our own – and of course the big goal is to get the decisive fourth win on Wednesday,” concludes Stapelfeldt.
ice.hockey , Image: EC Red Bull Salzburg/Manuel Mackinger
