The sharks start at the Hansjörg Brunner Memorial in Merano with a clear 9-2 success against HC Asiago. Jakob Brandner denies his second assignment in ongoing preparation.
From the beginning, the sharks make the class difference visible and put pressure on the opponent. In the third minute of the game, Asiago has to act outnumbered for the first time after a foul. Patrick Kudla pulls off the blue line, Troy Lajeunesse uses the rebound and takes care of the early lead. Shortly afterwards, after a strong pass from Lajeunesse, Darian Craighead increases to 2-0. Just a few minutes later, Craighead shines again. After a precise pass from his own third of Lukas Bär, he ends 3-0. Patrick Kudla represents 4-0 in minute 14. Only a former shark is noticeable: Ryan Valentini shortens to 4: 1 for Asiago shortly before the end of the third.
The second third begins with an outnumbered for Innsbruck, but Brandner remains stable. In the 24th minute, Asiago still uses the momentum from the power play and shortens to 4: 2. The sharks of morality show briefly: Winston Frimmel outnumbered a pass, places on Kilian Rappold, who hits 5: 2 by SHORTHADER. A little later, Thomas Mader ensures the 6-2 after a fine pass from Klassek.
The last third begins with a lightning start: Corbeil increases to 7: 2 after only 20 seconds. Wilkins and Owre narrowly fail before Wilkins places 8: 2 in the 50th minute. Captain Jan Lattner sets the final point after presenting Wilkins – 9: 2
Conclusion: The sharks celebrate a safe opening victory at the Hansjörg Brunner Memorial. On Sunday, however, the EV Landshut from the DEL2 is waiting for a significantly harder touchstone.
HC TiWaginnsbruck vs. HC Asiago 9: 2 (4: 1, 2: 1, 3: 0)
Goal scorer HCI: 1. 03:12 – Troy Lajeunesse (Kudla) – 1-0
2. 06:47 – Darien Craighead (Lajeunesse) – 2: 0
3. 09:21 – Darien Craighead (Bär) – 3: 0
4. 13:58 – Patrick Kudla (classic) – 4: 0
5.32:44 – Kilian Rappold (Frimmel) – 5: 2, SH
6. 36:10 – Thomas Mader (Classek) – 6: 2
7. 40:19 – Benjamin Corbeil – 7: 2
8. 49:57 – Matt Wilkins (owre) – 8: 2
9. 57:21 – Jan Lattner (Wilkins) – 9: 2
hcinnsbruck.at, Image: HCI/Papa Productions
