As part of the Vinschgau Cup in the ICE Forum Latsch, the HC Falkensteiner Pustertal met the Straubing Tigers from the DEL in front of almost 450 spectators. Head coach Jason Jaspers was able to fall back on Mikael Frycklund for the first time while Nick paused; Gabriel Nitz rose as a seventh defender.
First third
The wolves are starting, but in the 3. minute Tigers defender Daschner fumbles through on the left and narrowly misses. Straubing then takes the command and uses the first power play: after 8 minutes, Scott fakes a OneTimer from Brandt unsustainable to 0: 1. The HCP is now under pressure, but Eddie Pasquale keeps his team in the game with strong parades. Only sporadic relief attacks succeeded aggressively, for example by JC Lipon after passing the young Gabriel Nitz. In the majority from the 14th minute, the home side come into play better, Rok Ticar and Daniel Glira try it with distance shots. Shortly afterwards, the fans are already cheering on a goal by Raphi Andergassen, which is revoked for high sticks. So it stays 0: 1 after twenty minutes.
Second third
In the second third, Pustertal presses outnumbered to equalize, the best chance Jon Blum parried with a blum with the barrier. Straubing defends compact and sets with aggressive forechecking needles. In the 29th minute, the HCP still succeeds 1-1: Ivan Deluca forwards a counterattack on Andergassen, which plays its opponent and conquers Bugl. A little later, Melnick brings the Tigers into the lead again at four-towards four (31st). The game remains torn, many punishments shape the section, Cole Bardreau even collects a ten-minute penalty. Shortly before the end of the third, Henry Bowlby has the great chance of equalizing in the outnumbered breakaway, but fails due to Bugl. With 1: 2 it goes into the cabin.
Third third
In the final third, the Tigers catch the better start and check Pasquale several times. After a counterattack over Andergassen, the wolves also come to an opportunity, but shortly afterwards the preliminary decision is made: McKenzie uses a mistake in HCP structure and hits 1: 3 (42nd) by SHORTHADER. A little later, small after preparatory work by McKenzie and Brunnhuber increases to 1: 4 (51.). Puster Valley hardly finds a way against the stable defensive of the Lower Bavaria before Barddreau prevails four minutes before the end and Austin Rueschhoff puts on 2: 4. The HCP sniffs again on the connection, but awards the chance, and McKenzie makes the 2: 5 final score with an Empty-Net goal.
Tomorrow at 6 p.m. the wolves will again meet ERC Ingolstadt Panther in Latsch.
hcpustertal.com Image: HCI/Papa Productions
