The 20th edition of the Dolomitencup has come to an end – and with it a tournament that could scarcely have celebrated its anniversary any better. HC Kometa Brno provided a glittering finale at the Würtharena in Neumarkt, which was once again sold out, defeating the top Swiss club EV Zug 3–2 in a spectacular final.
In front of around 1,000 spectators, Kometa Brno and EV Zug put on the final show of the Dolomitencup’s anniversary edition – and at the same time brought the curtain down on a three-day ice hockey festival that was celebrated in style both on the ice at the Würtharena and in the fans’ marquee and the streets of Neumarkt. The fourth and final match was also completely sold out.
An NHL star as a special guest
Mingling amongst the fans was also an absolute ice hockey star: the German national goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer, who has been playing in the NHL for 15 years and paid a visit to the South Tyrolean Unterland region before the start of training with the Seattle Kraken. It was Grubauer who opened the grand final with the symbolic puck drop.
After that, the stage belonged to the stars from the Czech Republic and Switzerland, who promptly displayed high-octane attacking hockey, physical play and goals. Initially, it was Kometa who had the upper hand. Within twelve seconds, the historic club from Brno scored twice to take a 2–0 lead. First, Witkowski scored to make it 1–0, then Mikyska caught Zug’s backup goalkeeper Birchler off guard at the near post (10th minute). The Swiss, however, were not fazed by this, with Dominik Kubalik and Nik Petrovic coming very close to pulling one back. They finally managed to do so halfway through the match, when Jan Kovar scored to make it 1–2 following a pass from Samuel Guerra (30th minute).
Plenty of goals in the second period
The match really picked up pace after Zug’s first goal. A frantic back-and-forth ensued, with Kometa the next side to shine. Adam Zboril did brilliantly to create space for himself and set up captain Kristian Pospisil, who slotted home to make it 3–1 (31’). This time, however, Sven Senteler had the perfect response. He promptly reduced the deficit to 2–3 for the Central Swiss side with a rebound (34th minute). They then threw everything at Kometa in a bid to snatch the trophy from their grasp. Andreas Wingerli alone had several chances in the final period to make it 3–3 and force a penalty shoot-out. But Zug’s efforts were repeatedly thwarted by the outstanding Jan Kavan in the Czech goal, as was the case with a powerful one-timer from Gregory Hofmann in the closing stages.
In the end, all the attacking runs and even the vociferous support from the Zug fans were in vain; the Swiss side were denied a third Dolomitencup title. Instead, Kometa Brno lifted the iconic trophy for the first time – and, of all occasions, at the Dolomitencup’s anniversary edition. An edition that is unlikely to be forgotten any time soon, both in Neumarkt and beyond.
HC Kometa Brno – EV Zug 3:2 (2:0, 1:2, 0:0)
Kometa: Kavan (Rablan); Kucerik-Davidson, Krai-Witkowski, Nedomiel-Svozil, Svozil, Mikyska; Leino-Pospisil-Zboril, Cingel-Cajkovic-Kuric, Kollar-Chludil-Selic, Ilomaki-Vehovsky-Kusko, Suss.
Coach: Kamil Pokorny
Zug: Birchler (Genoni); Sklenicka-Diaz, Guerra-Bengtsson, Geisser-Schneller, Stadler-Balestra; Rohrer-Hofmann-Gredig, Kovar-Wingerli-Kubalik, Senteler-Wey-Petrovic, Egli-Antenen-Lindermann.
Coach: Lauri Marjamäki
Goals: 1:0 Luke Witkowski (9.43), 09:55 Dalimil Mikyska (9.55), 2:1 Jan Kovar (30.00), 3:1 Kristian Pospisil (30.52), 3:2 Sven Senteler (33.02)
MVP: Jan Kavar (Kometa),Raphael Diaz (Zug)
Referees: Lazzeri, Virta (Fleischmann, Uli Pardatscher)
Attendance: 978 (ausverkauft)
Photo: Max Pattis
