The big final day of the 18th edition of the Dolomitencup in Neumarkt/South Tyrol is scheduled for Sunday. This was opened in the afternoon with the small final between HC Pustertal and HC Kometa Brno. In the end, the Czechs celebrated a 7:1 victory.
It was a special treat that awaited the 654 spectators in the smart Würtharena on Sunday afternoon. On the one side, the “local hero” of HC Pustertal, who were the big surprise in the multinational ICE Hockey League last season. On the other side was HC Kometa Brno, one of the top teams in the prestigious Czech Extraliga. In the end, the Eastern European Komet left no stone unturned and won the duel by a clear 7:1, giving Kometa Brno the bronze medal at the prestigious ice hockey preparation tournament in the south of South Tyrol.
The Czech skaters, who were loudly supported by around two dozen fans travelling with them, looked really dynamic, full of energy and, above all, hungry for goals after their rest day on Saturday. Pustertal, who had to do without Davide Conci and exceptional skater Brett Findlay in the small final, put up a strong fight. However, the first few days of training and the intense semi-final duel against Löwen Frankfurt less than 24 hours ago have left their mark.
Kometa Brno set the course for victory after just a few seconds. After a scramble in front of Pustertal goalie Andreas Bernard, Tomas Marcinko made the quickest move – 1:0 after 49 seconds. After that, a defenceman slipped into the goal-scoring role twice: Jan Scotka, newly crowned Czech world champion, first kept his cool in front of goalie Bernard (11th) and then put a blueliner into the net (25th). Before the break, Hynek Zohorna increased the lead to 4:0 (34′) after a marvellous assist from Jakub Flek. The Pusterians finally ran out of steam in the final third – three more goals were the result. The Wolves’ morale was commendable, with captain Raphael Andergassen scoring an honourable goal (after a fine assist from Tommy Purdeller).
The grand finale starts at 8 pm
There is no time for a long break in Neumarkt, because the grand final is already scheduled for 8 pm. EHC Kloten from the Swiss National League and Löwen Frankfurt from the German Ice Hockey League will then face each other in the Würtharena. Curious fact: both clubs have a 100 per cent record in the Dolomitencup. Frankfurt have won the trophy three times in three appearances, while Kloten have been there once so far, also taking home the cup. So one series will end today.
HC Pustertal Wolves – HC Kometa Brno 1:7
HC Pustertal: Bernard (Roy); Andersen-Wesley, Osmanski-Bouramman, Glira-Althuber, Zanatta-De Lorenzo Meo; Gschliesser-Andergassen-Petan, Mantinger-Coulter-Akeson, Lacroix-Frycklund-Purdeller, Deluca-Traversa-Galimberti.
Coach: Jason Jaspers
Kometa Brno: Postava (Kroselj); Davidson-Scotka, Beaudin-Holland, Gulasi-Daloga, Svoboda; Zohorna-Cingel-Flek, Pospisil-Marcinko-Zboril, Zatovic-Kollar-Ricka, Kos-Konecny-Jedlicka.
Coach: Kamil Pokorny
Referees: Benvegnù, Lazzeri
Goals: 0:1 Tomas Marcinko (0.49), 0:2 Jan Scotka (10.44), 0:3 Jan Scotka (24.46), 0:4 Hynek Zohorna (33.02), 0:5 Robert Ricka (45.20), 0:6 Adam Zboril (45.30), 0:7 Marek Daloga (46.50), 1:7 Raphael Andergassen (54.20)
Spectators: 654
MVP: Coulter (Pustertal), Scotka (Kometa Brno)
