The Löwen Franfurt are going for the trophy at the international Dolomitencup for the fourth time. The DEL club defeated a valiantly fighting HC Pustertal 2:1 in the Würtharena, which was packed with more than 800 fans.
After Klotner’s 4:1 victory against Kometa Brno on Friday, the second day of the tournament in Neumarkt was characterised by several premieres. On the one hand, Pustertal and Frankfurt both played their first test match in the current pre-season preparations, while on the other hand it was the first ever meeting between the two teams at the Dolomitencup. Both have already been guests at the tournament several times. HCP went into the premiere clash without the injured Davide Conci, while the DEL club was missing Carter Rowney, a Stanley Cup winner and absolute star of the team.
Before the opponents were allowed to get started in the Würtharena, the players and fans had to wait. As some of the HCP cracks’ equipment was not compliant with the rules, the start of the game was delayed slightly. When the game finally got underway, Frankfurt set off fireworks straight away. After a marvellous pass from Dominik Bokk, Markus Schweiger slid in to make it 1:0 in the 9th minute, and Hannu Tripcke extended the lead less than two minutes later. He made the new HCP goalie Olivier Roy look old at the near post.
The Wolves from Bruneck, who fielded the impressive new youngster Tommy Purdeller in the first attacking line, felt the effects of the first two hard weeks of training. Nevertheless, they tried to stand up to the favourites. Which they did in the second half – despite being short-handed several times. Only a post goal from Dennis Lobach caused danger in front of the HCP goal. At the other end, Tyler Coulter initially got caught out by Frankfurt’s Olympic and two-time world champion Jussi Olkinuora, before Jason Akeson did better. He scored in the 39th minute to make it 1:2, and suddenly there was real tension again!
It came to a head in the final period when Matthias Mantinger hit the back of the net from close range and Mikael Frycklund failed to beat Olkinuora with a great chance. As the game progressed, the action on the ice became rougher and tougher and the referees had to intervene time and again. The Lions managed to hold on to their narrow lead in the resulting tense final phase.
Sunday is the final day
This gives the team from the financial metropolis the chance to add their name to the Dolomitencup roll of honour as tournament winners for the fourth time on Sunday. The Lions will face the EHC Kloten in the final at 8 pm. HC Pustertal and HC Kometa Brno will play for third place at 3.45 pm.
HC Pustertal – Löwen Frankfurt 1:2 (0:2, 1:0, 0:0)
HC Pustertal: Roy (Bernard); Osmanski-Bouramman, Andersen-Wesley, Glira-Althuber, Zanatta; Fricklund-Purdeller-Lacroix, Coulter-Mantinger-Akeson, Findlay-Petan-Andergassen, Traversa-Gschliesser-Deluca, Hasler.
Coach: Jason Jaspers.
Frankfurt Lions: Olkinuora (Brenner); Niehus-Kirichenko, Lauridsen-Mcneill, Maginot-Wirt, Bidoul; Froberg-Schweiger-Bokk, Burns-Brace-Napravnik, Pfaffengut-Lobach-Proft, Cimmermann-Kaus-Tripcke.
Coach: Tom Rowe
Referees: Moschen, Piniè (Fleischmann, Mantovani)
Goals: 0:1 Markus Schweiger (8.16), 0:2 Hannu Tripcke (10.15), 1:2 Jason Akeson (38.47)
Spectators: 832
MVP: Tommy Purdeller (Pustertal), Jussi Olkinuora (Frankfurt)
Photo: Max Pattis
