Bolzano and Val Pusteria win Semifinals game 1

Playoffs Semifinals started tonight in Italian Serie A and the two best teams after regular season, Val Pusteria and Bolzano, win the opening game but it was a battle on both ice and series at best-of-seven promise to be spectacular

HC Bolzano - SG Cortina 3-2
Series: 1-0
The Bolzano super first-line is well controlled by Cortina's defence so goals come from the excellent performance by the third line: Enrico Dorigatti Tuomo Harjula and captain Christian Walcher answered to Ryan Menei's opening goal. With a thin roster and Edwardson, Meyers and Zisser injured, Bolzano suffers the fatigue: goalie Matt Zaba made some decisive save and before the second siren Alexander Egger saves on the goal-line a Menei shot. Same Menei scored his second goal in third period when coach Stefan Maier already pulled off goalie, but Bolzano resists to final assault and is now 1-0 in the series

HC Val Pusteria - HC Alleghe 4-2
Series: 1-0
Val Pusteria is the number one favourite for the title, Alleghe won relegation round and then eliminated Pontebba in quarter-finals, reaching a semifinal after six years, so Steve McKenna team can play this series without any pressure. Without long-time injured Alberto Fontanive and unexpected Mike Card's forfeit, Alleghe scares Val Pusteria in the first period scoring twice with Finnish Joni Haverinen and local talent Nicola Fontanive. Home team, with a full straight roster after the return of injured Matt Kelly and Max Oberrauch, equalized already in the first with star player David Ling and Max Oberrauchand take advantage before the first pause with Patrick Bona. The usual good game by Alleghe goalie Adam Dennis allow the team to remain in the game despite the fourth goal of the night, scored again by David Ling. Val Pusteria goalie Mikko Stromberg passes the remaining 40 minutes almost relexed, with only 20 saves at minute 60.

 

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