Bolzano one step away from finals, Val Pusteria leads the series

25 Mar 2012 | Davide Tuniz

Foxes hammers Cortina and next Tuesday can close the series. Alleghe fights tooth and nail in Brunico

HC Bolzano - SG Cortina 8-0
Serie A most likely has its first finalist judging from what Bolzano showed (and Cortina didn't) tonight in game #3 of playoffs semifinals. Adolf Insam team totally dominate the game with two goals from Jordan Knackstedt and coach's son Marco Insam and two more from the "local-boys" line, with Enrico Dorigatti and captain Christian Walcher. An awful night by Cortina's goalie JP Levasseur - five goals and just 18 saves before to be replaced by back-up Renè Baur - is countered by second consecutive shut-out by Bolzano's Matt Zaba.

Val Pusteria - Alleghe 6-4 (3-0,2-1,1-3)
Val Pusteria is the main favourite for final victory, Alleghe has nothing to lose after a very positive season, so Steve McKenna team's is playing this series without any pressure. And tonight game is a clear demonstration: Val Pusteria almost closes the question with a roaring start - three goals in the first five minutes - in the first period. At 39.04 Joe Cullen scores 5-1 Val Pusteria and game seems over, but again Alleghe's power-play is lethal: three goals in seven minutes drive Alleghe at 5-4. The experience of Val Pusteria veterans and a good performance by goalie Kevin Desfosses, replacing Mikka Stromberg after Finnish goalie blunders in game #2, secures a capital victory. Joe Cullen scores his second in the night with empty net