Bolzano first to the semis

15 Mar 2014 | Alan Ilijic

Bolzano foxes sweep out SAPA Fehervar and are the first team in the semis. Red Bull strike back, Villach and Linz on the verge.

Red Bull Salzburg come from behind 2-0 in the series and level the score at 2. Dornbirn surprised in the first two games with tight, one-goal wins and the tensions continue. With the next two wins from Red Bull the series is tied. Andreas Kristler got the game winner in overtime to break the series lead while Mark Cullen scored the game winner in Dornbirn putting the Bulls ahead 3:2 before Michael Boivin edging the opposition 4:2 in the end.

From that point the game turned utterly physical with misconducts and far too many penalties on both sides - unbelieveably enough during the final 15 seconds of the game.

Bolzano defeat the Hungarians far too easily kicking them out with a 4-0 win. Jaroslav Hubl earns a shutout in Game 3 and a 3:0 win in Italy while the series ended back in Hungary. It was tight but in the end the Foxes marched off with a 4:3 win.

Bolzano are the first through and will meet either Vienna, Znojmo, Villach or Dornbirn.

Villach seems like the most probable to join Bolzano as they got a drubbing in Villach in Game 4, 7:3 the final score. Villach came from behind 1-0 after the first game and now are on the verge of getting through with three straight wins and a possible fourth Sunday.

Linz are close as well to the semifinals, especially thanks to their first-ever win in Znojmo. All the games so far between the two were decided by a goal, one in overtime as Linz won the last two 4:3 and 3:2.

Sunday could be decisive for some, glorious for one side and bitter for the other or they could lengthen their lives and their seasons for a bit longer. SAPA Fehervar ended their season not the way they wanted, but they'll have to put up with it, learn from the experience and get better next season.