The importance of the fourth semi-final game between the Rotjacken and Salzburg was known in advance and was described as “pointing the way” or “decisive”. And if KAC had been able to equalize the series again, who knows how it would have ended in the end. After the 3-1 defeat at home, however, KAC now have their backs to the wall and would have to win three games in a row to make it through to the final. The game started promisingly from a home perspective. Petri Matikainen’s team started with a lot of energy and aggressive forechecking. But Lucas Lessio and Co. acted too complicated in the opposing zone, there was a lack of directness and shots on goal. So right at the beginning two power plays were not used. It was only in the 16th minute that Samuel Witting was able to use a margin for a well-deserved lead and put his colors ahead.
But after the break, the Mozart townspeople demonstrated their callousness. Troy Bourke, who put the puck in from the air, equalized in the 23rd minute. And while the KAC missed a total of three numerical superiorities in the first period, the Red Bulls demonstrated their power play – twice. Mario Huber and Peter Schneider each scored one more man on the ice within eight minutes and finally turned the game around. Paul Postma only hit the bar just before the break and Thomas Hundertpfund also missed a seater.
The home team went into the final section with a two-goal deficit, but they were unable to turn the game around again. Especially physically, the Salzburg seemed fresher in the final phase, won the majority of the duels and did not let the red jackets come up. Even when Matikainen took goalie Sebastian Dahm off the ice five minutes before the end, the goal failed to succeed. With the third defeat against Salzburg, the red jackets are already under pressure to win on Sunday.
