Nerves are on edge

VSV coach pelted with beer by his own fans

VSV coach Marcel Rodman was viciously attacked in Bolzano.(Bild: Rene Krammer)

Madness! VSV has its back to the wall in the play-off series against Bolzano with a 0:3 lead. And apparently that's why the fans' nerves are on edge: as the "Krone" found out, VSV coach Marcel Rodman was pelted with beer during the first game in Bolzano.

In addition to the Adler's mediocre performance - they have lost all three play-off duels - the VSV fan club "Absolut Villach" also caused quite a shake of the head recently. With an unbelievable action: In the first duel in Bolzano, coach Marcel Rodman and goalie coach Patrick Machreich were showered with beer during the second period break.

They also destroyed a toilet and clashed with the police. The club received a video from Bolzano and, after analyzing the footage, even banned one fan from the arena. And rightly so! It's easy to do without fans like that.

VSV crack Maxim Golod (second from left) is suspended for game four against Bolzano.(Bild: Kuess)

Two penalties for VSV
Otherwise it's win or go for the Eagles - it won't be easy! Also because the penalty panel suspended Maxi Golod for three games for a foul on Frank for obstruction and Andrew Desjardins for two for tripping Di Perna. Bolzano's Valentine got away with one match for tripping Johannes Tschurnig. The penalties are anything but understandable!

VSV goalie "JP" Lamoureux plays his 100th play-off match.(Bild: Kuess)

100th play-off match for Lamoureux
But VSV must now put that behind them - and believe in themselves. There is plenty of room for improvement. Offensively and defensively. The only crack who can't blame himself so far is "JP" Lamoureux. Today is a special game for the 39-year-old goalie - his 100th play-off match in the Austrian top league. "I hope there's something to cheer about at the end. The first win gives you a lot of confidence. I firmly believe that we can do it."

0:3 was only turned around once
For "JP", discipline above all has to improve. "We have to stay away from the penalty box, we can't win a game there. Then we have to be able to do more with the puck, have more influence on the match."

Only one 0:3 turned around A 0:3 in a best-of-7 series has only been turned around once since the league was founded in 2000. In 2009/10, Vienna (with Marcel and David Rodman!) led 3:0 in the semi-final against Linz, but the Wings went on to win four games in a row.