No from the NHL club
Red-white-red was the KAC’s trump card for the final
After the 4:0 sweep in the semi-final series over Pustertal, the Red Jackets have to wait nine days for the start of the final - the opponent will be determined between Salzburg and Bolzano. Strong: 78 percent of Klagenfurt's goals were scored by Austrians. "Krone" columnist Thomas Koch analyzes why the KAC is in the final and what is still possible.
Tuesday at midnight on the way home from Bruneck to Klagenfurt, the "Krone" overtook the KAC bus in Lienz - where the Red Jackets fortified themselves with a "Big Mac" and co. at "McDonald's" after the 5:3 away win and their place in the final. Fully deserved! Because the way they had dominated the semi-final against Pustertal was magnificent. They also had everything under control for two thirds of the 5:3 victory - before Pustertal's desperation became a nuisance once again. But the red wall held firm - and with the 4:0 win they also secured a sweep in the series against the South Tyroleans.
Ganahl as play-off scorer
What makes the success even more special? The fact that the Austrians were the big trump card in the KAC's run to the final. Manuel Ganahl (five goals), Lukas Haudum, Niki Kraus (four each) and Co. scored 28 of 36 goals in the play-offs - that's a fantastic rate of 78 percent!
Only 27 percent for Pustertal
By comparison, the locals had less of an impact on the other semi-final teams. For example, 60 percent of Salzburg's goals were scored by Austrians, 55.5 percent by Italians for Bolzano and just 27 percent for Pustertal. "We have a lot of good Austrians - in all four lines," emphasizes Kraus. "It's simply fun!"
Kraus with best season
The 27-year-old is already playing his eighth season in Klagenfurt, scoring more often than ever before. 20 points in the basic round, now already four goals in the play-offs. Kraus: "I get so much trust from the new coaching team, I get to play in a great line with Herburger and Haudum."
Two days off
The Red Jackets will have nine days off before the final on Friday, April 5 - they will not train again until tomorrow, Friday, after a two-day break. "I've been a bit ill, some of the players are struggling and now we can recharge our batteries," said the Viennese. Who would he like to face in the final? "It doesn't matter whether it's Bolzano or Salzburg, their series should last seven games!"
No clearance for Nickl
There will probably be no help in the final from defenseman Thimo Nickl, who is playing in North America with Wheeling (ECHL). His club would have let him go to Klagenfurt some time ago (has registered his rights for Europe and him here too!). But NHL club Pittsburgh Penguins (Wheeling is their second farm team) turned him down. The 22-year-old is already under contract with the KAC for next season.
Everyone outgrows themselves
Madness! The KAC continues to soar. In the first few weeks of the season, the players still had to get used to the new system. But since then it's been unbelievable. Despite my long career, I've rarely seen a team deliver so consistently from the start of the season until well into the play-offs. If there are absences, the next young and hungry cracks immediately step up and fulfill their tasks.
This is also thanks to the coaching team of Kirk Furey and David Fischer. They bring a positive energy to the team and inspire their boys. That's exactly what makes a good coach. Because almost all the players - including Clemens Unterweger, Thomas Hundertpfund, Niki Kraus, Marcel Witting and Johannes Bischofberger - are growing beyond themselves this year.
And when things get tight, the KAC can go one better. Like in the third semi-final game at home, when they scored two more goals immediately after equalizing.
Even if Jan Mursak hasn't scored as many goals as he did in the basic round, I still think he's a big help with his commitment. Of course, it's possible that his injury or the grid will hinder him. If you've always been used to a visor, that makes a difference.
The nine-day break until the start of the final is not always an advantage. On the one hand, it's good to be able to recover and focus fully on the final. On the other hand, you do lose a bit of rhythm. But the KAC is already in play-off mode and will get through it.
I would like to see a final between my two former clubs KAC and Salzburg - for me, Klagenfurt would be the favorite.
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