Salzburg has match puck

1:0! Hundertpfund puts the KAC back in the lead

Salzburg defeated the KAC 3:2.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

What excitement in game five of the ice hockey final series. And a bitter end for the KAC: First, "Doppelpack" Raffl shot the Salzburg team into overtime with the 2:2 equalizer just four seconds before the end - in which Meyer secured the 3:2 victory for the team from Mozartstadt. And they now have a match puck for the title on Tuesday.

Salzburg came out of the dressing room with a lot of pressure in the first few minutes, but the Red Jackets survived unscathed. The KAC had the first big chance, but Mursak's shot at the second post was blocked. In the tenth minute, the Klagenfurt Arena cheered for the first time: a wonderful build-up from their own third, Bischofberger gets the puck on the wing in the attacking third. He served it perfectly for Hundertpfund and he just had to hold his stick out. Just like in the last match in Salzburg (lost 5:6 after overtime), the KAC captain made it 1:0.

KAC captain Thomas Hundertpfund scored in minute 10 for a 1:0 lead.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Bulls knocking on metal
Shortly afterwards, a powerplay by the Red Jackets came to nothing. Two minutes before the break, the more than 4,000 fans were left breathless - Salzburg's Mario Huber only hit the bar, meaning the score remained 1:0 after 20 minutes.

KAC goalie Sebastian Dahm was on his toes in the first 40 minutes.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

Goalies remained victorious
The second period continued to be a battle of equals, with KAC goalie Dahm saving his colleagues in the 23rd minute - he stopped a solo run by Salzburg's Paul Huber and saved the shot. At the other end, Haudum fed the advancing Fraser, who was unable to get the ball past the visitors' goalie Tolvanen. And Haudum also failed to beat the well-positioned Finn after a solo run down the wing. That's why it was 1:0 for the Red Jackets after 40 minutes. 

Raffl through Dahm's legs
However, the lead did not last long in the final period: 85 seconds had elapsed when the KAC goal was scored: Raffl took a concealed shot after winning the face-off - and the puck flew into the goal via Dahm's skate, 1:1 (42'). On the counter-attack, Tolvanen made a great save against Mursak and in the subsequent KAC power play against Herburger (45').

Raffl scored the 1:1(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The arena stands! 
But then came Bischofsberger: After Hundertpfund's pass, the Vorarlberg native slammed the puck into the corner of the net - his 101st goal, 2:1 (47'). And the whole Klagenfurt arena stands still. . .

Equalizer 4.8 seconds before the end
But then the fans suddenly fell silent! Just 4.8 seconds before the end, Murphy shot from an almost impossible angle, Raffl easily deflected it to equalize the score at 2:2 - Dahm didn't look good. Now it's overtime. . .

Meyer was completely free
Meyer scored from a free position after seven minutes in the powerplay to give Salzburg a 3:2 away win. The Bulls now have a match puck for the championship title on Tuesday!

"We won't let ourselves down!"
"It was a tough fight. We always believed in each other and fought for each other," said a jubilant Meyer at the end. In any case, the KAC must equalize on Tuesday! KAC defenseman Unterweger: "We just couldn't get it over the time and Salzburg was simply luckier in overtime. It was bitter, but we certainly won't let ourselves down!"