Obligation to win in the final
Two psychologists also believe in the KAC’s chances
Attack! All of Klagenfurt hopes that the Red Jackets will bring the final series back to Klagenfurt and prevent Salzburg's championship party this Tuesday. For two Carinthian psychologists, the "reset button" is now needed - and you can't celebrate victories too early. Everything is still possible for "Krone" columnist Tommy Koch.
Madness! The Red Jackets haven't lost a single game after 60 minutes in the final series - and yet they are still trailing 2:3 and have the first match puck against them this Tuesday. In Salzburg, the Furey squad will have to fight against the end of the season. Because the Bulls have now managed to equalize late for the second time - and for the third time in the final series (previously also in the semi-final against Bolzano) they were able to cheer in overtime. "That means we can't let it come down to overtime again," emphasized KAC captain Thomas Hundertpfund, whose team had to be rebuilt after the two nasty slaps in the face.
"Salzburg has pressure too!"
The "Krone" spoke about this with regional sports psychologist Dr. Thomas Brandauer, who is following the final series: "What happened in the past has to get out of people's heads. After discussing the mistakes, the reset button should be pressed. For the first time, a club can end the series - Salzburg is also under pressure and must be able to end the series first. This is an opportunity for the KAC. It's important not to think about the future, but only about every single small task in the game."
"One percent can make all the difference"
His psychologist colleague Dr. Robert Korb, who also spends a lot of time studying ice hockey, takes a similar view: "With their backs to the wall, the KAC has nothing left to lose. Heroes are born in this phase, it's an opportunity for every player." For him, the late goal conceded on Sunday was also psychological: "The whole bench was standing and ready to cheer. Often just one percent is missing, but that can make all the difference. It's like a skier who gets caught up in the last goal. But that's human - that's why there are so many late goals in ice hockey and soccer. But we have to avoid that now."
A premiere is needed for the showdown
The KAC needs a premiere in order to bring about the showdown and game seven in Klagenfurt on Friday: they have trailed 2:3 in a play-off series six times so far and have never been able to turn it around. "Salzburg have been more cool-headed so far, which is why they're leading in this final - we have to change that. We know exactly how to score goals," said Johannes Bischofberger. After all, they have already beaten the Bulls 8:1 this season, scoring the most goals in the league with 234 (Salzburg has 201).
"We're like 22 brothers!"
Matt Fraser, the crack who scored a "brace" in his last appearance in Salzburg on Friday, also remains positive: "It's the game of the year, we have to enjoy it and get everything out of it. Beating us for a fourth time is tough - we're a unit, like 22 brothers pulling together. That's how we want to bring the series back to Klagenfurt - then anything is possible." There are no changes to the squad - but youngster Peter Schneider returns for Salzburg.
It's very bitter for the KAC. They didn't play badly, invested a lot - only to end up losing twice in a row. And of course Salzburg earned it, but there was also a lot of luck involved. This time, goalie Sebastian Dahm faked the puck in with his own skate at 1:1, then Ryan Murphy hit Thomas Raffl from a very tight angle at 2:2. But luck usually turns at some point in such a long series, it can't always be on one side. Salzburg puts a lot of pucks on goal, one can always bounce in - Raffl and Co. therefore have to be kept away from their own box.
However, it is also clear that the KAC must make better use of their chances - at 2:1 through Jan Mursak and later in extra time through Niki Kraus, the game should have been decided. The biggest task now awaits KAC coach duo Kirk Furey and David Fischer: they have to make sure their boys put the last two bitter games behind them. Now it's time to forget, clench their buttocks and get the very best out of themselves once again. The KAC has often surprised this season. Now the leaders have to lead the way and carry the whole team with them.
And you can turn around a 2:3 in a final series - we proved that in the 2010/11 final with Salzburg against the KAC of all teams. We were behind and goalie Reinhard Divis had injured his shoulder. But we threw everything into it, didn't think too far into the future and were rewarded for it.
Salzburg played very cleverly and defended skillfully. But they have five legionnaires in defense, players like Murphy or Dennis Robertson also have a lot of quality up front and get involved in the attacks. But if everyone in the Red Jackets can play to their maximum in Salzburg this time, I'm convinced that we'll see a final game in Klagenfurt.
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