Showdown in Klagenfurt

“Final game seven is the highest of emotions”

Koch (left), Trattnig and Co. celebrated the Salzburg title on Klagenfurt ice in 2011.(Bild: Andreas Schaad)

The showdown takes place today in Klagenfurt - Salzburg's Eisbullen or the KAC: one of the most exciting series in the ice hockey league will find its champion. Legend Koch sees chances 50:50 and also remembers back.

Every ice hockey player dreams of a final seven. For the Salzburg and KAC cracks, everything is set for the showdown in Klagenfurt today. "Last game day, all or nothing, that's what everyone is looking forward to, a final game seven is the highest of feelings," describes "field hockey pensioner" Thomas Koch, who is a legend and won league championship honors with both teams.

Not only unforgettable for the 40-year-old from Klagenfurt: The final series in 2011, when the Bulls were already trailing 2:3 and forced overtime with Höneckl in goal in the showdown on home ice. In which Koch, whose transfer to the Red Jackets had already been made public, struck. Twice, because the first goal didn't count. "There's no game I get asked about more often," grins Tommy, who has switched to the real estate market.

 He says of this sporting highlight, like the final showdown at the KAC two years earlier (1:2): "Those are different chapters, now a new story is being written."

Lewington is questionable
"It's a worthy final between defending champions Salzburg and the best team of the season. The odds are 50:50, maybe the home advantage will help KAC. We'll have to wait and see which goalie has a stellar day," says Koch, looking forward to the game.

Tom Raffl also emphasized this at the final training session on Thursday: "We have to keep the emotions down, we know exactly what we need to win," explained the Bulls captain, who admitted that "no player can be at one hundred percent at this stage of the play-offs." So taking a breather is not a mistake.

"But if someone says we should play right away: I'm sure all of our team would jump right in," said the 37-year-old before taking the bus (there is probably a big question mark over Lewington's participation) to Klagenfurt. Where the "Buffalo" did not retire to the team hotel. "We're all brothers, so you always enjoy spending time with the lads."

It was the calm before the storm. The interest in the thrilling final series is huge. The TV broadcast of game six had already given PULS...24 a ratings record.

In addition to the two final duels, the two teams have already contested seven play-off series against each other (overall score: 5:4 for Salzburg) and have gone the full distance four times. "Nevertheless, the situation is new every time," admits veteran Raffl, who holds six Ice Hockey League titles and leads the Eisbullen field with a total of 44 (KAC 32).

The legionnaires Murphy and Rymsha are still missing a championship trophy, as is the strong junior Sinn. But that can all change if the Bulls win their eighth title in a row (out of a total of nine) on home ice today.