The Rittner Buam bet on the home field factor and aim at a tie in the series

Collalbo, April 1, 2022 - As in the quarterfinal series against S.G. Cortina Hafro, also in game 4 of the semifinal against HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice the Rittner Buam have to win in order not to go out. On Saturday at 6 pm the team from the South Tyrolean plateau will meet the Slovenians at home. In front of their own fans in the Ritten Arena the blue-reds want to win the ticket for the decisive game 5 that will be held on Tuesday.

In the second game of the semifinal series, the Rittner Buam had already proven to be tough in the Ritten Arena and defeated Jesenice 3:2. The 6:0 defeat on Thursday night in game 3 in Slovenia made Heiskanen's team back off a bit, but on the South Tyrolean plateau there is no sign of surrender: "We didn't deserve such a big defeat, but losing 1:0 or 6:0 doesn't change much. In the playoffs, only victories and defeats count", says sport director Adolf Insam with conviction.

Insam observes with some concern the absences among the Rittner Buam in the last games. Goalie Jake Smith, Julian Kostner and Manuel Öhler on Thursday were absent due to illness, earlier MacGregor Sharp, Kevin Fink and Markus Spinell had been. "I don't know if the trio of Smith, Kostner and Öhler will return to form in time. It would be a real shame if they have to be absent again. Jesenice was able to play the last match with the whole roster, but we are still missing players because of a flu", says the sports director annoyed. Nevertheless, he is sure: "We play at home. For this reason alone, we will give everything to make up for it and to be able to play game 5!"

AlpsHL, Playoffs, semifinal series:

Saturday, April 2 - Game 4:

Rittner Buam - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice (Ritten Arena, 6 p.m.)

Eventually Tuesday, April 5 - game 5:

HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice - Rittner Buam (Športni Park Podmežakla)

Rittner Buam - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice

Series (best of five): 1:2 (1:2, 3:2, 0:6)

Photo: Max Pattis