The first period started with disappointment for the Rittner Buam.  Only 2.33 minutes in, Lindgren scored the first goal for the visiting team: After a deposit of Castlunger that surprised Ritten-Goalie Treibenreif, the puck found its way in the net.  In the 6th minute of the game, Giacomuzzi scored the potential tie goal, but it was disallowed because of a high stick. Especially in the first third, the Buam had their difficulties capitalizing on good scoring chances. In the 7th minute, Spinell failed to score on a good chance against Vay, six minutes later the goalie of the Fassa Falcons was also spot on by a shot from Simon Kostner (13th). The shots taken by Quinz (14th) and Sailio (15th) did not find their way behind the goaltender either, on the other side Treibenreif was locked in against March (17th) and Tedesco (18th) once each. With the narrow 0:1 deficit for Fassa, the teams went to the locker rooms for the first time.

In the second period, the two opponents met eye to eye, with chances on both sides. In the 22nd minute, Vay saved a great shot by Frei, on the opposite side of the ice Treibenreif was also up for the occasion as seconds later he saved a chance from Luca Biondi. After almost exactly six minutes played in the second period, the Buam finally scored the long-awaited equalizer: In their own end of the ice, the Rittners started the counterattack, Markus Spinell picked up the puck and had the entire right lane open in front of him. Of course, he wouldn’t let himself miss this chance twice, Spinell pulled away and finished with a hard shot into the short side corner to make it 1:1. Just a few minutes later it could well have been 2-1, but on the power play Osburn, Julian Kostner and Uusivirta all failed to score against the brilliant performing goalie of the Fassa Falcons. On the opposite side of the ice, the man between the posts was ready. Treibenreif distinguished himself first with a double save against McParland (31st) and then in the duel with Felicetti. Partly because of the strong goalkeepers, partly because of the weak chances on both sides, there were no more goals to cheer for in the rest of the second period and going into the next break the game was a 1:1 tie.

In the third period, the Rittner Buam made the offensive difficulties of the previous two periods forgotten.  Early in the third period, the Rittner Buam got lucky when March hit the post after a rebound save from Treibenreif (41st) - that would have reclaimed the lead for the Fassa Falcons.  A few minutes later the Rittner took advantage of their chances. On the powerplay, Uusivirta made a pass to Osburn, who didn't take long to score with a slapshot, giving Rittner Buam the 2-1 lead (47.54). In the 53rd minute Rittner scored to make it 3:1 when Vay saved a shot from distance by Lutz, but then Sailio pounced of the rebound and passed it to Sharp, whose shot got by the Fassa goaltender (53.05).  Only two minutes later, the home side was once again jubilant when Julian Kostner, after a beautiful set up by Fink, made it 4:1 (55.56). Although the guests scored shortly before the end of the game by McParland to make it 4:2 (57.01), the game was already out of reach. An Empty-Net-Goal by Simon Kostner 12 seconds left in the game was the final point in which was an entertaining match.

Immediately afterwards, the best players from both teams were awarded - this is new this year at Ritten. At all home games this year, the two best players selected will receive a prize sponsored by the Loacker company. The first two to earn the award this year were Zach Osburn (Rittner Buam) and Adam Vay (Fassa Falcons).

Rittner Buam - Fassa Falcons 5:2 (0:1, 1:0, 4:1)

Goals: 0:1 Lindgren (2.33), 1:1 Spinell (25.59), 2:1 Osburn (47.44), 3:1 Sharp (53.05), 4:1 Julian Kostner (55.56), 4:2 McParland (57.01), 5:2 Simon Kostner (59.48)

Photo: Max Pattis