Despite a greater quantity of shots on goal (35-22), the Rittner Buam had to go home empty-handed on Saturday. Jesenice, in fact, cleverly took advantage of two occasions in the initial phase and then didn't let the blue-red come back. Nevertheless, the South Tyrolean hockey players can be satisfied: "This was the best game we have played so far against Jesenice. We played very well, maybe we could have even won. A performance like that is good for the morale", sport director Adolf Insam analyzes the game.

Now we have to look forward to Tuesday: in the Ritten Arena the best-of-five series has to be tied. In this intent, the Rittner Buam will be able to count again on MacGregor Sharp, but will have to renounce to Julian Kostner, who got sick in the meantime. It is still doubtful, moreover, if Kevin Fink and Hannes Treibenreif, who are still sickly, will be able to be employed. "On Tuesday we will have to win if we want to continue. But I am convinced that we can do it. It was clear on Saturday: we are on the same level", Insam is convinced. Thursday will continue with game 3, which will see the Rittner Buam engaged again in a journey of about 5 hours for the trip to Jesenice, 200 kilometers as the crow flies from home.

AlpsHL, Playoffs, semifinal series

Tuesday, March 29, game 2:

Rittner Buam - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice (8 p.m., Ritten Aren)

Thursday, March 31, game 3:

HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice - Rittner Buam (7 p.m., Športni Park Podmežakla)

Eventually Saturday, April 2 - game 4:

Rittner Buam - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice (Ritten Arena)

Possibly Tuesday, April 5th - game 5:

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

Rittner Buam - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice

Series (best of five): 0:1 (1:2)

Photo: Max Pattis