Ella Duken

Last weekend?s final round of the Austrian 2001/2002 men?s indoor season promised more excitement than in previous years, as SV Arminen finished the regular season in first place, while WAC, who have undisputedly dominated Austrian men?s hockey for many years, had to be satisfied with the runner-up spot, a fact that resulted in the unexpected substitution of longtime coach Mischa Bürkner for a coaching team of two, less than two weeks before the final round.

The first of two crossover games, between WAC and the third placed from the regular season, AHTC, was dominated by WAC from beginning to end, AHTC unable to find an appropriate strategy against the WAC players? clearly superior skills, fitness, and motivation.

Friday night?s second crossover game started off with a big surprise, as the 4th placed from the regular season, Post SV, stunned opponents and spectators alike with a three goal lead, but later had to concede three goals while scoring only one, which diminished their lead to one goal.

During second half, the game was mostly even. Arminen scored the equalizer from a penalty corner in the 34th minute, while Post SV failed to score from their short corners, or take advantage of a superiority in numbers when Arminen player Patrick Minar received a yellow card. Minar on the other hand scored only seconds after his return onto the field. Two minutes from the end, Post SV substituted their goalkeeper for a sixth field player, only to receive two more goals for the final score of 7-4.

Thus AHTC and Post SV met in Sunday?s game for third place, Post starting off strong again for a 3-0 lead after less than seven minutes, but losing drive and concentration over time, allowing AHTC to rebound for a halftime tie at three. This time Post managed to regain a grip on the game scoring four more times until AHTC substituted the goalie for another field player with two minutes to go. Unlike Post the previous day, AHTC managed to take advantage of this, scoring twice, but in the end running out of time.

The final between WAC and Arminen turned out much less suspenseful than
anticipated or hoped for. While the regular season?s two meetings between the two teams had ended in a tie and an Arminen win respectively, WAC this time took control of the game from the beginning. Even though the Swiss umpires? decisions became increasingly obscure and disputed as the game progressed, WAC?s triumph was justified in the end, even if not as clear as the result (8-3) suggests.

The jury?s vote for WAC?s Ernst Bauer for Goalkeeper of the Tournament came as a surprise to many, while Arminen?s outstanding Tomasz Laskowski was the obvious choice for Best Player.

Sunday?s program also comprised two relegation games, which didn?t bring about any change though. The fifth placed team from First Division?s regular season, HC Wien, controlled its game against the second from Second Division, Universitas, and defeated them 9-5, while First Division?s sixth placed HC Wiener Neudorf beat Second Division champion HAK Traun 9-6 in a closely disputed match.

Meanwhile, the women?s competition continues until February 24. Taking into account the absence of a final round, the girls of HC Wiener Neudorf have already fixed their first place, without giving away a single point in seven games, with a total goal difference of 69-14 and a current 8 point lead on second placed Post SV who earned 13 points from 8 games.

Men?s Finals Results:
1st crossover game: WAC ? AHTC 11-4 (6-2)
2nd crossover game: Post SV ? SV Arminen 4-7 (4-3)
3rd/4th place: AHTC ? Post SV 7-5 (3-3)
1st/2nd place: WAC ? SV Arminen 8-3 (3-2)
1st relegation game: HC Wien ? Universitas 9-5 (3-1)
2nd relegation game: HC Wiener Neudorf ? HAK Traun 9-6 (2-3)

Rate This Article

Select Here  5 Stars  (Best Rating)   4 Stars   3 Stars   2 Stars   1 Star  (Worst Rating)

Your opinion counts.
Rate this article or enter your comments below.