Lustenau triumph

EHC Lustenau travelled to Salzburg for Saturday evening's second leg against the Red Bull Hockey Juniors with a two-goal lead from Thursday's 4:2 home win. The Vorarlberg side, who had come off second best against the "Bulls" in the final in each of the past two seasons, prevailed this time despite a 2:3 defeat and claimed the Austrian Alps Hockey League crown.

The second leg got off to the perfect start for Lustenau, with Chris D'Alvise converting the first power play to give them an early lead (9). After Julian Lutz equalised on the power play in the 18th minute, D'Alvise responded immediately with Lustenau's second goal in the 19th minute. Salzburg therefore once again needed three goals to at least force overtime.

The Juniors were unable to do so in the second period, as a wall by the name of Anthony Morrone stood in their way, turning aside shot after shot. Lustenau held on to their lead into the final period, when Salzburg had to throw everything at it. Vladislav Polegoshko gave the home side hope again for the final ten minutes with the equaliser. When Nikolaus Heigl then put Salzburg ahead for the first time (56.), this final clash was wide open again.

However, Lustenau withstood the pressure in the closing minutes and deservedly secured the championship title. "I would like to warmly congratulate EHC Lustenau on winning the title, their first in the Austrian championship of the Alps Hockey League. They laid the foundations for this success in the first leg and also contested the second leg in a high-quality, evenly matched game," said ÖEHV Vice-President Nicolas Stockhammer as he presented the trophy to the Vorarlberg side.