Bolzano’s captain Daniel Frank (right) is under pressure with goalie Sam Harvey (left) and the rest of the team. © Vanna Antonello
As the big favorite, HCB Südtirol Alperia went into the quarter-finals against Black Wings Linz. But after three games, the underdog leads the best-of-7 series 2-1. Game 4 takes place in Linz on Tuesday evening from 7:15 p.m. HCB captain Daniel Frank answered our questions beforehand.
March 14, 2023
Von:
Thomas Debelyak
When we reach Daniel Frank late Monday afternoon, the 28-year-old striker is sitting with his teammates on the team bus heading to Linz. After training in the morning, the Foxes set off towards Upper Austria around noon, where an immensely important match is scheduled for Tuesday evening, which, by the way, will also be broadcast live as a public viewing in the H1 event space at the Bolzano exhibition center.
In game 4 of the quarter-final series, the winner of the regular round, Bozen, can either regain home advantage and put the series at 2:2. Or Linz claws the first match puck with a win. But you don’t want to think about that in the Foxes’ house, as Daniel Frank confirms in the interview.
After three games, HC Bozen is 2-1 behind in the series against Linz. Surprised yourself?
Daniel Frank: “I think everyone thought there was an easier way. Maybe that’s a bit of a problem too. But to advance you need to win four times. A win on Tuesday in Linz would be very, very important, not only to regain home advantage, but also for morale, for head.”
Why is HCB struggling so far in this series?
“The problem is scoring goals. Of course, Linz is good at the back and blocks everything ‘to tear’. Nonetheless, we need to clear our minds and start scoring goals like we used to, like we’ve been doing all season.”
“When you go into the playoffs first, you don’t want to get busted against seventh.”
Daniel Frank
From the outside you get the impression that the team is very nervous…
“I don’t think I’m nervous. There is logically a tension because we have big goals. When you go into the playoffs first, you don’t want to be busted against seventh. But you’re always under pressure at this stage of the season because everything is important. However, we have an experienced team and players who have been in a situation like this before.”
How does the HCB want to turn things around now?
“The effort is right, it’s the little things that we have to improve. We simply have to be more concrete in front of goal, finish better, improve the special teams, then it will definitely work.”
Bolzano’s Cole Hults (right) in a duel with Linz’s Marc-André Dorion. © 2023,Vanna Antonello
As captain, how do you deal with the situation? Are you looking for a conversation with your teammates or do you sometimes hit the table in the locker room?
“I’m currently playing the calmer in the team. I don’t want to make the boys nervous and I try to bring in the necessary composure. I just want us to play our game the way we’re used to. The commitment is there, everyone runs and gives everything, that’s certainly not the reason. Now it’s just a matter of being smarter.”
Everything is still open, but what would a quarterfinal loss against Linz mean?
“That would be really bad for us. We have big goals. If you go into the playoffs first after such a good regular season and are eliminated against seventh, that would be really bitter.”
ICE Quarterfinals, Game 4 (Best-of-7) – Tuesday, 7:15 p.m
Black Wings Linz – HCB Südtirol Alperia
Serie: 2:1
Fehervar AV19 – Red Bull Salzburg
Serie: 0:3
Vienna Capitals – HC Innsbruck
Serie: 2:1
EC KAC – VSV (7:30 p.m.)
Serie: 2:1
