HCP 1/7

HCP 3 - 0 OLL

https://en.sportnews.bz/article/ice-Hockey/icehl/Bruneck%27s-star-goalie-a-natural-boy-with-a-clear-message plus https://swtorstrategies.com/2025/12/somehow-palpatine-returned.html

Well, we need to prove to ourselves that we're not in for just another soul-sapping series against HCP, as this first game had all the hallmarks of our previous convincing defeats at their hands. The best way to do that is to play better at home. Even if we lose, we need to score on Pasquale, simply to show it's possible in the rest of the series. 

In P1, it was pretty even, despite a shot differential in our favour. I also enjoyed the fact that one commentator, the usual Italian guy, was speaking Italian while the 'technical commentator', was speaking, naturlich, in German. Very Bruneck of them!

P2 saw a lot of pressure from HCP onto Tokarski's net, which he dealt with admirably. However, a classic Olimpija moment ensued, which continues to transcend coaching regimes here: a PPG from a too many men penalty. It just can't happen when there's this much on the line and we were duly punished for it. 

It took till the last 10 minutes of P3 for a juicy chance from a well-worked move to happen for us, off the back of a Mahkovec carry-in. We have to try that more instead of the endless dump-and-chase. Sadly, soon after this positive showing, who else but Rok Tičar (who even the Italian commentator identified as a Jesenice man) scored another PPG. To be fair, it was a wonderful assist from just behind the goal line across the to the other side, but I did get a sense that our retreating coverage was slightly casual after a solid early clear on the PK. 

With 6:59 remaining, Mahkovec took a careless penalty in the OZ, which is another unforgivable thing to be doing at this time of year. If I remember correctly, Ville Leskinen's OZ trip was what doomed us against Pusterstal two years ago in the pre-playoffs. We've got to be smarter than that this time around. 

2:44 we go empty net, 2:34 HCP with the ENG after an almost immediate loss of possession. No late 6-on-5 miracles to be had in this 1st game of the series against an Italian team. 

Overall, Tokarski played well, but we didn't generate consistent offense, didn't use PPs to our advantage and gave away too many penalties to properly compete with yet another sizeable and fearsome playoff team put out by HCP.  Let's hope that all changes tomorrow at home in front of a sellout crowd.