Karlovy Vary heads towards final

A great turnaround and a well-deserved advance to the finals. In their fourth game, Karlovy Vary showed exactly what they needed against Salzburg. In the second period of the match, they reversed the unfavorable development and went on not only to win the group, but above all to progress to the final of the eighth annual President Cup.

West Bohemians goalkeeper Psohlavec was surprisingly replaced in the goal by Oršulák, who withstood the initial pressure of Salzburg. He resisted the pressure even when the Austrian team was outnumbered, which the referees ordered for irritating Postl. However three seconds after its expiration Felix Häibock made his way to the end, who was able to reach his own shot while falling. Vasilij Zelenov could have increased Red Bull's lead on two big occasions, but Oršulák pulled away and the second time the pole helped him.

A completely different Energy entered the second act. Right from the edge, Bálka pushed his way past Windhofer, his attempt went wide of the post. Then Salzburg offered their opponent a numerical advantage with a bad substitution. Although Karlovy Vary did not take advantage of this, they put the Austrians under pressure, which continued even after the end of the penalty. It was only a matter of time before the West Bohemians would score. Šimon Šilhan opened the scoring after a 2-on-1 escape. In the 31st minute, Johannes Gruber was sent off for unsportsmanlike conduct. Five seconds were enough for Karlovy Vary's Vít Zahejský to convert the numerical advantage into the second goal of Energie Karlovy Vary. Salzburg could have returned to the game when Matyáš Malý was sent off, but instead they conceded again in their own power play. Vasiliy Zelenov had a reduction on the stick, but his attempt ended up on Oršulák again. Karlovy Vary went into the third act with a two-goal lead.

Right from the beginning of the last part, Salzburg was more active. The reduction from Schellanger's stick was a well-deserved reward for the effort. But Karlovy Vary was able to respond when Matyáš Mikeš pushed his way past two defending Austrians. However, the Energy did not let the victory in the group and the promotion to the final take away. Although Salzburg's pressure grew closer to the end of the match, the reduction came only a second before regulation time. After winning 4:3, Energie Karlovy Vary advances to the finals.