Innsbruck’s cracks equalized the quarter-final series against the Caps with an excellent performance in Vienna – goalie Swette shone in the 4-0 win.
The second game started with a big surprise. René Swette was between the posts for the Haie. A reaction to the performance of one-goalie Tom McCollum in the 4: 6 in Innsbruck. Coach Mitch O’Keefe only decided on the day of the match, showing a golden touch. Senna Peeters helped to make it 1-0 After the goal festival in game one, both teams were a little more cautious and defensive, and there were hardly any dangerous scenes in the early minutes. The 1-0 came almost out of nowhere. Again, the sharks took the lead. Rookie Senna Peeters (20) used a nice action on Adam Helewka and Daniel Leavens. “If you have the chance, you have to hit the puck,” said the U21 top scorer in the league in the first period. Corey Mackin finally made it 2-0 after a quick turnover.Swette was strong in goalThe game then became rougher. Brady Shaw made it 3-0 in the first power play with the help of goalie Starkbaum. The Haie got on the nerves of the Caps, defending much better this time. Swette played well and was lucky with a crossbar shot (30′). The 34-year-old was also able to keep the goal clean in the last third and got the Haie’s first shutout since February 11, 2018! Mackin hit the final score into the empty goal. “That was absolutely our best defensive performance of the whole year,” beamed Swette. On Sunday we continue in Innsbruck.
