Asiago edge Unterland in eight-goal thriller
Asiago beat Unterland 6:5 in the Alpine Hockey League on October 3rd, a match that stayed tight until the final whistle. The home side took all three points at home, extending their winning streak to five games now.
I had called for the hosts before kick-off, 69 per cent confidence, and by then it was clear why. Asiago had won four of their last five before this one — including a 6:4 against Gerdeina and a 4:3 over Cortina — while Unterland had lost four of five, only managing a solitary victory against Salzburg 2.
and here's the thing — the scoreline doesn't tell you much about how it unfolded, because without minute-by-minute detail we're left to read between the lines. Eight goals in total, one goal difference, and neither side looked comfortable for long. The home side sat top of the table with six games played, five wins and just one defeat, while Unterland languished in eighth place after five games.
to be fair, the recent record for both sides told you this wouldn't be a straightforward affair. Unterland had dropped points in their last three outings — losses to Cortina, Akroni Jesenice and Kitzbühel — before their win against Salzburg 2. Asiago's only blemish had come in a heavy 2:7 defeat to Akroni Jesenice, but they'd bounced back with wins since.
the prediction came through, though not without the away side showing enough to make it interesting. Six goals for the hosts, five for the visitors — or the other way round, depending on how you view it. Either way, the table keeps Asiago at the summit after six games, and Unterland remain in the bottom half after five.
