Dornbirn’s roller hockey team loses playout game against Wimmis.
Dornbirn. Last Saturday, RHC Dornbirn suffered a tough defeat against Wimmis and after the third game of the best-of-five series, they already have their backs to the wall. The omens for the game were again bad, with Hagspiel, Mostögl, Jochum and Sahler half the team was missing. Stockinger helped out and filled the bench, Fässler dared a brief appearance, the remaining five players had to bite through.
After a cautious initial phase, in which neither team wanted to make the first mistake, it was the guests who took the lead after 15 minutes with a concealed Wittwer long-range shot. However, the people of Messestadt came back two and a half minutes later and were able to equalize thanks to a rehearsed move by Brunner to Gomez del Torno.
After the half-time break, the game picked up a lot of wind, Dornbirn increased the pace and the pressure, but the guests scored the goals. Wimmis pulled away within ten minutes with four goals to 1:5 and shocked the home side. Brunner & Co continued to fight hard and bravely, were mostly in possession of the ball, but the Swiss didn’t allow anything anymore. Gomez del Torno was able to score the goal to make it 2:5, but captain Brunner failed when trying to reduce the deficit from the penalty point. Despite constant fire in the final phase, Wimmis goalkeeper Kauter, who made room for 20-year-old Töndury in the final minute, could no longer be defeated and Dornbirn ended the game with a clear 2:6 defeat.
It remains to be seen whether Dornbirn can come back and bring the series into a crucial fifth home game. “But one thing is certain, Wimmis has now gained an advantage, can use the first match point next Saturday and force the end of the season,” regrets RHC President Michael Schwendinger. (cth)
