HC Bolzano suffered two heavy defeats to open the Champions Hockey League, but bounced back to beat TPS Turku on home ice Friday and then nearly did the same against Linköping HC on Sunday. Afterward, captain Alexander Egger tried to explain how it happened.

by Kurt Platter

BOLZANO - The Champions Hockey League did not start well for HC Bolzano, who lost 9-0 in Turku and 5-0 in Linköping. Few were optimistic when they were to host the same two teams on their home ice this past weekend, but they seemed like a different team completely, beating TPS Turku 4-2 and then narrowly losing to Linköping HC 2-1 on a goal 64 seconds before the final horn.

Veteran defenceman Alexander Egger is entering his 15th season with the club and fourth as captain. He's also captained Italy's national team the past two seasons. He commands a great deal of respect with HC Bolzano and was a leading factor in the team's EBEL championship last spring and its sudden turnaround in the Champions Hockey League. After Sunday night's game he answered a few questions about what happened.

Two terrible losses in Finland and Sweden, now a win and a very close defeat against the same two teams at home. What has changed in the last two weeks?

Before the first game we'd had only 10 on-ice practices as a team. The players didn't even known each other properly. In addition, we weren't used to the new ice surface yet. We knew that we weren't yet where we should be. At home, it also became easier to play. Our fans are like a wall behind us.

Even still, there's no question your team were big underdogs these two home games. How were you able to keep pace with these two Nordic giants?

We are a great group and both games played as a team. Everyone fought for each other and worked hard. I'm proud of what we've done here this weekend. We've proven that we can compete against two top European clubs and the EBEL and Italy are well represented.

Did TPS and Linköping underestimate your team after their big wins earlier?

TPS might have. After the quick 2-0 lead the Finnish team might have thought that it would be a walk again. But we improved a lot as the game progressed and goaltender Jaroslav Hübl was solid behind us. Linköping already knew about our 4-2 win and they came out with some great pressure early on. It was not easy to keep up with the pace.

What makes it even more amazing is that you played these two games with only three lines. How exhausted are the players now?

Of course you get tired towards the end of the game. TPS and Linköping really pressed us over 60 minutes, so there was little time to catch our breath. Unfortunately we have two injured players in Philip DeSimone and Rick Schofield. And Derek Nesbitt today played his first game.

You were just a minute away from getting at least another point. How tough is it to lose so close to the end like this?

Linköping was stronger and did not steal anything. Of course it hurts when you're so close to the end and they get the go-ahead goal. After that, we didn't have much time to respond.

What part has new coach Mario Simioni played in the team's performance?

He changed some things after the first two games. We implemented those changes in our game and played better than in Turku and Linköping. We're on the right track.