Release from 02.04.2025

“Best-of-7” final series starts on Saturday | Zell first Austrian AHL finalist

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Both EK Die Zeller Eisbären and SIJ Acroni Jesenice qualified for the final of the Alps Hockey League with a sweep. The “best-of-7” final series therefore starts on Saturday, April 5, in Zell am See. While Zell am See are the first Austrian club in the history of the multinational league to reach the final, Jesenice are in the final for the third time. In 2023, the Slovenian team won the title for the only time to date.

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Zell am See is still unbeaten in the current playoffs. After a 4:0 win against EC Bregenzerwald in the quarter-finals, the “Polar Bears” also prevailed 4:0 against the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan in the semi-finals. For the team from Pinzgau, reaching the semi-finals was already a premiere - now they are crowning their strong season with a place in the final.
EKZ forward Philip Putnik on reaching the final: “It was the expectedly difficult game four in Sterzing. They tried everything again, we remained very patient. We then scored the goals in the third period and so we're in the final. It's just awesome. We're looking forward to the final, a full rink and a great series against Jesenice!”

Jesenice in the final for the third time
While Zell am See is eagerly awaiting its finals premiere, Jesenice is already contesting its third finals series. In 2023, they were crowned champions for the first time with a 4:2 win over Cortina. The year before, they were narrowly beaten 3:2 by Asiago. Last season, Jesenice surprisingly missed out on the playoffs as defending champions, but this season they returned to their former strength. They first eliminated Cortina 4:1 in the playoffs and then swept defending champions Rittner Buam SkyAlps 4:0 out of the competition - although three of the four games were only decided in overtime.
JES defender Maks Selan after qualifying for the final: “It was a really tough series. We stayed calm the whole time even things did not go our way and in the end it paid off for us. Zell am See is another tough opponent for sure. They are a great team and I expect a really tough final.”

Zell am See with a clear advantage in the direct season comparison
Zell am See and Jesenice have already met five times this season - with the Austrians winning four of these duels. In the Regular Season, the “Polar Bears” won two out of three encounters (4:1, 2:4, 3:2), in the Master Round they were victorious in both games (4:3, 4:2). Looking at all AHL games, Jesenice is ahead in the head-to-head with 13:8 victories.

Finals schedule:
Saturday, 05.04.2025, 19:30: EK Die Zeller Eisbären - SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Tuesday, 08.04.2025, 19:00: SIJ Acroni Jesenice - EK Die Zeller Eisbären
Thursday, 10.04.2025, 19:30: EK Die Zeller Eisbären - SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Sunday, 13.04.2025, 20:00: SIJ Acroni Jesenice - EK Die Zeller Eisbären
Tuesday, 15.04.2025, 19:30: EK Die Zeller Eisbären - SIJ Acroni Jesenice*
Thursday, 17.04.2025, 19:00: SIJ Acroni Jesenice - EK Die Zeller Eisbären*
Saturday, 19.04.2025, 19:30: EK Die Zeller Eisbären - SIJ Acroni Jesenice*

*) if necessary

All games will be streamed live on www.valcome.tv.