Release from 24.08.2025

Bolzano wins Südtirol Summer Classic | Preseason victories for KAC, Innsbruck and Pustertal

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Six games involving ICE teams were played on Sunday. HCB Südtirol Alperia captured the Südtirol Summer Classic title with a final win over Škoda Plzeň. HC TIWAG Innsbruck came out on top in the all-ICE clash against the Pioneers Vorarlberg. HC Pustertal also claimed a victory against Ingolstadt, while EC-KAC wrapped up its preseason with a win over Rosenheim. The Vienna Capitals and EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV, meanwhile, both suffered defeats.

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HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. Škoda Plzeň
HCB Südtirol Alperia lifted the Südtirol Summer Classic trophy thanks to a 2-0 win over Škoda Plzeň. Goaltender Gianluca Vallini stole the show in the intense final, making numerous key saves on his way to a shutout performance. After a scoreless opening frame, the Foxes struck midway through the second period when Gersich buried from the slot. Plzeň pressed hard for the equalizer in the final period but could not find a way past Vallini. With seconds left on the clock, Marchetti sealed the victory with an empty-net goal. For Bolzano, it was the second Summer Classic title after first winning it in 2019. The Foxes now shift their focus to CHL action in Sweden and Finland next weekend.

HC TIWAG Innsbruck vs. BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg
In the first preseason clash between two ICE teams, Innsbruck prevailed 4-2. The Sharks grabbed the lead with a shorthanded goal in the opening period and doubled their advantage on the powerplay in the second. The Pioneers showed resilience, capitalizing on HCI mistakes to tie the game 2-2 heading into the third. In the final frame, Innsbruck regained full control, regained the lead with a point shot, and sealed the win with an empty-netter. It was the Sharks’ first win of the preseason, while the Pioneers suffered their first defeat after two straight victories.

Starbulls Rosenheim vs. EC-KAC
EC-KAC wrapped up its preseason with a 3-0 win over the Starbulls Rosenheim. The Red Jackets played a compact defensive game, backstopped by goaltender Sebastian Dahm who came up with several big saves. Offensively, Klagenfurt broke the deadlock in the second period and extended the lead to 2-0 with a shorthanded tally from Jan Muršak. In the third, the Carinthians controlled play and secured the shutout with an empty-net goal. The win was overshadowed by injuries to Matt Fraser and Tobias Sablattnig, both of whom had to leave the game early, but overall the Red Jackets closed out their preseason on a strong note.

HC Pustertal Wölfe vs. ERC Ingolstadt
HC Pustertal delivered a strong performance at the Vinschgau Cup, defeating German powerhouse ERC Ingolstadt 6-4. The Wolves stormed out of the gate with three first-period goals, but the Panthers battled back and even managed to take the lead in the third. Pustertal, however, showed great character, equalized shortly after and then turned the game around with a late surge. With this statement win against last year’s DEL regular season champions, Head Coach Jason Jaspers’ team gained a major confidence boost heading into the next stretch of preseason.

EC Landshut vs. EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV
VSV fell 4-3 in overtime against Landshut. The Eagles had a strong start, took an early lead and went toe-to-toe with the German DEL2 side throughout the game. After falling behind, Villach battled back with great determination and tied the game late in regulation on a highlight-reel strike from Nikita Scherbak. In overtime, however, Landshut converted on a quick counterattack to claim the win. Despite the narrow defeat, VSV showed speed, intensity and fighting spirit in a strong preseason display.

Grizzlys Wolfsburg vs. Vienna Capitals
The Vienna Capitals suffered their first preseason defeat in Klagenfurt, falling 4-1 to the Grizzlys Wolfsburg. The Caps opened the scoring in the first period when Mitch Hults capitalized on aggressive forechecking. They held firm on multiple penalty kills but conceded the equalizer midway through the second and allowed another just before intermission. Wolfsburg pulled away early in the third with two more goals to secure the result. Despite some promising moments, the loss was a setback for Vienna, whose preseason continues on Thursday with an away game at Slovan Bratislava.

Preseason, win2day ICE Hockey League – Sunday, 24 August 2025
HCB Südtirol Alperia vs. Škoda Plzeň 2:0 (0:0,1:0,1:0)
HC TIWAG Innsbruck vs. BEMER Pioneers Vorarlberg 4:2 (1:0,1:2,2:0)
Starbulls Rosenheim vs. EC-KAC 0:3 (0:0,0:1,0:2)
HC Pustertal Wölfe vs. ERC Ingolstadt 6:4 (3:1,0:1,3:2)
EC Landshut vs. EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV 4:3 OT (1:1,1:1,1:1)
Grizzlys Wolfsburg vs. Vienna Capitals 4:1 (0:1,2:0,2:0)