Release from 21.01.2022
Saturday is the last game day in the first phase of Alps Hockey League regular-season. Seven games will be played, with five teams still having (theoretical) chances to reach the Master Round of the best six teams. Red Bull Hockey Juniors (#5) and S.G. Cortina Hafro (#6) are close.
The game between EHC Lustenau and HC Meran/o Pircher has been cancelled due to medical precautions.
All games that had to be postponed in the first phase of regular-season due to medical precautions will not be made up and have been cancelled without replacement.
Alps Hockey League | 22.01.2022 | Schedule:
Sat, 22.01.2022, 7.00 pm: EC Bregenzerwald – Rittner Buam
Referees: HOLZER, PINIE, Pace, Spiegel. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
In any case, the Rittner Buam will start the Master Round as the third best team – even with a win at EC Bregenzerwald, the South Tyroleans would not improve their ranking due to their inferiority in the direct duel with runner-up Asiago. For the Vorarlberg side, which won the first season duel in January – thanks to an excellent performance of goalie Karlo Skec (46 saves) – with 4:1, the participation in the Top-6 is out of reach. Both teams are looking for form after only one win from five games recently, so they can then start the intermediate round with confidence.
Sat, 22.01.2022, 7.00 pm: HC Gherdeina valgardena.it – EC-KAC Future Team
Referees: EGGER, LAZZERI, Basso, Piras. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
After the 2:3 defeat in Vienna on Thursday, HC Gherdeina valgardena.it has only a minimal theoretical chance to reach the top-6. The South Tyroleans have to win against the EC-KAC Future Team after regular playing time and hope that Cortina does not score and Fassa or Zell am See does not get a win. Both teams did not have a good form available, suffering four defeats each. The previous six duels in Val Gardena went to the home team, only in the last appearance in February 2021 the young "Rotjacken" took a point (2:3 SO).
Sat, 22.01.2022, 7.00 pm: Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan – BEMER VEU Feldkirch
Referees: BAJT, REZEK, Brondi, Snoj. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
BEMER VEU Feldkirch remains hot in the Alps Hockey League: After a weak start to the season with only 14 points from the first 21 games, the team from Vorarlberg collected 23 points from the last nine games. They have not lost in seven games and have played the last six road games without defeat. Feldkirch wants to continue this run against Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan, which won their last two games. The last duel in Sterzing was won by VEU only after shootout despite 6:2 advantage.
Sat, 22.01.2022, 7.00 pm: SHC Fassa Falcons – Vienna Capitals Silver
Referees: STEFENELLI, WUNTSCHEK, Da Pian, Puff. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
SHC Fassa Falcons still have a theoretical chance to enter the Master Round of the Alps Hockey League. The Italians need a win for this in any case – and at the same time have to hope for defeats from Salzburg and Cortina. And the "Falcons" also showed rising form, even if their eight-game winning streak came to an end on Thursday. For the Vienna Capitals Silver, surprisingly victorious against Gröden on Thursday, it's about the first road points this season, so far the Austrian capitals lost all twelve road games outright with a goal ratio of 21:60.
Sat, 22.01.2022, 7.00 pm: Red Bull Hockey Juniors – HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Referees: HLAVATY, LESNIAK, Bergant, Schonaklener. | >> Free-Livestream <<
The Red Bull Hockey Juniors have the best cards in the race for the top 6, but also the strongest opponent facing. The Salzburg side, currently in fifth place, is definitely qualified with every win. In case of a defeat, the duo Cortina and Fassa may not win. However, the young "Bullen" have gained plenty of self-confidence in the last two rounds, beating two of the top-3 with Ritten (3:4 SO) and Asiago (2:1). Now they have to face the superior league leader HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice, which suffered their last defeat on November 26th (4:7 @EHC). In the first duel of the two teams, the leader had to go into the shootout after a two-goal lead.
Sat, 22.01.2022, 7.00 pm: Steel Wings Linz – S.G. Cortina Hafro
Referees: LEHNER, LOICHT, Matthey, Voican. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
S.G. Cortina Hafro is the lone team fighting for the top 6 that has to compete on the road, as the Italians have the qualification in their own hands: with a win they are definitely qualified, with a defeat Fassa and Zell am See would have the chance to reach the Master Round. But the Italians are in good form, winning the last four consecutive games, but now coming out of the forced break. The last game was their first duel of the season with Linz, their upcoming opponent (5:3). The Austrian side lost in the last five games in a row, on Thursday with 3:11 Jesenice. Cortina won the last four direct encounters.
Sat, 22.01.2022, 7.00 pm: EK Die Zeller Eisbären – Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey
Referees: HEINRICHER, HUBER, Eisl, Schwighofer. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
EK Die Zeller Eisbären welcomes Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey at the end of regular season, as the Salzburg side only have a chance to finish in the top-6 if they win after regulation and Cortina (after regulation) and Fassa lose at the same time. Newcomer Adam Pauliny makes his debut in the jersey of the EKZ. On the other hand, convalescents Henrik Neubauer, Jürgen Tschernutter, Thomas Grabmayr and captain Hubert Berger are still unable to play. Most recently, the "Eisbären" showed two convincing victories, while Asiago lost to Lustenau on Thursday. Regardless of the final result, the Italians will finish the basic round in second place.
Fotocredit: Vito De Romeo