Release from 20.09.2025
The opening day of the new Alps Hockey League season provided plenty of excitement and close matchups on Saturday. Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel claimed the top of the standings with a 6-2 home victory over Gardena. Also off to a successful start were the Rittner Buam SkyAlps, the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan, KHL Sisak, and defending champions EK Zeller Eisbären.
Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel made a powerful statement with a clear 6-2 win at home, taking the early lead in the Alps Hockey League standings. Although the visitors from Gardena struck first, Kitzbühel turned the game around before the end of the first period. Jakob Engelhart impressed with a brace, and while the South Tyroleans pulled back to within one goal, the eagles could not be stopped and celebrated a commanding victory.
The Rittner Buam SkyAlps also kicked off the new season successfully, defeating Asiago convincingly 5-1 at home. After a cautious start, Robert Öhler put the hosts ahead in the opening period. Goaltender Furlong kept his team in control with strong saves in the second. In the final period, Cuglietta, Marzolini, and Öhler again struck in quick succession to decide the game. After the visitors pulled one back, Simon Kostner sealed the well-deserved 5-1 victory.
The Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan celebrated a strong start in Neumarkt, taking the first points of the season back to Sterzing. Goals from Eisendle and Cianfrone in the opening period laid the foundation for the win. The Broncos extended their lead to 4-1 in the second, before the Hockey Unterland Cavaliers battled back to within one goal. In the final minutes, Cianfrone sealed the deal with an empty-netter.
In front of nearly 1,900 fans, EK Zeller Eisbären triumphed in a finals rematch against HDD Jesenice. The Pinzgau side took the lead in the first period thanks to a power-play goal from Paul Schmid, then extended their cushion to 4-1 in the second. The Slovenians pulled back to 4-3 by the 50th minute of the final period, but could not complete the comeback.
A spectacular offensive battle unfolded between the Red Bull Hockey Juniors and KHL Sisak. The Croatians jumped out to a 4-0 lead after just over 30 minutes, only for Salzburg to storm back with four goals in just three minutes, tying the game 4-4. After a scoreless final stretch and overtime, the visitors from Sisak ultimately prevailed in the shootout, securing their opening win.
Alps Hockey League:
Sat, 20.09.2025
Rittner Buam SkyAlps - HC Asiago 5:1 (1:0, 0:0, 4:1)
Referees: MOSCHEN, STEFENELLI, Abeltino, Brondi
Goals RIT: R. Öhler (18., 49.), Cuglietta (41.), Marzolini (45.), Kostner (50./PP)
Goal HCA: Stevan (49.)
Hockey Unterland Cavaliers - Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 3:5 (0:2, 1:2, 2:1)
Referees: PINIE, VIRTA, Cusin, Fecchio
Goals CAV: Galassiti (23.), Seniut (46./PP), Zerbetto (48./PP)
Goals WSV: Eisendle (18.), Cianfrone (18., 60./EN), Conci (36.), Rämö (38./PP)
Red Bull Hockey Juniors - KHL Sisak 4:5 SO (0:1, 4:3, 0:0)
Referees: RUETZ, WINKLER, Divis, Wendner
Goals RBJ: Krainer (35./PP2), Baumann (36./PP), Juhola (37., 38.)
Goals SIS: Zavrski (5.), Panasenko (22.), Larionovs (26./PP), Idzan (31.), Marinkovic (65./PS)
Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel - HC Gherdeina valgardena.it 6:2 (2:1, 2:1, 2:0)
Referees: HUBER, PIRAS, Ilmer, Strimitzer
Goals KEC: Engelhart (10., 32.), Crnkic (18.), Aigner (40.), Krainz (42.), Loshing (56./PP)
Goals GHE: Senoner (8.), Pitschieler (35.)
EK Die Zeller Eisbären – HDD Jesenice 4:3 (1:0, 3:1, 0:2)
Referees: BROCK, LAZZERI, Grisenti, Preiser
Goals EKZ: Schmid (12./PP), Zauner (26.), Wilfan (29.), Putnik (33.)
Goals JES: Svetina (26., 50.), Slivnik (46.)
Photo: Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel