Release from 01.01.2018
02.01.2018, 16:00: EC KAC II - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Referees: DURCHNER, KUCHER, Bergant, Gatol
The bottom-placed club has had some troubles in front of the opponent's net lately with only scoring one goal in each of the last four games. In the previous three Daniel Obersteiner, who also leads Klagenfurt's scoring charts, lit the lamp as he did in a 1:7 away defeat in Jesenice on Thursday. Despite suffering a derby defeat against Olimija, the steelers are on playoff course. The Slovenes have won all three AHL meetings with KAC.
02.01.2018, 19:15: Red Bull Hockey Juniors - HK SZ Olimpija
Referees: FICHTNER, SUPPER, Angerer, Legat
The Juniors have won ten out of their last twelve games and still have all chances for a top eight spot. They conceded the last defeat in Ljubljana, though, having the chance for revenge now. Olimpija is unbeaten for five games and has gotten some breathing space in the playoff race. Goalie Robert Kristan was guarantor for success in these games, conceding two goals against at the most.
02.01.2018, 19:30: EK Zeller Eisbären - FBI VEU Feldkirch
Referees: BAJT, LESNIAK, Arlic, Miklic
With three successive defeats Zell am See had some setbacks in the playoff race lately. I nthe first game of 2018 they face Feldkirch. After an up-and-down season start, the VEU is on target with having gained a top six spot. After two clear-cut win (8:1 and 4:1) in the previous two season meeting with Zell am See, the Vorarlberg team is also the favourite for the third encoutner.
02.01.2018, 20:00: Rittner Buam - HC Fassa Falcons
Referees: HÖLLER, RUETZ, F. Giacomozzi, Rigoni
Ritten has stood up to Asiago's onrush with two wins in the end of 2017. These wins also were very important for the Italian Final Four race as the Buam are on second place in the group what would be enoug for qualification. Now the champions have a must-win game against Fassa as the falcons are without a win for eleven games. In addition, in six AHL games against Ritten they have not earned a single point.
02.01.2018, 20:00: WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan - Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey
Referees: LEGA, MOSCHEN, Basso, Terragni
Asiago won all eight December games and have a 20 point-advantage to ninth-placed Broncos. The team of head coach Ivo Jan is two points behind a playoff spot and also has to settle an outstanding score with Asiago. Sterzing did not only lose the last game of 2018 against the vice champions, three of four season meetings went to Asiago's way. Both teams are on Final Four course.
02.01.2018, 20:30: HC Gherdeina valgardena.it - HC Neumarkt Riwega
Referees: BENVEGNU, WALLNER, M. Cristeli, Stefenelli
On Saturday Neumarkt ended a four-game losing streak with a home win against Gherdeina and brought new hopes for the Final Four race. Now the Wild Geese have to repeat their success in Wolkenstein. While both teams (Gherdeina is 14th, Neumarkt 15th) have only theoretical chances for a top eight spot anymore, Neumarkt still have chances for the Italian Final Four. They have also won two of three season meetings with Gherdeina.
02.01.2018, 20:45: S.G. Cortina Hafro - HC Pustertal Wölfe
Referees: FAJDIGA, LAZZERI, Bedana, Pagon
The most thrilling game of the new year takes palce in Cortina. Three days after a tight 1:2 defeat in Bruneck, the team of head coach Drew Omicioli really needs points. In the Alps Hockey League standings Cortina is just on 8th palce but in the Italian Hockey League Elite group they are out of a Final Four placement at the moment. However, Cortina not only won the last two AHL home games, they also have a two-game home winning-streak against Pustertal.
Photo: David S. Wassagruba