Release from 12.08.2019
For a few days now, the Alps Hockey League teams have started one-ice practice and headed into first scrimmages past weekend. While the Vienna Capitals Silver tested twice, including one AHL-internal game against EC KAC II, the Steel Wings Linz and the EC Bregenzerwald played the first preseason game. Further, with the EC “Die Adler” Stadtwerke Kitzbühel and the VEU Feldkirch two Austrian participants in Alps Hockey League strengthened its roster for the upcoming season. Both teams inked young Austrians.
Four more preseason games in the books
During the past weekend four Alps Hockey League preseason games were played, as newcomer Vienna Capitals Silver showed up twice. After a 4:8-defeat against Titanok Szekesfehervar on Thursday, the Caps faced the EC-KAC II in the first AHL-internal test, grabbing a 5:0 shutout win. After Richard Schlögl opened the scoring in the 14th minute, the guests doubled up in the second frame, being more active in the whole middle period. The EC-KAC II revealed many problems on the powerplay and in the final frame the Viennese made it more comfortable with three more goals. Fabian Ranftl made a brace.
On Saturday too, the EC Bregenzerwald opened its preseason campaign with a 5:0 shutout against the Swiss side Pikes EHC Oberthurgau. Right from the beginning, the “Wälder” had the game under control, with new arrival Sam Antonitsch opening the scoring in the first. Despite some minutes being one man down in the second, the team of head coach Markus Juurikkala enhanced the lead and grabbed a clear win in the end. At Budweis, second newcomer Steel Wings Linz got a harsh defeat against HK Ertis Pawlodar, losing 0:9. “The difference between these two teams was glaring. But my team gained a lot of experience, which we can build on in the season”, Karel Soudek, head coach of Linz, said.
Until Wednesday three more preseason games are scheduled. On Monday and Wednesday the HC Fassa Falcons and the HC Gherdeina valgardena.it face each other twice, while the Vienna Capitals Silver head into their third game taking on SHK Hodonin (CZE).
Alps Hockey League preseason activities:
08.08.2019, 19:30: Vienna Capitals Silver vs. Titanok Szekesfehervar 4:8 (1:2, 0:4, 3:2)
10.08.2019, 17:00: EC-KAC II vs. Vienna Capitals Silver 0:5 (0:1, 0:1, 0:3)
10.08.2019, 20:00: EC Bregenzerwald vs. Pikes EHC Oberthurgau 5:0 (1:0, 2:0, 2:0)
11.08.2019, 17:00: HK Ertis Pawlodar vs. Steel Wings Linz 9:0
12.08.2019, 21:00: HC Fassa Falcons vs. HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
13.08.2019, 18:30: Vienna Capitals Silver vs. SHK Hodonin
14.08.2019, 21:00: HC Gherdeina valgardena.it vs. HC Fassa Falcons
Here you find AHL’s full preseason schedule.
Roster activities at Kitzbühel and Feldkirch
With 24-year-old Florian Janny the EC “Die Adler” Stadtwerke Kitzbühel hired a second goalkeeper for the upcoming Alps Hockey League sesaon. The Austrian played 21 games for the Liwest Black Wings Linz in the past. Last year he showed up for WSG Wattens Penguins. “The first on-ice practice felt good and I am happy to be part of the eagles in the coming season”, Janny said.
Patrick Stückler left the EC Panaceo VSV towards the VEU Feldkirch. The 20-year-old Austrian player completed twelve Erste Bank Eishockey Liga games past season. Moreover, forward Tobias Fender signed a try-out contract at the Vorarlberg side. He arrived from HC TWK Innsbruck Juniors and played one AHL-game for Kitzbühel last year.
Fotocredit: (c) EC-KAC II