Release from 23.12.2025

Five Games on Boxing Day

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As usual, there is no Christmas break in the Alps Hockey League. Play resumes on December 26 with a five-game schedule. Among others, defending champions EK Die Zeller Eisbären will face the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan, while second-placed KHL Sisak can move to the top of the standings with a regulation-time win against HC Gherdeina valgardena.it, as league leaders Red Bull Hockey Juniors are not in action. In addition, there will be a direct battle for fifth place between EC Bregenzerwald and the Rittner Buam SkyAlps.

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On Friday, EK Die Zeller Eisbären host the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan. The team from Austria, currently third in the standings, has won both previous meetings this season (4–2, 3–2). However, on Monday the Salzburg side suffered a heavy 0–4 defeat away at Sisak in the top clash. It was Zell am See’s first loss after three consecutive wins. Ninth-placed Sterzing, seven points behind fifth place, most recently lost 3–6 in Val Gardena. It was one of three defeats in their last five games.

Sisak can take over the lead
KHL Sisak got back on track on Monday with a 4–0 home win over Zell am See after previously suffering two consecutive losses. As a result, the team in second place is now just two points behind league leaders Red Bull Hockey Juniors, who are free from play on Friday. With a regulation-time victory against HC Gherdeina valgardena.it, Sisak can therefore take over the top spot in the standings. The Croatians defeated Val Gardena 6–3 at home in late November but lost 1–2 on the road. The South Tyroleans, currently 11th in the table, have recently found better form, winning two straight games after previously losing three in a row.

Battle for fifth place between Ritten and Bregenzerwald
Fifth-placed Rittner Buam SkyAlps visit sixth-placed EC Bregenzerwald, with both teams tied on 39 points. Bregenzerwald celebrated an emphatic 8–3 home win over Asiago in their most recent outing. It was one of two victories from their last five games. Ritten, meanwhile, suffered a 2–4 home loss against Jesenice, ending an impressive five-game winning streak. In their only meeting this season so far, Bregenzerwald prevailed 5–3 away in Ritten.

Asiago looking to end losing streak in Kitzbühel
HC Migross Asiago has lost its last three games and dropped to seventh place in the standings, but is still just one point behind fifth-placed Ritten. Six points ahead of them are Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel in fourth place. The Tyrolean side has won both previous encounters against Asiago this season (4–3/SO, 6–3). Most recently, Kitzbühel claimed a narrow 4–3 overtime road win at Unterland, while Asiago fell 2–5 to Cortina. In each of their last three losses, the Italians conceded at least five goals. With a total of 94 goals allowed, Asiago has the third-weakest defense in the league. By comparison, Kitzbühel has conceded just 70 goals so far (fourth-best in the league).

Cortina and Meran close out the Christmas Gameday
In the fifth and final Friday game, S.G. Cortina Hafro hosts HC Meran/o Pircher. With five straight wins, Cortina is currently the league’s hottest team. In the standings, the Italians sit in eighth place, just three points behind fifth. On Monday, they recorded a 5–2 victory over Asiago. Meran, meanwhile, pulled off a surprise 3–2 shootout win against league leaders Salzburg. For the improving South Tyroleans, it was one of three wins in their last five games. Despite this, they remain 12th in the table, already twelve points behind the crucial fifth spot. Meran won the most recent meeting with Cortina 3–2, but Cortina claimed the first encounter of the season with a 3–0 victory.

Alps Hockey League:
Fri, 26.12.2025:
19:30: EC Bregenzerwald – Rittner Buam SkyAlps
Referees: HUBER, SPIEGEL, Dummermuth-Haas, Seewald J.

19:30: Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel – HC Migross Asiago
Referees: MOSCHEN, WINKLER, Fecchio, Ilmer

19:30: EK Die Zeller Eisbären – Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan
Referees: OREL, UNTERWEGER, Strimitzer, Wucherer

19:30: KHL Sisak – HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
Referees: LEBEN, METZINGER, Arlic, Preiser

20:30: S.G. Cortina Hafro – HC Meran/o Pircher
Referees: LAZZERI, VIRTA, Brondi, Cusin

Watch all games live on Valcome.TV.

Copyright: Max Pattis