Release from 04.03.2026

Game two of the Pre-Playoff series on Thursday | Head-to-Head battle for second place in the Master Round

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In the Pre-Playoffs of the Alps Hockey League, three teams are already under heavy pressure on Thursday. After opening defeats, the EC Bregenzerwald, Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel, and Rittner Buam SkyAlps must win to avoid an early end to their season. In addition, two games are scheduled in the Master Round. The direct clash between the Red Bull Hockey Juniors and HC Migross Asiago for second place.

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The EC Bregenzerwald lost Game 1 of their best-of-three Pre-Playoff series 2–4 away at HC Meran/o Pircher. As a result, the team from Vorarlberg must win at home on Thursday to stay in the race for a quarterfinal spot. This will be a tough challenge, as Meran have won their last five games in a row. However, the South Tyroleans have not won in Bregenzerwald since December 26, 2023 – which equals three consecutive defeats there.

Gherdeina look to seal qualification in Kitzbühel
The HC Gherdeina valgardena.it also opened the Pre-Playoffs with a home victory. Their win against Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel was convincing (7–2). After the heavy defeat, the Tyroleans must respond quickly, as they need a home win on Thursday to avoid an early end to their season. So far this season, Kitzbühel have won both home games against the South Tyroleans, scoring six goals in each (6–5 OT, 6–2).

Cortina with home advantage and series lead
S.G. Cortina Hafro were the only team to win their opening Pre-Playoff game on the road and now have the chance to clinch the next round in front of their home fans. Their victory over the Rittner Buam SkyAlps was hard-fought and extremely close (3–2). It was already Cortina’s third win in the fourth meeting between the two teams this season.

Juniors vs. Asiago for second place in the Master Round
On the penultimate matchday of the Master Round, the Red Bull Hockey Juniors and HC Migross Asiago meet in a direct battle for second place. The Salzburg side currently hold a one-point lead over the Italians. Asiago won their first Master Round meeting narrowly by 2–1. During the regular season, however, the Juniors had the upper hand in two of three encounters. On Tuesday, Salzburg lost the derby in Zell am See 1–3, while Asiago celebrated a 7–4 road win in Sisak.

Sterzing close the Master Round against Sisak
In the second Master Round game, the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan face KHL Sisak. For the hosts from Sterzing, this will be their eighth and final appearance in the intermediate round. The bottom-placed Broncos have won only one game so far – away in Sisak, 6–5 after a shootout. The Croatian side currently sit in fifth place with a three-point lead over the Broncos. Should the South Tyroleans win in regulation time on Thursday, they would move ahead of Sisak in the standings. However, Sisak will face Asiago in their final game on Saturday. At present, the Croatians are struggling for form, having lost five games in a row and winning only once so far in the Master Round.

Alps Hockey League:
Do, 05.03.2026:
Master Round:
19:15 Uhr: Red Bull Hockey Juniors – HC Migross Asiago
Referees: HUBER R., WINKLER, Strimitzer, Veselka

20:00 Uhr: Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan – KHL Sisak
Referees: BENVEGNU, LAZZERI, Abeltino, Brondi

Pre-Playoffs:
19:30 Uhr: Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel – HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
Referees: OREL, PINIE, Fecchio, Wucherer

19:30 Uhr: EC Bregenzerwald – HC Meran/o Pircher
Referees: HOLZER, MOSCHEN, Dummermuth-Haas, Ilmer

20:30 Uhr: S.G. Cortina Hafro – Rittner Buam SkyAlps
Referees: PIRAS, VIRTA, Brondi, Grisenti

Watch all games live on Valcome.TV.

Copyright: Matthäus Kostner