Release from 12.11.2018
© (c) GEPA pictures / Mario Kneisl
Tue, 13.11.2018, 19.30: EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau – HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Referees: LAZZERI, LEGA, Basso, Vignolo
On Tuesday the game between EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau and HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice opens the 16th round of Alps Hockey League. While the hosts suffered a harsh defeat in the Vorarlberg Derby against Feldkirch (1:6) last Saturday, the Slovenian side returned to the winning way when declassing EK “Die Zeller” Eisbären 12:2 on the road. Lustenau is currently placed second, especially because the Vorarlberg side won five of six home games. Jesenice snatched both duels in the past season and won the last three meetings at Lustenau too. Besides, two of the league’s best scorers will face each other in that game. Marc-Olivier Vallerand (EHC) and Cimzar Tadej (JES) each have 22 points so far and are ranked 5th in this season points leader statistic.
Wed, 14.11.2018, 19.15: HK SZ Olimpija – EC „Die Adler“ Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
Referees: METZINGER, WIDMANN, Bedynek, Bergant
Kitzbühel hits the road this week with facing Ljubljana on Wednesday. After six consecutive home wins, the “dragons” suffered its first home defeat last weekend (1:4 against VEU Feldkirch). It was Olimpija’s second loss in a row. They had nine succeeded victories prior to that. EC “Die Adler” Kitzbühel lost the last two games too. They are still waiting for their first road win after regular time this Alps Hockey League season. In the last two meetings the home team always won. Ljubljana’s penalty killing is among the league’s best, with 88,9%. Kitzbühel survived 77,8% of its box play situations.
Wed, 14.11.2018, 19.30: EC Bregenzerwald – HC Pustertal Wolves
Referees: HOLZER, STRASSER, Martin, Rinker
EC Bregenzerwald hosts the undefeated leader HC Pustertal Wolves. The table-toppers from Brunico still have the maximum amount of points (39) and they become the chance to adjust the second longest winning streak in AHL history. League rival Rittner Buam had 14 consecutive wins from Oktober 8th to Dezember 7th in 2016/17. Besides having the best penalty killing among all teams (88,9%), the “wolves” impressed on the defensive end so far. They have only conceded just one goal against per game. After gaining only 10 points so far this season, the EC Bregenzerwald is ranked 14th. The “lions” currently caught only one point out of the last five games. But they booked a 4:2 win in their last home game against Pustertal. The Italian side won the remaining three meetings.
Thu, 15.11.2018, 19.15: Red Bull Hockey Juniors – EC KAC II
Referees: LOICHT, OFNER, Holzer, Kainberger
On Thursday the Red Bull Hockey Juniors face the bottom-placed team EC KAC II. The six-placed team from Salzburg is extremely strong at home as they have won the last six consecutive games in front of their home crowed. They convinced in power play so far as they used each third personal advantage for a goal. After five consecutive wins they lost last road game at Gröden after shootout. The Carinthian side lost the last twelve games and is bottom-placed in standings. During the international break the EC KAC II made some roster changes: They inked the Finnish forward Patrik Moisio and Christoph Duller comes back after an injury. At the same time, the team of headcoach Kirk Furey parted ways with Mario Petrovitz and Marek Tvrdon. These two teams met nine times in the past seasons. Salzburg gained seven wins.
Thu, 15.11.2018, 20.30: Hockey Milano Rossoblu – HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
Referees: RUETZ, WALLNER, Cristeli M., Mantovani
The first of two Italian duels will take place in Milano as the red-blues face HC Gherdeina valgardena.it. Lately, HC Gherdeina valgardena.it has shown an upward trend with three consecutive wins. They gained eight of nine possible points out of the last three games. The team of headcoach Partice Lefebvre did not had three wins in a row prior in the season. Milano is currently ranked 15th and secured four points in the last four games. It is the first game of these two teams in the Alps Hockey League ever.
Thu, 15.11.2018, 20.00: HC Fassa Falcons – EK “Die Zeller“ Eisbären
Referees: MORI, MOSCHEN, De Zordo, Slaviero
Before EK “Die Zeller” Eisbären hits the road with facing HC Fassa Falcons, the Austrian side presented EBEL legend Greg Holst as their new headcoach. He replaced Dieter Werfring, who part ways with the polar bears after the last harsh 2:12-defeat against Jesenice. Moreover, Peter Dilsky will strength their coaching staff too. The 13-placed team needs to catch up on the road with six consecutive losses. HC Fassa Falcons is currently ranked second-last. When beating EC KAC II on the last game day, the Italian side snatched up its first season win after regular time. In the previous AHL duels each team recorded two victories.
Thu, 15.11.2018, 20.30: S.G. Cortina Hafro – Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey
Referees: LESNIAK, PAHOR, Javornik, Miklic
S.G. Cortina Hafro crosses sticks with reigning champion Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey in the second Italian duel during next week Alps Hockey League action. After three consecutive losses in front of their home crowed, Cortina beat bottom-placed team EC KAC II 6:2. Due to being league’s second-best team in powerplay (26%), the hosts lost the last two road games. Asiago’ form curve points downwards as they lost the last two games after seven successive wins. Asiago won the last three meetings against Cortina only with one goal difference.