Release from 05.01.2018
06.01.2018, 14:00: EC KAC II - Red Bull Hockey Juniors
Referees: BAJT, FICHTNER, Legat, Snoj
While Klagenfurt got off a bad start into the new year suffering clear-cut defeats against the Slovenian teams, the Juniors conceded a setback for their palyoff ambitions on Thursday. In a 0:3 home defeat against Jesenice, the Red Bulls were without a goal only for the second time this season. Having played the fewest games of all teams, the Juniors have all chances for a top eight placement. In the first two season meetings with Klagenfurt, the Juniors held the upper hand.
06.01.2018, 17:30: HK SZ Olimpija - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Referees: LEGA, MISCHIATTI, Arlic, Markizeti
Both Slovenian teams can look back to a very successful Christmas time: In the previous seven games Jesenice suffered two defeats and Olimpja only one. In the last derby on December 30, 2017 Olimpija got the first season win against their local rivals. Jesenice won the first three meetings and also decided both games at Tivoli to their favour. The visitors have won their alst four road games but Olimpija had three successive home wins, too.
06.01.2018, 19:00: Rittner Buam - HC Pustertal Wölfe
Referees: PIANEZZE, SUPPER, Bedana, Oberhuber
On Saturday the traditional derby between Pustertal and Ritten is on the agenda. Both teams have already qualified for the Italian Final Four, it's only about the placement now. In Alps Hockey League both are on playoff track with Ritten's postseason qualification being only formality any more. This season Pustertal won both season meetings by only one goal. It will be the second game for the wolves within 24 hours as the match between HC Pustertal and Fassa Falcons was moved to today due to very bad weather conditions.
06.01.2018, 19:00: HC Neumarkt Riwega - Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey
Referees: FAJDIGA, LESNIAK, M. Cristeli, Stefenelli
Asiago ahs won all ten games since December and is the measure of things in ALps Hockey League at the moment. In new year's two games they earned tight wins against Sterzing and Gherdeina. The yellow-reds also hit the ice as favourites against Neumarkt after winning the first two seasonmeetings +4 - Anthony Bardaro gained three goals and two assists in these games. Phil Pietroniro is still suspended. The Wild Geese lost six out of their last seven and have also missed Final Four qualification.
06.01.2018, 19:30: WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan - HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
Referees: DURCHNER, LENDL, Rigoni, Wiest
After Sterzing's losing streak came to an end, the Broncos gained momentum again. Yesterday they climbed back to a top eight spot and also made the Final Four qualification with a win in Neumarkt. As fourth team they scored more than 100 goals with Ben Duffy leading the team's charts (19 goals). The upcoming opponent from Gherdeina has suffered some tight defeats lately and ranks only 14th. In this season's three meetings there were only away wins with Sterzing getting two.
06.01.2018, 19:30: EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau – EK Zeller Eisbären
Referees: MOSCHEN, VIRTA, Bärnthaler, Gatol
On Saturday Lustenau plays its first game in 2018 when Zell am See comes to town. It's also a meeting of brothers Max and Franz Wilfan who lead their teams as captains. The previous three games were hard-fought with two going into overtime. Zell am See leads this season's stats with two wins and now both really need the points. Lustenau is trailing eight points behind a playoff spot with Zell am See being just a bit closer.
06.01.2018, 19:30: EC Bregenzerwald - EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
Referees: STRASSER, WIDMANN, Bedynek, Martin
Just 24 hours after today's road game against Feldkirch, EC Bregenzerwald faces Kitzbühel at home. Last week the Vorarlberg side suffered a 4:1 road defeat but seven days later they will have the chance for revenge. ECB builds on their home record as they conceded only one home defeat since mid October. In addition, the Eagles have lost all twelve road games with only earning three points.
06.01.2018, 20:45: HC Fassa Falcons - S.G. Cortina Hafro
Referees: HOLZER, LAZZERI, F. Giacomozzi, Kalb
Cortina received a heavy setback when losing the last four games - they were not able to return to a playoff spot and missed the Italian Final Four. The team of coach Drew Omicioli did not score a sing le goal in the first two games of 2018. It even tougher for Fassa who have lost all twelve games since mid-November. While Fassa has no more chance for a top eight spot, it's a lot at stake for ninth-placed Cortina who won the previous two season meetings.