Release from 15.02.2017
There’s no breathing-space in Sky Alps Hockey League. On Thursday most teams are already in action for the second time this week. In Master Round the top game between Rittner Buam and second-placed HC Pustertal Wolves takes place. In both Qualification Rounds the persecutors are under pressure to stay in the playoff race.
HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice - Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey
Both teams suffered a defeat in the first game after the international break. While Jesenice conceded a clear-cut defeat in Lustenau after an early lead, Asiago lost the home game against Pustertal and also the second place in the standings. At the moment the Slovenes are just one point behind the Italians, it's a real battle for the pick right as the first three teams of Master Round can chose their opponents in qurater finals. Asiago won both of the first two season meetings 3:2 with Anthony Nigro scoring the game winner these games.
Rittner Buam - HC Pustertal Wolves
The top game of Master Round takes place in Klobenstein with leader Rittner Buam hosting first persecutor Pustertal. The Italian champions have 17 points to their credit and a four-point advantage to the upcoming opponent. However, their rivals have done great on the road in the last couple of weeks as Pustertal earned points in their last eight away games, winning seven of them. In December the Holick side lost 0:3 at Ritten, though. HCP netminder is the best goalie at the moment with a 93.7 save percentage.
Red Bull Hockey Juniors - HC Fassa Falcons
The Juniors of Salzburg play two games within 24 hours. Today they host Cortina in a crucial match for the playoffs and one day later Fassa comes to town. After the departure of key players, the falcons showed great fighting spirit in the last two games. After a win over Bregenzerwald, they stretched Gherdeina to the limit on Tuesday. With suffering a tight 1:2 loss, the Italians have no more playoff chances anymore.
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it - EC Bregenzerwald
Gherdeina fired goalwards in their home game against Fassa from everyplace but in the end they only scored two goals. However, it was enough for a very important win and second place in Qualification Round A. Now the "fury" has to go one better in their home game against Bregenzerwald. The bottom-club from Vorarlberg is out of the playoff race . After a surprising win over Cortina the Austrians suffered four defeats in a row. In the previous three season meetings between these clubs 27 goals were scored. Gherdeina won two games.
EK Zeller Eisbären - HC Neumarkt Riwega
Two days after suffering the first defeat of Qualification Round B in Neumarkt, Zell am See welcomes the Wild Geese for a return game in front of their crowd. The Austrians even opened the scoring but lost 1:2 in the end, throwing away a chance to extend their lead in the standings. The polar bears have a four-point advantage to Neumarkt at the moment, having played one game more. In the previous three matches between these clubs the home side always won.
EC KAC II - WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan
There is another reunion in Klagenfurt. On Tuesday EC-KAC II lost the away game in Sterzing 1:4 and now they host the Alto Adige team. It was an extremely important win for the broncos as leader Zell am See lost at the same time. Sterzing has a five-point deficit but they played one game less than the table-toppers. The Broncos won all three season meetings against Klagenfurt with Patrick Mair earning at least one point in every game. In addition, Francis Verreault-Paul already scored five goals against the Carinthians.
Sky Alps Hockey League, Master Round
16.02.2017, 18:30: HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice - Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey
Referees: FERRINI, KAMSEK, De Zordo, Pagon
16.02.2017, 19:30: Rittner Buam - HC Pustertal Wolves
Referees: MARRI, MOSCHEN, Giacomozzi, Rigoni
Sky Alps Hockey League, Qualification Round A
16.02.2017, 19:30: Red Bull Hockey Juniors - HC Fassa Falcons
Referees: LAZZERI, WALLUSCHNIG, Bärnthaler, Wiest
16.02.2017, 20:30: HC Gherdeina valgardena.it - EC Bregenzerwald
Referees: STRASSER, SUPPER, Cristeli, Waldthaler
Sky Alps Hockey League, Qualification Round B
16.02.2017, 19:30: EK Zeller Eisbären - HC Neumarkt Riwega
Referees: FICHTNER, LENDL, Bartl, Krausz
16.02.2017, 19:30: EC KAC II - WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan
Referees: STERNAT, WIDMANN, Miklic, Moisi