Release from 02.01.2026
The opening round of the new year in the Alps Hockey League delivered several surprises. HDD Jesenice, the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan and HC Gherdeina valgardena.it all defeated teams from the league’s top three. HC Meran/o also came close to an upset, eventually falling to Asiago in overtime. The all-Austrian clash between Bregenzerwald and Kitzbühel went all the way to a shootout, where the Tyroleans came out on top.
Jesenice record shutout against league leaders
HDD Jesenice stunned league leaders Sisak to open the new year. In a largely even first period, the Slovenians grabbed the lead. The hosts remained the more efficient side in the second frame and extended their advantage to 2–0. Jesenice’s goaltender kept a clean sheet in the final period as well, and Jesenice eventually sealed a 3–0 victory. It marked the third shutout of the season for Zan Us. While Sisak retained top spot thanks to the simultaneous loss of the Red Bull Hockey Juniors, Jesenice closed the gap to the middle of the standings.
Broncos win on the back of Conci gala
The Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan also pulled off an upset, edging the Red Bull Hockey Juniors 4–3. The Broncos made an efficient start and opened the scoring in the fifth minute. Although the Juniors had more of the play in the opening period, they were unable to find the equaliser. The Juniors remained the more dangerous side in the middle frame and briefly turned the game around to take a 2–1 lead. However, the hosts struck back before the end of the period. In the final frame, Davide Conci emerged as the match-winner. He netted a quick brace within just under seven minutes to complete his hat-trick. The Juniors pulled one back late on, but were unable to force overtime.
Gherdeina upset reigning champions Zell
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it became the third underdog to spring a surprise in the New Year round. The tenth-placed side recorded a 3–0 shutout win against the reigning champions. The hosts from Val Gardena came out flying, controlled the opening period and took a 2–0 lead with a quick double within one minute. Zell applied heavy pressure on goaltender Paul Hofer and Gherdeina in the second period, but were unable to get on the scoresheet. Zell continued to push in the final frame, but Hofer preserved his shutout. Stephan Deluca eventually sealed the 3–0 final score.
Kitzbühel edge Bregenzerwald in shootout
The Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel prevailed in a hard-fought New Year battle, defeating EC Bregenzerwald in the shootout. The visitors from Bregenzerwald made the stronger start and took a 2–0 lead after just over eight minutes. Kitzbühel pulled one back in the second period before the hosts restored their two-goal advantage. What followed was a standout performance by Mai Crnkic: the Slovenian struck twice to force overtime and then decided the game in the penalty shootout in favour of Kitzbühel. With the win, the Adler defended their top-five position.
Ritten remain solid against bottom side
Rittner Buam SkyAlps were one of the few favourites to deliver in this round, claiming a 3–1 road win over the Hockey Unterland Cavaliers. Once again, however, it was the underdogs who struck first. Ritten responded with the equaliser before the end of the opening period. In the middle frame, Diego Cuglietta scored his second goal of the night to put Ritten ahead for the first time. Manuel Öhler added the insurance marker in the final period to seal the 3–1 result.
Asiago grind out win over Meran
HC Meran/o also came close to an upset. In their home game against HC Migross Asiago, Meran battled their way into overtime but were ultimately beaten. Asiago enjoyed the stronger start and built a 2–0 lead by the 39th minute. Meran pulled one back in the second period and levelled the score five minutes before regulation time expired. Just 49 seconds into overtime, Ryan Valentini netted the game-winning goal.
Alps Hockey League, Fr, 02.01.2026
HDD Jesenice – KHL Sisak 3:0 (1:0, 1:0, 1:0)
Referees: HLAVATY, VOICAN, Arlič, Markizeti
Goals JES: Svetina (18.), Marin (27.), Slivnik (57.)
Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel – EC Bregenzerwald 4:3 SO (0:2, 1:1, 2:0, 0:0)
Referees: BENVENGU, WIDMANN, Rivis, Wucherer
Goals KEC: Aigner (31./sh), Crnic (44.), Crnic (47./pp), Crnic (65./SO)
Goals ECB: Posch (6./sh), Lipsbergs (9.), Kramer (39.)
Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan – Red Bull Hockey Juniors 4:3 (1:0, 1:2, 2:1)
Referees: GIACOMOZZI, RIVIS, Abeltino, Grisenti
Goals WSV: Conci D. (5.), Cianfrone (37.), Conci D. (49./pp), Conci D. (49./gwg)
Goals RBJ: Gesson (23./pp), Schuster (30.), Eliseev (59./pp)
Hockey Unterland Cavaliers – Rittner Buam SkyAlps 1:3 (1:1, 0:1, 0:1)
Referees: PINIE, VIRTA, Brondi, Brondi
Goals HCU: Eriksson J. (3.)
Goals RIT: Cuglietta D. (10.), Cuglietta D. (23./gwg), Öhler (58./pp)
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it – EK Die Zeller Eisbären 3:0 (2:0, 0:0, 1:0)
Referees: LAZZERI, WINKLER, Divis, Rinker
Goals GHE: Pitschieler (17./gwg), Buono (18.), Deluca (56.)
HC Meran/o Pircher – HC Migross Asiago 2:3 OT (0:1, 0:1, 2:0, 0:1)
Referees: MOSCHEN, SPIEGEL, Fecchio, Ilmer
Goals HCM: Stefansson R. (39.), Gellon D. (54./pp)
Goals HCA: Traversa T. (18.), Johnson C. (39.), Valentini R. (61./gwg)
©MATIAS DEMSAR