Release from 23.01.2026

Juniors travel to Zell am See for the derby | Asiago can secure playoff spot

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Five games are on the Alps Hockey League schedule this Saturday. League leaders Red Bull Hockey Juniors face the EK Die Zeller Eisbären in a top clash on the road. Meanwhile, Asiago could clinch its playoff berth in Jesenice, and in the race for the Top 5, Sterzing and Kitzbühel battle for crucial points.

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EK Die Zeller Eisbären – Red Bull Hockey Juniors
The frontrunner from Salzburg visits reigning champion Zell am See for a true derby thriller with playoff vibes. After a convincing 7–2 road win in Unterland, the Pinzgau side enters the game full of confidence. They currently sit third in the standings, level on points with Sisak and six behind Salzburg. The Red Bulls boast the league’s best offense (133 goals), best defense (83 goals against), strong special teams, and top scorers Maxim Eliseev and Jesse Juhola (51 points each). In their previous meetings this season, Salzburg won 5–1 in October, while Zell am See struck back in November with a 7–4 home victory. The derby promises plenty of excitement—also in view of the Austrian AHL Championship final.

HDD Jesenice – HC Migross Asiago
After a two-week break, Jesenice returns to league action, facing the hottest team of the Alps Hockey League. Asiago has won its last eight games and celebrated an overtime victory against the Juniors on Thursday. With 126 goals scored, the Italians have the league’s second-best offense, though they’ve conceded more goals (111) than Jesenice (105). The season series is tied 1–1, with both teams winning away from home.

A regulation win would secure Asiago’s direct playoff qualification. Even with a win after overtime or a shootout, the Italians would be mathematically safe in the Top 5 if Kitzbühel loses in regulation in its parallel game.

Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan – Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
With a narrow derby win against Meran, the Broncos kept their chances for direct playoff qualification alive. Now they host fifth-placed Kitzbühel in another crucial matchup. The eagles recently earned their first victory under new head coach Rob Daum (5–1 vs. Cortina) and hope to take another step toward the Master Round. The season series is tied 1–1, each team winning at home.

EC Bregenzerwald – Hockey Unterland Cavaliers
Bregenzerwald currently sits seventh and is three points outside the Top 5 after a win in Klobenstein. To stay in the race for the Master Round, the Vorarlberg side needs a must-win against the league’s bottom team. The Cavaliers have earned four of their seven wins on the road. Both previous season meetings ended in 5–2 wins for Bregenzerwald.

S.G. Cortina Hafro – HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
After an impressive winning streak in December, Cortina has slipped into a slump with six straight league losses, dropping to 11th place. They trail ninth-placed Gherdeina by just three points. The “Furie” have alternated wins and losses over their last eight games, most recently falling to Salzburg. Both teams now seek the best possible position and bonus points ahead of the qualification round. The season series stands at 1–1, with both sides winning on home ice.

Alps Hockey League
Sat, 24.01.2026:
18:00: HDD Jesenice - HC Migross Asiago
Referees: SNOJ, VOICAN, Murnik, Preiser

18:00: Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan - Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
Referees: SPIEGEL, VIRTA, Brondi, Fleischmann

19:30: EC Bregenzerwald - Hockey Unterland Cavaliers
Referees: HOLZER, HUBER, Seewald, Zacherl

19:30: EK Die Zeller Eisbären - Red Bull Hockey Juniors
Referees: BROCK, WINKLER, Steiner, Veselka

20:30: S.G. Cortina Hafro - HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
Referees: LAZZERI, PIRAS, Cusin, Fecchio

All games live on Valcome.TV.

Photo: EKZ/Radlwimmer