Release from 22.12.2017
One day before Christmas the race for Alps Hockey League playoff spots continues with seven encounters. The games Lustenau against Ljubljana, Pustertal against Zell am See and Cortina against Bregenzerwald are direct duels of playoff aspirants.
Alps Hockey League, Runde 26, 22.12.2017:
HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice - HC Neumarkt Riwega
Red Bull Hockey Juniors - HC Fassa Falcons
EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel - Rittner Buam
EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau - HK SZ Olimpija
WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan - HC Gherdeina
HC Pustertal Wölfe - EK Zeller Eisbären
S.G. Cortina Hafro - EC Bregenzerwald
23.12.2017, 18:00: HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice - HC Neumarkt Riwega
Referees: OFNER, PODLESNIK, Bedynek, Bizalj
Third-placed Jesenice has won five of their alst six games and have a 13-point advantage to a non-palyoff spot. With ten wins out of twelve games the Slovenes are the second best home team. Together with leader Ritten they also the best defense available, both have only conceded 42 goals against. O nSaturday Neumarkt wants to crack this defense, trusting in Joseph Harcharik again. The American has scored eleven goals in 16 matches for the Wild Geese. Despite losing three of their last four games again, there was an uptrend recognizable. Jesenice won the first season meeting4:0 but last season Neumarkt earned a road win in Slovenia
23.12.2017, 19:15: Red Bull Hockey Juniors - HC Fassa Falcons
Referees: HOLZER, LENDL, Kontschieder, Reisinger
A look to the standings does not say anything about the Red Bull Juniors at the moment. The Salzburg team has played at least seven games less than their opponents with still having a chance for a top eight placement. Now they meet Fassa, one of their favourite teams as the Red Bulls ahve won all five games in Alps Hockey League. The team of Matt Curley also won seven of their last eight games. On the other hand the falcons are waiting for a win for seven games. In ten road games they only gained one win. Devin DiDiomete is back from suspension.
23.12.2017, 19:30: EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel - Rittner Buam
Referees: KAMSEK, LESNIAK, Arlic, Markizeti
On Wednesday champions Rittner Buam earned a 5:2 home win against Feldkirch, their sixth victory in a row. The leader suffered all three season defeats on the road but they also have won all three AHL meeting with their upcoming opponent from Kitzbühel. The 12th-placed Eagles lost the last four games with only scoring eight goals and conceding 21 goals against. In the offense the Tirolese trust in Swede Henrik Eriksson who has earned 31 points (13 goals) so far. Ritten will be without Andreas Alber and Max Ploner, while Kevin Fink returns to the team.
23.12.2017, 19:30: EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau - HK SZ Olimpija
Referees: HÖLLER, SUPPER, Kainberger, Kalb
Lately Lustenau got two wins and they want to improve their chances for a playoff spot in tomorrow's home game against Olimpija. In their first meeting Ljubljana took a 5:1 win with scoring three goals within five minutes. Back in time EHC tried hard to come back but they failed. Now the lions want to take revenge against a team that had a good start into the new championship but has struggled in the past weeks. After some defeats Ljubljana dropped to sixth place, they only decided one of the last four games to their favour. On Wednesday the Slovenes beat Kitzbühel 4:2 at home, though.
23.12.2017, 19:30: WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan - HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
Referees: LAZZERI, LEGA, Basso, Terragni
After starting a four-game winning streak in the end of November, Gherdeina lost the last two again. It's even more dramatic for their next opponent from Sterzing who has suffered five successive defeats. After having a good start into the season and being on a top 8 spot most of the time, the Broncos dropped to 10th place. In October Sterzing won the first season meeting with Gherdeina thanks to a late Erlacher goal, 2:1. After the consensual contract resolution with the czech forward Zdeněk Bahenský, the Broncos announced the signing of the canadian center Mark Lee. The 33 year old left shot isn’t unknown in Italy after a three-month long stint with Fassa in 2015/16. Lee is very likely to give his debut in Saturday’s home game.
23.12.2017, 20:00: HC Pustertal Wölfe - EK Zeller Eisbären
Referees: MISCHIATTI, MORI, Ch. Cristeli, F. Giacomozzi
After three consecutive wins Zell am See is lying in wait for a playoff spot. One day before Christmas a tough road trip awaits them when the bears travel to Brunico. 5th-placed Wolves have a six-point advantage to ehir next opponent but suffered two defeats lately. In the first season meeting Zell am See hold the upper hand in a 2:1 shootout win. Last season Pustertal won the home game 4:0, though, with goalie Thomas tragust getting two assists. Pustertal's Nick Bruneteau is suspended.
23.12.2017, 20:30: S.G. Cortina Hafro - EC Bregenzerwald
Referees: MOSCHEN, VIRTA, M. Cristeli, Piras
On Wednesday Bregenzerwald climbed to 8th place with a win against Sterzing. To remain on a playoff spot, the Vorarlberg team has to improve on the road: They only gained three points out of their last six away games. Opponent Cortina has shown good performances in December, winning the first three matches. Lately they suffered a tight home defeat to Asiago. In the previous five AHL meetings between Cortina and Bregenzerwald, the Italians have won three. They miss Diego Iori due to suspension, though.