Leader Pustertal ends Olimpija's winning streak

Referees: DURCHNER, FAJDIGA, Marchardt, Markizeti

 

The hosts got off a better start but wasted three big chances during their first power play. Olimpija still had the momentum but HCP goalie Colin Furlong made another big save on Miha Zajc. The first ended goalless but soon after restart the hosts took the lead when David Planko sent a one timer into the top corner. The leaders treid to find a quick answer but wasted some good opportunities. At the halfway point of the game the Slovenes used a PP as Kristjan Cepon converted a Music pass from close range. After Furlong prevented his team from a third goal against, Markus Gander and Teemu Virtala were not able to get the guests on the scoreboard. The hosts had everything in control in the third but just with a man advantage the conceded their first goal against when Max Oberrauch mad eit a one goal game. The puck crossed Pustertal's goal line once again but it was a "no goal" call after video review. With 80 seconds to go the visitors pulled their goalie and Virtala forced overtime - 2:2. After a goalless extra session, Armin Hofer ended Olimpija's winning streak. 

 

Goals Ljubljana:Planko (22./Koblar), Cepon (30./PP/Music-Koren)

Goals Pustertal: Oberrauch (49./SH/Althuber), Virtala (60./Helfer-Gander), Hofer (65./deciding penalty)

Referees: MORI, VIRTA, Terragni, Vignolo

 

This match was the fourth challenge in 23 days between Hockey Milano Rossoblu and Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina Hafro. There was some news in Milan. After the departure of defender Andreas Radin who changed championship (IHL/Merano), the home team made the debut of Canadian defender Tanner Burton. The Milan vice-coach returned to play in the Alps Hockey League after an absence of 655 days when he had played, two seasons ago, the last match of his career in Game 4 of the semifinals in force at the Cortina against the Rittner Buam. The Russian forward Andrei Ivanov also made his debut, starting the season at Hockey Como (IHL). Andrea Moser and Federico Lacedelli were absent from the Cortina. At the beginning there were fast counterattacks on both sides of the track, then the Cortina opened the score in double superiority with a slap-shot by Devin Di Diomete. In the second, after a good chance for Francesco Adami, Milan drew with a solitary run by Marcello Borghi and a backhand shot. Now the game was very balanced. Shortly before the middle of the game, Milan took the lead with the goal of Alessadro Re. The game became very open with opportunities on two sides of the rink. Adami scored 2:2 with a deflection in powerplay while Riccardo Lacedelli scored the new the lead of the Cortina before the end of the second half. In the third period the game was very hard fought. Milan could also equalize but then at the distance the Cortina legitimized the victory with two other goals. First Devin Di Diomete with a backhand shot (50') and then Adami with an empty net goal (57') allowed the Cortina to win 5:2 as they consolidated the ninth position in the standings for the fourth win of the season against Milan. 

 

Goals MIL: 1:1 Marcello Borghi (23:17Asinelli-Caletti); 2:1 Alessandro Re (29:38/Terzago-Ilic)

Goals COR: 0:1 Devin Di Diomete (08:37/PP2/Vänttinen-Trecapelli); 2:2 Francesco Adami (34:22/PP1/M.Zanatta-De Zanna); 2:3 Riccardo Lacedelli (37:01/Ayotte-Barnabò); 2:4 Devin Di Diomete (49:06/M.Cordiano); 2:5 Francesco Adami (57:26/EN/Vänttinen-Bruneteau); 

 

Referees: HOLZER, LEGA, Basso, Martin

Only 24 hours after their big win in Feldkirch, EC-KAC II took on Bregenerwald on the road. The hosts had some chances early in the game but could not score. AfterKlagenfurt's Markus Pirmann only hit the post, the first ended goalless. Despite KAC being stronger in the second, the home team opened the scoring thanks to Maximilian Hohenegg. The guests pressed for the equalizer but when they took a penalty, Simeon Schwinger used it for a second ECB goal. Klagenfurt got on the scoreboard early in the third when Daniel Obersteiner found the back of the net. Soon later the hosts bounced back with scoring a brace: Aleksi Järvinen restored the 2-goal lead and Daniel Ban added a fourth while playing shorthanded. Another penalty against was too much for the hosts and Obersteiner netted again. It did not become thrilling as Kai Fässler rounded off the scoring for a 5:2 home win. With this result Bregenzerwald qualified for the Austrian Final-4, facing Lustenau. In the second semis Salzburg takes on Feldkirch.

 

Goals Bregenzerwald: Haberl (28./Hyyppä-Linke), Schwinger (37./PP/Hyyppä-Linke), Järvinen (46./D. Ban-Schwinger), D. Ban (48./SH/Järvinen-Hyyppä), Fässler (58./Haidinger-Waldhauser)

Goals Klagenfurt: Obersteiner (44./Hochegger-Schnetzer, 49./PP2)

 

Referees: GAMPER, MOSCHEN, Giacomozzi P., Wimmler

 

Feldkirch had two early power play but could not score. The visitors did better when Justin Schütz beat VEU goalie Alex Caffi after 16 minutes for the first time this evening. In the middle frame the Juniors doubled their lead thanks to a good transition game, Caspar Evertsson scored on a rebound. With 14 seconds to go in the second captain Samuel Witting added a third and an early third-period goal from Paul Stapelfeldt made the preliminary decision. Feldkirch still had problems with Salzburg's fast-paced game and took some penalties. After 47 minutes Filip Varejcka put the guests 5:0 up on power play. The 17 year old forward added two more goals for a 7:0 road win. In the first AHL season the Juniors earned a 7:0 win in Kitzbühel. With their first ever road win in Feldkirch the Red Bulls movep up the fifth place in the standings, netminder Leevi Laakso got his 4th shutout this season.

 

Goals Juniors: Schütz (17./PP/Huber-Zitz), Klöckl (25./Evertsson-Lobach), Witting (40./PP/Nordberg-Kokkila), Stapelfeldt (42./Klöckl-Lobach), Varejcka (48./PP/Kokkila-Nordberg, 55./Schreier-Witting, 60./Nordberg-Schreier)

 

Referees: RUETZ, STRASSER, Kainberger, Rinker

 

The game was a mere 38 seconds old when the favourites got off a perfect start thanks to a goal from Marc-Oliver Vallerand. Both teams were at eye level and Kitzbühel also used a chance with Gert Karitnig tying the game. Despite Lustenau taking the lead for a second time - goal from David Slivnik - the hosts had a one-goal advantage after the first as Schröder and Kevin Wirl (PP) turned the game around in the last two minutes. In the middle frame the lions bounced back with Chris D'Aövise scoring the period's only goal. The Tirolese had the momentum in the third when Friedrich scored his second of the night and Peter Lenes made it a two-goal game for the first time. Henrik Hochfilzer added a sixth and the game was safe. Lustenau had the last say with a Philipp Koczera goal but Kitzbühel earned their first ever AHL win against the lions.

 

Goals Kitzbühel: Karitnig (6./Hochfilzer-Havlik), Schröder (19./Wirl, 44./Eder-Wirl)), Wirl (20./PP), Lenes (50./Havlik-Marthinsen), Hochfilzer (58.)

Goals Lustenau: Vallerand (1./Putnik-Kreuter), Slivnik (15./Putnik-Vallerand), D’Alvise (32./PP/Winzig-Grabher-Meier), Koczera (59./PP/Alagic-Stefan)

 

Referees: GIACOMOZZI F., LESNIAK, Cristeli, Javornik

 

In the fourth challenge between Fassa Falcons and Rittner Buam since December 26th, the team from Klobstein found its biggest ever victory in the AHL with a roaring 10:0 on the rink of Alba di Canazei against the last team in standings of the Alps Hockey League. With this result the Ritten reached the 2nd place in the standings and with the same number of points (62) Ljubljana. For the occasion, Fassa recovered Martin Gran (absent since 26 December), Dennis Kustatscher, Hannes Oberrauch and Andrea Odorizzi. The Slovak defender Patrick Luza made his Renon debut while Simon Kostner and Kevin Fink were always absent. From the very first bars of the game, the Ritten exerted a constant pressure towards the net of Gianni Scola who after almost six minutes suffered the first goal by Imants Lescovs. Before the end of the first period there was the second goal of the Ritten with Alex Frei but in this case great action of the newcomer Patrick Luza. In the central period the visitors became an impregnable team. After two assists, Markus Spinell scored 3:0. Then, in the last six minutes of the central period, the defence of home team experienced a real nightmare: the Buam scored with Sislannikovs, Giacomuzzi (a slalom in the middle of the defenders), Tauferer and Julian Kostner. These last two goals were during a double powerplay. During this time Ritten missed a penalty shot with Eriksson. In the third half the Rittner Buam were not satisfied with 7 goals. In the middle of the period, the fast markings of Lescovs and Frei arrived in just 16 seconds. The double digit was scored in the final seconds by Eriksson who sets the 10:0 for a Ritten who won the 18th game in the last 20 matches.  

 

Goals RIT: 0:1 Imants Lescovs (05:41/Frei-M.Spinell); 0:2 Alex Frei (16:39/Luza-M.Spinell); 0:3 Markus Spinell (26:28/Frei-Tauferer); 0:4 Olegs Sislannikovs (34:51/T.Spinell-Tudin); 0:5 Adam Giacomuzzi (36:12); 0:6 Ivan Tauferer (38:48/PP2/Lutz-Sislannikovs); 0:7 Julian Kostner (39:45/PP1/Frei-Lescovs); 0:8 Imants Lescovs (50:15/Luza-Eriksson); 0:9 Alex Frei (50:31/Eriksson); 0:10 Johan Eriksson (59:39/PP1/Lutz-Sislannikovs); 

 

Referees: BAJT, BENVEGNU, Miklic, Rigoni

 

Asiago is presented with the only absence of suspended Michele Stevan. In the first half the home team left virtually nothing to the opponents who in six minutes suffered three goals. As almost always, the first penalty of the match opened the scoring: Phil Pietroniro made a goal on rebound after a shot by Alex Gellert. Shortly after the fourth line of Asiago recovered a puck: Chad Pietroniro shooted from the distance for the winning deviation of Davide Conci.  After a minute there was the third goal of Matteo Tessari. On 3:0 and after a superiority in favour, the Zell am See started to defend itself with more order. In the second half Asiago was still the protagonist: Phil Pietroniro achieved the 4:0 with a powerful shot that Frank could not keep. The Zell am See, however, began to play his game and Patrick Gaffal (25 ') opened the markings for the Austrians with a precision shot. The goal reloaded the Polar Bears that then halved the disadvantage with Martin Oraze in powerplay with a shot at the crossbar. In the third half Asiago tried to close the game but, instead, are the Austrians to reopen the match with Patrick LeBlanc (51'/3:4). But the joy of Zell am See went out after just 61 seconds. Mark Naclerio achieved the final 5:3 with a very powerful action. In fact, the guests will no longer be dangerous until the 60'. L ' Asiago remained in seventh position just one point from Feldkirch.

 

Goals ASH: 1:0 Phil Pietroniro (03:39/PP1/Gellert-Rosa); 2:0 Davide Conci (05:18/C.Pietroniro-P.Pietroniro); 3:0 Matteo Tessari (06:18/Bardaro-Rosa); 4:0 Phil Pietroniro (24:54/PP1/Gellert-Rosa); 5:3 Mark Naclerio (52:58/Magnabosco-Gellert); 

Goals EKZ: 4:1 Patrick Gaffal (25:42/Leblanc-Oakley); 4:2 Martin Oraze (34:33/PP1/Nageler-Krammer); 4:3 Peter Leblanc (51:27/PP1/Oraze-Oakley); 

 

Referees: LAZZERI, PAHOR, Arlic, Mantovani

 

Fifth consecutive game of Gherdeina on home ice and with the absences of Simon Vinatzer and Tim Linder. In Jesenice there was the debut of Miha Pesjak who started the season with Brest in France. The Slovenian team was much more concrete in attack. The first penalty of the match allowed to move the result with the goal in powerplay of Philippe Paradies. Then the Red Steelers doubled with Miha Brus and served for the occasion by the new player Pesjak (12'). But shortly after the Gherdeina halved the disadvantage with Michael Sullmann after a good assist by Colin Long. Jesenice raised the pace in the second half for a very hard-fought match on the boarding. After a good opportunity for Simon Pitschieler, the Red Steelers advanced in the result thanks to a powerplay (2' + 2' to Patrick Nocker): after a shot from the blue there was the deflection of Paradies (30'). From this moment on, the attacks command with a goal scored almost every minute. Jesenice scored the fourth goal with Nick Stojan with a shot that surprised Pietila. Luka Kalan put the guests forward again. After the fifth goal, Leo Kostner entered the Gherdeina's net in place of Misa Pietila. Then Ivan Demetz shortened the distances (2:5) on rebound after Pitschieler's action. But Jesenice hit in counterattack with Paradies for his hat-trick. The many goals of the second half ended with the goal of Ivan Demetz who in the scrum halved the disadvantage (3:6). The home team still believed in the third period. Kostner's great action steal the puck from his opponents: then on the rebound of the Slovenian defense, after just 36 seconds, there was the goal of Pitschieler. The "Furies" were completely transformed and score 5:6 with a nice precise shot by Willeit. The Gherdeina insisted and in the last minutes only a Clarke Saunders in great evening and a pole deny to the hosts to equalize. Jesenice (10th) won by 6:5 and put nine points on Gherdeina (11th). 

Goals GHE: 1:2 Michael Sullmann Pilser (13:49/De Biasio – Long); 2:5 Ivan Demetz (32:48/Pitschieler-Roupec); 3:6 Ivan Demetz (34:26/De Biasio-Eastman); 4:6 Simon Pitschieler (40:36/B.Kostner – I.Demetz); 5:6 Christian Willeit (48:51/G.Vinatzer-Brugnoli); 

Goals JES: 0:1 Philippe Paradis (07:10/PP1/Kalan- Brus); 0:2 Miha Brus (12:57/Pesjak-Kalan); 1:3 Philippe Paradis (27:51/PP1/Pem-Brus); 1:4 Nick Stojan (30:18/Cimzar); 1:5 Luka Kalan (31:04/Pem-Sodja); 2:6 Philippe Paradis (33:13/Kalan-Brus); 

 
Photo: HCP / Foppa / Optic Rapid