Release from 21.12.2023
The Rittner Buam SkyAlps secured the sole lead in the Alps Hockey League on Thursday, as the South Tyroleans won 3-0 against their closest rivals EK Die Zeller Eisbären and celebrated their ninth consecutive home win.
Kalle Myllymaa put in an outstanding performance for the third-placed Red Bull Hockey Juniors, as the forward scored five goals in their 8-6 comeback win. S.G. Cortina Hafro was also victorious from the top six, winning on the road in Lustenau after penalty shootout.
Fourth-placed EC Bregenzerwald saw their eight-game winning streak snapped, losing 3-4 on the road in Fassa after a shootout, while the now sixth-placed Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan clearly lost at HC Meran/o Pircher. Andrei Makarov posted his first shutout for the South Tyroleans.
The EC-KAC Future Team provided the biggest upset of the matchday, as the Carinthians defeated SIJ Acroni Jesenice 5-2 and won after 17 defeats in a row. EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel and HC Gherdeina valgardena.it both confirmed their upward trend with home victories.
The Rittner Buam SkyAlps have regained the sole lead in the Alps Hockey League with a 3-0 home win over EK Die Zeller Eisbären. For the second time this season, the leaders did not concede a goal. Goalie Colin Furlong saved all 22 shots on goal. The South Tyroleans laid the foundation for victory with two goals in the opening period. Max Coatta (19./SH1) scored the 2-0 while short-handed. The "Eisbären" were beaten again after four consecutive victories, losing on their seventh appearance in the Arena Ritten too.
Myllymaa scores five goals in Salzburg’s comeback win
The third-placed Red Bull Hockey Juniors won 8-6 at the Hockey Unterland Cavaliers and thus moved to within two points of Zell am See. Kalle Myllymaa impressed for Salzburg in this game, as the 21-year-old Finn scored a total of five goals, scoring in both powerplay and shorthanded situations. For the "Juniors" it was their 15th win after regulation this season.
Fassa destroys Brengenzerwald’s winning streak
After eight wins in a row, EC Bregenzerwald had to admit defeat again on Thursday, as the Vorarlberg team lost 3-4 on the road at SHC Fassa Falcons after a penalty shootout, with Marlon Tschofen (59.) equalizing only 71 seconds before the end. Sebastian Selin scored all three goals in regulation for Fassa. S.G. Cortina Hafro also won a shootout, beating EHC Lustenau 3-2 on the road. The Italians twice surrendered a lead in regulation. With their 15th win of the season, however, they improved to fifth place in the table.
„Broncos“ suffer fourth straight loss
The Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan are now only in sixth place, as they suffered their fourth defeat in a row at HC Meran/o Pircher. Meran won without conceding a goal. Nolan Ritchie (23. and 36.) scored twice, goalie Andrei Makarov posted his first shutout of the season with 35 saves.
Klagenfurt takes win after 17 consecutive losses
The EC-KAC Future Team caused a big surprise, as the Carinthians defeated SIJ Acroni Jesenice 5-2, celebrating their fourth win of the season – their first after 17 consecutive defeats. The Slovenians suffered their second clear defeat in a row and thus missed out on important points in the battle for the top six. The young "Rotjacken" were already 3-0 ahead after 21 minutes - thanks to two powerplay goals. Marco Sunitsch shone with four scoring points (2G|2A).
Kitzbühel and Gherdeina cheer home wins each
EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel and HC Gherdeina valgardena.it won in front of their home crowd, as the Tyroleans prevailed 3-1 at home against the Steel Wings Linz. Chris Seto scored two goals on the way to Kitzbühel's third home win in a row. The South Tyroleans also won 3-1, scoring two goals in the final period for the final decision. It was the third success in a row for the "Furie".
Alps Hockey League | 21.12.2023 | Results:
EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel – Steel Wings LINZ AG 3:1 (0:0, 1:1, 2:0)
Referees: KAINBERGER, OREL, Eisl, Pötscher. | Spectators: 703
Goals KEC: Seto (26./Rotter-Maxa, 43./Matzka-Maxa), Hochfilzer (60.EN/Lehtonen-Kreuter)
Goal SWL: Söllinger (39./Necesany-Aigner)
EC-KAC Future Team – SIJ Acroni Jesenice 5:2 (2:0, 2:1, 1:1)
Referees: LESNIAK, MILOVANOVIC, Javornik, Jeram. | Spectators: 118
Goals KFT: Sunitsch (14.PP1/Waschnig-Preiml, 35./Klassek), Slivnik (19./Lippitsch-Piuk), Preiml (21.PP1/Sunitsch-Waschnig), Tavzelj (44./Sunitsch-Siftar)
Goals JES: Jezovsek (33./Cimzar-Bohinc), Cimzar (58./Jezovsek)
EHC Lustenau – S.G. Cortina Hafro 2:3 SO (1:1, 1:1, 0:0, 0:0)
Referees: HOLZER, SPIEGEL, Jäger, Rinker. | Spectators: 311
Goals EHC: Johansson (18.PP1/Alasaari-Wilfan), Moosbrugger (25./Haberl)
Goals SGC: Zardini Lacedelli (18./Adami), Juhola (25./Cuglietta), Cuglietta (65./PS)
Rittner Buam SkyAlps – EK Die Zeller Eisbären 3:0 (2:0, 1:0, 0:0)
Referees: RICCO, STEFENELLI, Abeltino, Grisenti. | Spectators: 537
Goals RIT: Szypula (14./Ginnetti-Kostner S.), Coatta (19.SH1), Kostner S. (25./Szypula-Insam)
Hockey Unterland Cavaliers – Red Bull Hockey Juniors 6:8 (3:1, 2:3, 1:4)
Referees: LAZZERI, PIRAS, Brondi, Pace. | Spectators: 279
Goals HCU: Hällfors (13.PP2/Nyman-Sullmann), Girardi (15./Käyrä-Hällfors, 38.PP1/Käyrä-Hällfors), Sullmann (17./Hällfors-Käyrä), Pisetta V. (29./Zerbetto-Pisetta T.), Galassiti (53./Wieser-Nyman)
Goals RBJ: Myllymaa (3.PP1/Helander, 29.PP1/Zelenov-Helander, 38./Helander-Zelenov, 45./Helander, 49.SH1/Zelenov), Kirchebner (37./Cernik-Vinzens), Murnieks (57./Hörl-Ramoser), Ramoser (59./Kirchebner-Noll)
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it – HK RST Pellet Celje 3:1 (0:0, 1:0, 2:1)
Referees: EGGER, VIRTA, Cristeli, Fecchio. | Spectators: 845
Goals GHE: De Luca (21.PP1/Schulze), Pitschieler (51./Kasslatter-McGowan), McGowan (56./Luoto-De Luca)
Goal HKC: Zezelj (58./Bukovec-Jakupovic)
HC Meran/o Pircher – Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 4:0 (1:0, 2:0, 1:0)
Referees: BENVEGNU, SORAPERRA, Cusin, De Zordo. | Spectators: 623
Goals HCM: Gellon (13./Ricci-Anderson), Ritchie (23./Gellon, 36./Anderson), Anderson (50./Ritchie)
SHC Fassa Falcons – EC Bregenzerwald 4:3 SO (1:0, 0:1, 2:2, 0:0)
Referees: GIACOMOZZI, MOSCHEN, Formaioni, Vignolo. | Spectators: 301
Goals FAS: Selin (5.PP1/Sylwander-Biondi, 50./Schivone-Näslund, 59./Näslund-Biondi), De Toni (65.PS)
Goals ECB: Ranftl (33.PP1/Metzler-Zwerger), Zwerger (46.PP1/Ranftl), Tschofen (59./Lipsbergs)
Fotocredit: Max Pattis