Release from 15.09.2017
On Saturday the first whole round with eight games is played in Alps Hockey League. With EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel, who had a bye-week lately and now face HK Olimpija Ljubljana, the last team starts into the new season. Red Bull Hockey Juniors and EK Zeller Eisbären even play twice this weekend when facing each other in the Salzburg derby on Sunday.
Alps Hockey League, 16.09.2017
EC Bregenzerwald - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice
EK Zeller Eisbären – EC-KAC II
EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel - HK Olimpija Ljubljana
WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan - HC Neumarkt Riwega
HC Pustertal Wölfe - S.G. Cortina Hafro
Rittner Buam - Red Bull Hockey Juniors
HC Fassa Falcons - FBI VEU Feldkirch
Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey - EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau
17.09.2017:
Red Bull Hockey Juniors - EK Zeller Eisbären
16.09.2017, 19:30: EC Bregenzerwald - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Referees: LEGA, VIRTA, Stefenelli, Terragni
Not even 48 hous after winning their opening game in Sterzing, EC Bregenzerwald continue with a home game against Jesenice. Beside Mark Kompain, the home teams' coach Jussi Tupamäki has all palyers available. Last campaign, Jesenice won both season meetings. However, the Slovenes lost their opener when letting the game against Asiago slipping away after a three-goal-lead.
16.09.2017, 19:30: EK Zeller Eisbären – EC-KAC II
Referees: DURCHNER, LENDL, Bärnthaler, Legat
After beating Lustenau on the road in the seasons' first game, Zell am See plays twice this weekend. First they host EC-KAC II and only 24 hours later Red Bull Hockey Juniors await them for a derby. The Carinthians lost their opening game in Cortina due to poor six minutes. The polar bears should be warned, though. Last season they won their last three games against Klagenfurt but just lost their home opener 1:2.
16.09.2017, 19:30: EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel - HK Olimpija Ljubljana
Referees: FAJDIGA, RUETZ, Kainberger, Rezek
As last team Kitzbühel opens the new season on Saturday. The Tirolese had a bye-week, observing their opponents from a distance. The preseason results did not go their way, losing against AHl rivals Sterzing and Zell am See lately. For their season opener the leagues' new arrival HK Olimpija Ljubljana comes to town. The Slovenes showed their quality in the first game against champions Ritten but suffered a 2:0 defeat in the end. It's a real indicator for the newly-build team.
16.09.2017, 19:30: WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan - HC Neumarkt Riwega
Referees: MOSCHEN, STRASSER, Bedana, Kalb
Sterzing against Neumarkt is a meeting of two teams who messed up their openers. Both suffered tight home defeat, trying to get the first points now. Maybe former Kitzbühel player Felix Brunner makes his debut for the Broncos who wasted lots of chances in the first game. The wild geese will have all players available for sure. Against Gherdeina they showed character when tying it twice but in the final minutes Neumarkt conceded the deciding goal against.
16.09.2017, 20:00: HC Pustertal Wölfe - S.G. Cortina Hafro
Referees: LESNIAK, PIANEZZE, De Zordo, Snoj
In the first tound there were lots of happy faces in Brunico and Cortina. Pustertal went top of the table with a 5:1 road win at Fassa and now they face second-palced Cortina. Despite having some troubles against Klagenfurt, they managed to get a clear-cut win in the end. While Thomas Erlacher will be surely out, the appearances of Ivan Althuber and Danny Elliscasis are still doubtful. HCP wants to settle an outstanding score as they were sweeped in the last quarterfinals series by Drew Omicioli's team.
16.09.2017, 20:00: Rittner Buam - Red Bull Hockey Juniors
Referees: KAMSEK, MISCHIATTI, Arlic, Wiest
As it becomes for a champion, Rittner Buam opened the new season with a 2:0 win against Ljubljana. In Saturday's home game against Red Bull Hockey Juniors, the Buam are once again without Alber, Ploner and Thomas Spinell. The Bulls had a great fight in their first game at VEU but suffered a one-goal defeat in the end. Last seasons first ever game between Ritten und the Juniors was tight as well with Ritten earning a 4:3 win. Then on Sunday the Red Bulls will welcome Zell am See in the Salzburg derby.
16.09.2017, 20:00: HC Fassa Falcons - FBI VEU Feldkirch
Referees: MORI, WALLNER, P. Giacomozzi, F. Giacomozzi
On Saturday VEU Feldkirch hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to Canazei for the game against Fassa. After missing palyoffs last season, the young falcons team had a tough opener when losing 5:1 to Pustertal. After a Max Oberrauch check, Martin Castlunger is still doubtful for the next game while Feldkirch has all players on board.
16.09.2017, 20:30: Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey - EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau
Referees: BENVEGNU, LAZZERI, Egger, Rigoni
A tough challenge awaits Lustenau in their away game at Asiago this weekend. EHC coach Geralrd Ressmann is in injury troubles early this season, missing Jason DeSantis, Fabian Glanznig and Julian Mandlburger while Thoma Auer is still suspended. The runners-up from Asiago have all players available and are full of self-confidence. On Wedesday the team of head coach Tom Barrasso came back from a three-goal deficit to earn an overtime victory in Jesenice. Last seasons' top scorer Anthon Nigro and Jose Antonio Magnabosco both got three points in a 4:3 win.
17.09.2017, 19:15: Red Bull Hockey Juniors - EK Zeller Eisbären
Referees: KUCHER, WIDMANN, Bedynek, Rinker
Photo: David Wassagruba