Markus Spinell: "The home advantage could be decisive"

The Rittner Buam SkyAlps were able to win both the regular season and the Masterround this campaign. In the quarter-finals, the South Tyroleans - somewhat surprisingly for some - chose EC Bregenzerwald as their opponent. The team from Klobenstein did not regret their choice and prevailed in five games. After initially winning three games, they suffered their only defeat in Dornbirn. The first AHL champions turned game five in their favour in the final period and thus secured promotion. "Bregenzerwald was a tough opponent against whom we started the series strongly. But they made it really difficult for us in the last two games. Fortunately, we were able to turn the fifth game around; as is often the case, the fourth win in a series was the most difficult," reports Markus Spinell.

The semi-final will now be a clash with Sterzing. Ritten have won all four of their duels so far this season - and a total of eight games in a row. "But these games don't have much significance. Now it's the playoffs, these games are different to the previous ones. However, the home advantage could be decisive," says Spinell, alluding to the run of success in the Ritten Arena. The Buam have won their last 20 games in front of a home crowd. "We want to capitalise on the home advantage. The series against Sterzing will certainly be exciting. Willingness and ambition will be the deciding factors against the Broncos."

Spinell has spent his entire career with the Rittner Buam so far and was also part of their AHL championship team in 2017. With two goals and three assists so far, he is also the team's playoff top scorer at the moment. "The personal points aren't important. It's about the whole team showing its performance. We have a great team spirit and if we continue to fight for each other, a lot is still possible."

The first semi-final match will be streamed on valcome.tv from 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Photo: Max Pattis