Release from 18.09.2017
The next seven Alps Hockey League games will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday. With five international matches, Bregenzerwald against Kitzbühel is the only meeting of two Austrians. While Neumarkt hosts Asiago in one of two inner-Italian encounters, Cortina against Gherdeina is the only game of two still unbeaten teams.
Alps Hockey League, 19.09.2017
Red Bull Hockey Juniors - WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan
EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau - Rittner Buam
20.09.2017
HK Olimpija Ljubljana - HC Fassa Falcons
EC KAC II - HC Pustertal Wölfe
EC Bregenzerwald - EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
HC Neumarkt Riwega - Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey
S.G. Cortina Hafro - HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
19.09.2017, 19:15: Red Bull Hockey Juniors - WSV Sterzing Broncos Weihenstephan
Referees: OFNER, RUETZ, Holzer, Höller
After three games without a single point Red Bull Hockey Juniors are at the bottom of the table. Despite playing good hockey, the Red Bulls often failed to score. While they scored only five, they also conceded most goals against (14) of all league teams. On Tuesday Sterzing comes to Volksgarten. Broncos lost their season opener but earned a 7:2 home win against Neumarkt with scoring four on power play. In the two games last season the home team always held the upper hand.
19.09.2017, 19:30: EHC Alge Elastic Lustenau - Rittner Buam
Referees: LAZZERI, SUPPER, Egger, Kalb
After beating Asiago 3:2 on the road, another highlight game awaits Lustenau when champion Ritten comes to Rheinhalle. The Buam won their first two games and also decided last season's four meetings with the lions to their favour. While Lustenau is without Julian Mandlburger, Fabian Glanznig and Jason DeSantis, forward Thomas Auer is back from suspension. The Buam miss Brad Cole, Andreas Alber, Maximilian Ploner and Johannes Fauster. Additionally Thomas Spinell is doubtful.
20.09.2017, 19:15: HK Olimpija Ljubljana - HC Fassa Falcons
Referees: FAJDIGA, LAZZERI, Bergant, Wiest
Two power play goals by Devin Di Diomete smoothed the way for Fassa's 3:2 home win against Feldkirch on Saturday. With these first three points the falcons hit the road for their away opener to Ljubljana. The league's new arrival had a bad start into their debut AHL campaign. After a promising start against RItten (0:2), Olimpija suffered a 5:0 defeat in Kitzbühel what means that they are still without goals and points.
20.09.2017, 19:30: EC KAC II - HC Pustertal Wölfe
Referees: DURCHNER, MOSCHEN, Piras, Tschrepitsch
In the first two games EC-KAC II conceded the first goal against but turned the game around later. However, in the end they lost grip again for two defeats. With three minutes to go the young Carinthians conceded the game winner on Saturday in Zell am See. In their home opener Klagenfurt welcomes HC Pustertal. Lately the wolves suffered another trauma against Cortina when conceding five goals against in the final period for a clear-cut defeat. HCP is cautious when travelling to Klagenfurt as both sides won the road game last season.
20.09.2017, 19:30: EC Bregenzerwald - EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
Referees: STRASSER, SUPPER, Cristeli, P. Giacomozzi
After having a bye-week, Kitzbühel won their season opener against Ljubljana 5:0. Nun the team of head coach Joe West meets Bregenzerwald in their first road game. The Vorarlberg side suffered the first defeat on game day 2 when losing 3:0 at home to Jesenice. Last season 10.5 goals were scored in games between these two clubs with Christian Ban (ECB) and Peter Lenes (KEC) each scoring in both games.
20.09.2017, 20:00: HC Neumarkt Riwega - Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey
Referees: BENVEGNU, LEGA, Basso, Terragni
In their first two games Neumarkt conceded the deciding goals against always in the middle period. On Wednesday the wild geese host Asiago. The AHL runners-up went to overtime twice in their season openers. After beating Jesenice in the extra session, Lustenau took the bonus point home lately. Last campaign Asiago won both meetings against Neumarkt with Giulio Scandella scoring in total four goals.
20.09.2017, 20:30: S.G. Cortina Hafro - HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
Referees: PIANEZZE, VIRTA, Arlic, Bizalj
In the only match between two still unbeaten sides Cortina welcomes Gherdeina. After an opening win against Klagenfurt, Cortina also beat Pustertal. Zachary Torquato, who had five goals against the "fury" last season, leads Alps Hockey League scoring charts with three goals and assists each. After winning their first game, Gherdeina had a bye-week to travel rested to Cortina.
Photo: Ivan Foppa