Release from 27.04.2021

Review of a challenging season

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Despite Covid-19 and many organizational challenges, the season 2020/21 in the Alps Hockey League was played and concluded almost as originally planned. Last Saturday, the HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana became champions of the AHL for the second time in a row.

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The Slovenians prevailed in the final series against Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey with 3:0. Twice the decision was made in overtime. For the "Dragons" it was the second Alps Hockey League title in a row. Asiago was already in the final for the third time and lost in this for the second time. Even more bitter is the record of HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice, who reached the semifinals in every season so far, but never made it to the finals. This season, the Slovenians lost in the semifinals against Asiago. The fourth semifinalist was the EHC Lustenau. Both semifinals were decided in the deciding game, which has never been the case in the history of the AHL so far.

Flexible scheduling allows "almost" smooth season
Already on October 3rd, 2020, the start for a very special season took place. A point in time when most leagues in Europe had not yet started to play. The Regular Season started with the so-called "Return-2-Play" games. In four groups of four teams each, a home and away match was scheduled. Both results were added and the winner received three points, which were included in the overall standings. The groups were divided in such a way that long journeys could be avoided. After that, all teams played against each other two more times in the regular season. Even though Covid-19 was in almost all teams and numerous games had to be postponed, the regular season ended on schedule on Thursday, March 18th.

Also in the playoffs, flexibility had to be shown by the organizers. Because the HC Pustertal Wölfe could not play at the beginning of the quarterfinals against the EHC Lustenau, due to numerous Covid-19 cases. The series was subsequently shortened from a "best-of-5" to "best-of-3" mode. Otherwise, all playoff duels were played smoothly.

The individual artists
League top scorer BradMcGowan was also the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the season 2020/21. The Canadian in the jersey of the HC Gherdeina valgardena.it recorded 76 points (28G / 48A). His teammate Matt Wilkins followed in second place in the scorer standings with 73 points. Remy Giftopoulos of S.G. Cortina Hafro was the top goal scorer with 40 goals. His teammate Mike Cazzola made 51 assists, more than any other player in the league. In the goal, Paavo Hölsä of champion Ljubljana was on top. The Finn had a save percentage of 94.1%. The 26-year-old also recorded ten shutouts over the entire season.

The departures
Two teams will no longer be part of the league next season. With two-time champion HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana and the finalists of the season 2018/19, the HC Pustertal Wölfe, two teams will leave the Alps Hockey League and play in the bet-at-home ICE Hockey League from next season on.

Final result Alps Hockey League 2020/21:
1. HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana
2. Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey
3. HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice
4. EHC Lustenau
5. HC Pustertal Wölfe
6. S.G. Cortina Hafro
7. HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
8. Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan
9. Red Bull Hockey Juniors
10. VEU Feldkirch
11. Rittner Buam
12. EC Bregenzerwald
13. SHC Fassa Falcons
14. EC-KAC II
15. EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
16. Steel Wings Linz

Copyright: Eva Brili Grebenar