Release from 10.01.2020
With the Rittner Buam and the HC Pustertal Wölfe two further teams qualified for the playoffs prematurely. While the Buam booked a 2:0 win against the EK Zeller Eisbären, the HCP lost against the Fassa Falcons with 0:2. But since the EHC Lustenau also suffered a defeat, the South Tyroleans can no longer be pushed out of the top six. Fassa, however, are back in the top six thanks to the victory over Pustertal.
Ritten thanks to victory over Zell am See in the playoffs
The Rittner Buam won against the EK Die Zeller Eisbären with 2:0 and thus booked the ticket for this year's playoffs. The game-winning-goal of the evening was scored by Stefan Quinz in the 34th minute. 25 seconds before the end of the game, Thomas Spinell was able to finally decide the game in favor of the South Tyroleans with an empty net goal. For the champions of the season 2016/17, it is the fourth playoff participation in the fourth year of the Alps Hockey League.
Pustertal despite a loss in the playoffs
In addition to the Rittner Buam, the HC Pustertal Wölfe qualified for this year's playoffs. The last year's finalist however suffered a 0:2 loss at the SHC Fassa Falcons. Fassa in turn advanced in the top six due to the victory. Until four minutes and 29 seconds before the end of the game, no team managed to beat the opposing goalkeeper, but then Joseph Mizzi (FAS) scored the decisive goal. Eleven seconds before the end of the game, Martin Castlunger increased to 2:0 with an empty net.
League leader Ljubljana wins against Kitzbühel
League leader and AHL defending champion HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana celebrated a 5:1 home win over the EC "Die Adler" Stadtwerke Kitzbühel. However, the guests from Tyrol had the better start. After just three minutes, they scored the 1:0. This narrow lead buoyed until the 22nd minute of the game. After the equaliser, the Slovenes were the better team. HKO won the middle period with 5:0. Five different players were able to score a goal. In the third period, Kitzbühel was able to play at eye level again. For Ljubljana it was the ninth consecutive victory in the AHL. In the table they are still the undisputed leader.
Red Bull Hockey Juniors with important win
The Red Bull Hockey Juniors saved the chance for the top six thanks to a 3:2 away win at the EHC Lustenau. While the Young Bulls are only four points behind the important sixth place, Lustenau has to tremble again. The EHC is still in fifth place, but the lead over the seventh is only four points. The guests from Salzburg were the better team from the beginning. After just thirteen minutes, they led with 3:0. This lead lasted until minute 38 before Lustenau scored the first goal. EHC even reduced to 2:3 eleven minutes before the end of the game, but they were not able to equalize the game.
KA2 doesn't give Steel Wings Linz a chance
The KA2 achieved a 5:2 away win over the Steel Wings Linz. The Klagenfurt were the better team from the beginning. The first period of the game ended with 17:1 shots on goal for KA2. Two shots found their way into the goal. The second period also ended with 2:0 for the guests. The bottom of the table, however, played a good last period. The Upper Austrians were able to win it with 2:1.
Cortina loses after clear lead
On the way to a clear victory, S.G. Cortina Hafro lost against HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice. The Italians led 2:0 after just ten minutes and were able to maintain the lead until minute 41 before the Slovenians scored the first goal and then equalized two minutes before the end of the game. In overtime, Nejc Stojan scored the game winning goal eleven seconds before the end. Despite the defeat, Cortina is still in fourth place in the table. Jesenice is in ninth place. The gap to the sixth place is only three points.
Val Gardena dispatches Wipptal
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it celebrated a clear 7:3 home win over the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan, which is why the guests missed the chance to get closer to the top six. The Broncos are twelfth in the table, missing five points to the sixth place. Val Gardena is one place behind WSV, but with four points less.
Results, 09.01.2020:
Steel Wings Linz - EC KAC II 2:5 (0:2, 0:2, 2:1)
Referees: FICHTNER / SCHAUER / Legat, Marchardt | Spectators: 177
Goals SWL: 1:5 Korecky I. (54. Mayrhofer M. – Ober L.), 2:5 Frühwirt K. (60. Kleiss L. – Maurer P.)
Goals KA2: 0:1 Kreuzer P. (9. Pirmann M. – Steffler K.), 0:2 Pirmann M. (20. Kapel R. – Kreuzer P.), 0:3 Schönett J. (26. Hammerle V.), 0:4 Kapel R. (36. Pirmann M.), 0:5 Kreuzer P. (53. Pirmann M. – Kapel R.)
HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana - EC 'Die Adler' Stadtwerke Kitzbühel 5:1 (0:1, 5:0, 0:0)
Referees: KUMMER / REZEK, Markizeti, Schweighofer | Spectators: 382
Goals HKO: 1:1 Ulamec L. (23. Koren G. – Simsic N.), 2:1 Koren G. (27. Chvatal A.), 3:1 Brus N. (31. Music A. – Koren G.), 4:1 Cepon K. (36. Pesut Z. – Jezovsek Z.), 5:1 Pesut Z. (40./PP1 Jezovsek Z. – Ropret A.)
Goals KEC: 0:1 Hochfilzer H. (3. Havlik A. – Uusivirta L.)
EHC Lustenau - Red Bull Hockey Juniors 2:3 (0:3, 1:0, 1:0)
Referees: BULOVEC / STEFENELLI, Mantovani, Martin | Spectators: 350
Goals EHC: 1:3 Haberl D. (39. Rasmussen F.), 2:3 Grabher Meier M. (49./SH1 Haberl L.)
Goals RBJ: 0:1 Rattensberger D. (5. Harnisch T. – Meisaari V.), 0:2 Luusuaniemi A. (13. Rebernig M. – Varejcka F.), 0:3 Arrak R. (14. Harnisch T. – Feldner N.)
Rittner Buam - EK Die Zeller Eisbären 2:0 (0:0, 1:0, 1:0)
Referees: GAMPER / HOLZER, De Zordo, Giacomozzi | Spectators: 427
Goals RIT: 1:0 Quinz S. (34. Tudin D. – Spinell M.), 2:0 Spinell T. (60./EN Kostner J. – Marzolini M.)
S.G. Cortina Hafro - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice 2:3 OT (2:0, 0:0, 0:2, 0:1)
Referees: FAJDIGA / LAZZERI, Bedana, Bergant | Spectators: 361
Goals SGC: 1:0 Zanatta M. (7. Sanna M.), 2:0 Bruneteau N. (10. Ayotte M. – Gander M.)
Goals JES: 2:1 Svetina E. (41. Tomazevic B. – Tavzelj A.), 2:2 Sersen G. (58. Sodja J. – Sturm J.), 2:3 Stojan N. (65./OT Tomazevic B. – Hebar A.)
SHC Fassa Falcons - HC Pustertal Wölfe 2:0 (0:0, 0:0, 2:0)
Referees: BENVEGNU, MOSCHEN, Cristeli, Pace | Spectators: 696
Goals FAS: 1:0 Mizzi J. (56. Chiodo L. – Castlunger M.), 2:0 Castlunger M. (60./EN Lundstrom L. – Caletti E.)
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it - Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 7:3 (2:1, 4:0, 1:2)
Referees: HUBER, LEGA, Huber, Rinker | Spectators: 864
Goals GHE: 1:0 McGowan B. (3. Wilkins M. – Bergmeister D.), 2:0 Wilkins M. (11. Schweitzer V.), 3:1 Schweitzer V. (23. Wilkins M.), 4:1 Vinatzer A. (27./PP1 Schweitzer V. – Willeit C.), 5:1 Galassiti D. (34. Schmalzl B. – Kurki M.), 6:1 McGowan B. (36. Wilkins M. – Linder T.), 7:1 Wilkins M. (48. Kurki M. – McGowan B.)
Goals WSV: 2:1 Doggett S. (15/PP1 Milam J. – Lemay M.), 7:2 Doggett S. (53. Hackhofer F. – Oberdorfer H.), 7:3 Lemay M. (57. Hackhofer F. – Oberdorfer H.)