Release from 18.03.2023

Ritten completes semifinals

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The Rittner Buam SkyAlps became the fourth and last team to reach the Alps Hockey League semifinals on Saturday, as the South Tyroleans prevailed 3-1 at EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel, clinching the "best-of-7" quarterfinal series 4-2. The champions of the first AHL season advanced to the semifinals of the cross-national league for the fourth time.

The "best-of-7" semifinal series will start on Thursday, March 23, with the pairings Red Bull Hockey Juniors against S.G. Cortina Hafro and HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice against Rittner Buam SkyAlps.

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The Rittner Buam SkyAlps are among the best four teams of the Alps Hockey League for the second time in a row, as the team of Santeri Heiskanen fixed the advancement to the semifinals with a 3-1 road win in Kitzbühel. There, the "Buam" benefited from a perfect start, as Philipp Pechlaner put the guests in the lead after just 16 seconds. “Adler” goalie Alexander Schmidt, who had failed with VSV in the quarterfinals of the win2day ICE Hockey League the night before, could not prevent the early fall. Ritten then added a second in the first period when Markus Spinell (15.) took advantage of a free shot.

In the second period the Tyroleans became much stronger offensively, as the "Adler" got many o-zone time, also one powerplay, but were too harmless and failed against Hayden Hawkey.

A similar picture appeared after the restart, as Kitzbühel acted with extremely high pressure and braced themselves against elimination, but the Rittner defense did not allow a goal until the 52nd minute. Then a concealed shot by Sandis Zolmanis found the net – and the game was open again. But in the final minutes, the "Buam" withstood the Kitzbühel offensive play and Hawkey acted magnificently. The goalie recorded 54 saves in the end. Spinell (59./EN) then ensured the decision with an empty-netter.

Alps Hockey League | 18.03.2023 | QF 6 | Results:
EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel - Rittner Buam SkyAlps 1:3 (0:2, 0:0, 1:1)
Referees: HOLZER, VIRTA, Bergant, Puff. | Spectators: 950
„best-of-7“ series: 2:4
Goal KEC: Zolmanis (52./Kuronen-Kapel)
Goals RIT: Pechlaner (1./Kostner-Cardwell), Spinell (15./Insam-Fink, 59./EN-Mäkelä)

Fotocredit: Max Pattis