Release from 19.01.2024

Sterzing welcomes Juniors for top clash

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The Alps Hockey League continues on Saturday with seven games. In the Masterround, league leaders Red Bull Hockey Juniors travel to second-placed Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan. HC Meran and EHC Lustenau make their first appearances in the Qualification Rounds.

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Masterround:
Sat, 20.01.2024, 18:00: Rittner Buam SkyAlps - EK Die Zeller Eisbären
Referees: BENVEGNU, BROCK, Fleischmann, Wendner | >> valcome.tv <<

Ritten and Zell am See finished the first phase of the championship in first and second place. However, both teams suffered defeats at the start of the Masterround and each dropped two places. The South Tyroleans are the best home team in the league, winning 14 out of 15 games in front of their crowd. The Polar Bears have never managed to snatch a win from Klobenstein in seven attempts so far. This was also the case on their last visit around a month ago, when they lost 3-0. In the first game in the KE KELIT Arena, however, the Salzburg earned the win.

Sat, 20.01.2024, 18:00: Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan - Red Bull Hockey Juniors
Referees: MOSCHEN, STEFENELLI, Fecchio, Weiss | >> valcome.tv <<

Sterzing and the Juniors were among the winners on the first matchday of the intermediate round. The Broncos prevailed in Zell am See, while Salzburg kept the upper hand away against Bregenzerwald and are currently leading the table. Both teams showed good nerves in the first phase of the championship and secured their place in the top six with strong performances. The Juniors won their last three games, while Sterzing's winning streak has already lasted five games. Sterzing have won the direct duel four times in a row recently.

Sat, 20.01.2024, 19:30: EC Bregenzerwald - S.G. Cortina Hafro
Referees: KAINBERGER, LAZZERI, Grisenti, Pace | >> valcome.tv <<

EC Bregenzerwald let a 2-0 lead slip away against the Juniors and lost the opening game of the Masterround. Cortina, on the other hand, turned the game against Ritten in their favour and scored their first points in the intermediate round. With twelve wins from 16 games, the team from Vorarlberg is one of the best home sides in the league, but Cortina in particular has often impressed away from home (8 wins from 15 games). There have been two road wins in direct duels this season, with the Italians winning after shootout in Dornbirn in October.

Qualification Round A:
Sat, 20.01.2024, 19:30: HC Meran/o Pircher - HK RST Pellet Celje
Referees: LEGA, PINIE, Cusin, De Zordo | >> valcome.tv <<

After a break of more than two weeks, Meran will return to league action and the intermediate round. Opponents Celje kicked off the Qualification Round with a successful result on Thursday, with the Slovenians winning 4:2 in Linz. Both teams are currently two points behind the pre-play-off places. The first two duels of the season went clearly to the South Tyroleans, who even won 5:0 at home.

Sat, 20.01.2024, 19:30: Steel Wings LINZ AG - SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Referees: BAJT, HLAVATY, Murnik, Puff | >> valcome.tv <<

The Steel Wings were able to equalise twice against Celje, but were ultimately beaten 2:4. The biggest surprise on the first matchday of the intermediate round was Jesenice's 5:7 defeat against Gröden. It was the third defeat in a row for the reigning champions. The Slovenians now want to get back on track against a "favourite opponent": Jesenice have won eleven of their twelve league duels with the Upper Austrians.

Qualification Round B:
Sat, 20.01.2024, 19:30: EHC Lustenau - Hockey Unterland Cavaliers
Referees: HOLZER, PIRAS, Cristeli, Jäger | >> valcome.tv <<

Lustenau will play their first game of the intermediate round against the Unterland Cavaliers, who have already played one game and won 4:1 against Kitzbühel in the opener. The South Tyroleans turned the game in their favour in the middle period and also took the lead in the qualification round. Lustenau and Unterland Cavaliers have already met twice in the course of this year's championship. On both occasions, the South Tyroleans had the better of the encounter, winning by one goal on both occasions.

Sat, 20.01.2024, 20:30: SHC Fassa Falcons - EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
Referees: FAJDIGA, GIACOMOZZI, Jeram, Rivis | >> valcome.tv <<

After a late equaliser, Fassa prevailed on Thursday after shoot-out in Klagenfurt and recorded their first two points in the intermediate round. Kitzbühel lost at Unterland in the opening game, but are still in second place thanks to the five bonus points. However, the Tyroleans have only won five out of 16 away games this season. There have been two clear home victories in direct duels this season (7:3 Fassa and 6:0 Kitzbühel).

Photo: Oskar Brunner