Release from 03.03.2025

Three teams have a chance to finish second | Decision in the pre-playoffs

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On the last matchday of the Master Round, three teams - Rittner Buam SkyAlps, Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel and HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice - have the chance to finish second. The last two quarter-final places will also be decided on Tuesday in the pre-playoff duels EC Bregenzerwald against HC Gherdeina and Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan against HK RST Pellet Celje.

Information about the playoff pick
The playoff pick will take place on Wednesday at 9.30 am. The top 3 teams after the Master Round will select their opponent in a video conference. The fourth team is not available and will face the team that was not selected in the pick. The quarter-final pairings will be communicated on all Alps Hockey League channels immediately after the pick.

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In the first game on Tuesday, Jesenice will face Kitzbühel at home. The steelers have alternated wins and losses in their last seven games - on Saturday, the Slovenians were narrowly beaten in Klobenstein, dropping head coach Niko Eronen's team to fourth place. Kitzbühel is level with Ritten and one point ahead of Jesenice. The intermediate round games of the Tyroleans were particularly exciting, with four out of seven games going to overtime. Jesenice have won three out of four duels against the KEC this season, and just two weeks ago they came out on top against the eagles in a shoot-out.

In the second game, Cortina will host the Rittner Buam SkyAlps. The blue and whites recently inflicted the first and only defeat in the intermediate round on Zell am See. Nevertheless, Cortina will finish the Master Round in fifth place as head coach Kai Suikkanen's team can no longer improve. For Ritten, on the other hand, it's about second place, but the reigning AHL champions have lost their last four away games. In the league, Ritten has won all four season meetings with Cortina.

Decision in the pre-playoffs
There will be two games in the pre-playoffs to decide who advances to the quarter-finals. EC Bregenzerwald has the home advantage against Gardena on its side. In the five season duels between the teams so far, the hosts have always prevailed, including in the first two pre-playoff games. The last Gardena victory in Dornbirn dates back to 25 October 2022. The fury lost their last eleven away league games.

Sterzing against Celje also goes into a third clash. After the Slovenians initially won 4:2 at the Broncos, the South Tyroleans secured a 1:0 away win. While the Wipptal side has lost their last two home games, Celje have won three of their last four road matches.

Playoff pick information
Zell am See, Ritten, Kitzbühel, Jesenice, Cortina and Meran are already in the quarter-finals. The last two places will be determined in the remaining pre-playoff games. The playoff pick will take place on Wednesday at 9.30 am. The top three teams after the Master Round will select their opponent in a video conference. The fourth-placed team is not available and will face the team that was not selected in the pick. The quarter-final pairings will be communicated on all Alps Hockey League channels immediately after the pick.

Alps Hockey League
Master Round:
Tue, 04.03.2025
19:00: HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice - Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
Referees: OREL, SNOJ, Markizeti, Wucherer

20:30: S.G. Cortina Hafro - Rittner Buam SkyAlps
Referees: RIVIS, STEFENELLI, Formaioni, Pace

Pre-Playoffs (best-of-three), Game 3
Tue, 04.03.2025:
19:30: EC Bregenzerwald - HC Gherdeina valgardena.it
Referees: BROCK, LAZZERI, Fleischmann, Zacherl
Standings in the“best-of-3” series: 1:1

20:00: Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan - HK RST Pellet Celje
Referees: HLAVATY, VOICAN, Moidl, Weiss
Standings in the“best-of-3” series: 1:1

>> All games will be shown on valcome.tv