Release from 27.12.2022
On the penultimate Alps Hockey League gameday in 2022, S.G. Cortina Hafro and also Red Bull Hockey Juniors have the opportunity to qualify for the Master Round and so for the playoffs. While the Italians can clinch it on their own, the Salzburg side, the second-ranked team has already played all games of the Regular Season, have to hope for a defeat after regulation from EK Die Zeller Eisbären. EC Bregenzerwald and HC Meran/o each need a win and a defeat from Ritten to keep their chances of participating in the Master Round alive.
Alps Hockey League | 28.12.2022 | Schedule:
Wed, 28.12.2022, 6.00 pm: Rittner Buam SkyAlps – EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
Referees: BULOVEC, STEFENELLI, Brondi, Jeram. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
The first trend-setting game in the fight for a place in the AHL Master Round takes place in Ritten, as te fifth-placed Rittner Buam SkyAlps (42 points) welcome the seventh-placed EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel (38). With a home win, the South Tyroleans would further secure their fifth place, as the top five after the Regular Season qualify for the Master Round and thus already for the playoffs. On home ice, the "Buam" have picked up 19 points from the last seven games and have also won every comparison with the "Adler". Kitzbühel struggles on the road, celebrating only one win in the last seven away games. On December 26th, the Tyroleans showed up: Their powerplay unit, meanwhile the third most efficient in the league with 24.4%, provided four goals in the 5:3 win over the "Broncos" - but with only 70.1% Marco Pewal's team is the weakest team when shorthanded. The best powerplay unit this year is at Ritten, comes to 29%. For Ritten's Manuel Öhler, the game against Kitzbühel is probably still too early.
Wed, 28.12.2022, 7.15 pm: Steel Wings Linz – SHC Fassa Falcons
Referees: BRUNNER, FAJDIGA, Arlic, Reisinger. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
Both the Steel Wings Linz and the SHC Fassa Falcons have no more chance to reach the Master Round. For both teams it is important to build up their form for the Qualification Round in the remaining games of the Regular Season. Both teams suffered defeats on December 26th. The Italians continue to struggle this season for their first road win after regular season. With six points, they are the second-weakest away team in the league. Linz, which is playing a home game again after 18 days, has won three of its last four games on home ice. The Italians won the first duel of the season 2-1 after overtime.
Wed, 28.12.2022, 7.30 pm: EK Die Zeller Eisbären – EHC Lustenau
Referees: KAINBERGER, LEHNER, Legat, Moidl. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
EK Die Zeller Eisbären is in the thick of the battle for a place in the top five. Lying in sixth place, the Salzburg side, which have won both games under new head coach Mike Flanagan, who is now meeting his former club for the first time, are currently just one point behind fifth-placed Ritten. At home, the Zellers are very strong anyway, remained without points in only two of their twelve home games (nine wins). The first duel of the season between the two teams in Ländle was decided by the "Eisbären" with three goals in the final third 3:1. The team from Vorarlberg was match-free on Boxing Day, but is winless on the road for three games and conceded an average of 6.3 goals in those defeats. In terms of personnel, EKZ coach Mike Flanagan must continue to play without Fabio Artner, Patrik Kittinger, Benedikt Wohlfahrt and Jesper Akerman. Thanks to the good cooperation with the Graz99ers, the Pinzgauers can once again hope for Styrian support from their cooperation partner. If the Zellers have to admit defeat, the Red Bull Hockey Juniors, which have already finished their Regular Season, will be qualified for the Master Round. Their advantage before the four remaining games of the "Eisbären" is ten points.
Wed, 28.12.2022, 7.30 pm: EC Bregenzerwald – S.G. Cortina Hafro
Referees: EGGER, HOLZER, Müller, Spiegel. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
S.G. Cortina Hafro has the chance to follow HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice into the quarterfinals on Wednesday. The third-placed Italians need at least as many points as EK Die Zeller Eisbären to do so. The Italians have won the last five games at EC Bregenzerwald, which suffered a 6:7 defeat after overtime on Monday. Also the first season comparison (4:2) was won by the third in the table. The "Wälder" will be missing Fabian Ranftl, the recently absent Philip Metzler, Benjamin Winkler, Felix Zipperle and Kai Hämmerle could return to the line-up. The team from Vorarlberg needs a win and at the same time the loss of points from Ritten to keep the theoretical chance to reach the Top-5.
Wed, 28.12.2022, 8.00 pm: Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan – HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Referees: LAZZERI, PINIE, De Zordo, Pace. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
The Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan welcome the league leader HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice. The Slovenians dominated Ritten 5:1 at home on Monday and are now without defeat for five games. During this series, the leader had to concede only four goals. The "Broncos", on the other hand, are without success for four games, at least four goals conceded by the South Tyroleans during their losing streak. There was also no win at home in the last four games or two months. The Slovenians won the first duel of the season with a commanding 5:1. Jesenice is still the best team shorthanded with 89.4% penalty killing. Jesenice has conceded only 27 goals in the 24 games so far this season.
Wed, 28.12.2022, 8.30 pm: HC Gherdeina valgardena.it – HC Meran/o Pircher
Referees: GIACOMOZZI, SORAPERRA, Cristeli, Fleischmann. | >> PPV-Livestream <<
At the end of the game day, HC Gherdeina valgardena.it and HC Merano/o Pircher fight for the connection to the top-5. Val Gardena is missing seven points four games before the end, Merano ten. Both teams must at least win to continue dreaming of the Master Round. Both teams did not play a game on December 26th, before that there were two defeats in a row for the "Furie", who gave away their second best point scorer with Terrance Amorosa (5G|31A) to HCB Südtirol Alperia, Meran won (5:4 vs. EHC). The first duel of the season was won by Val Gardena with 3:1.
Fotocredit: Giovanni Castoldi