Release from 21.01.2026
Wednesday brought surprising results in the win2day ICE Hockey League. HC Falkensteiner Pustertal defeated EC-KAC 3-2, claiming their fourth consecutive victory and ending the five-game winning streak of the league leaders. HCB Südtirol Alperia earned a 5-4 overtime win in the Tyrol derby against HC TIWAG Innsbruck, with Matt Wilkins of Innsbruck standing out as he scored all four goals for his team. In addition, FTC-Telekom beat EC Red Bull Salzburg 4-2, securing important points in the battle for a top-10 finish.
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal secured a 3-2 home win against league leaders EC-KAC. Henry Bowlby scored the game-winning goal just three minutes before the final buzzer. For Pustertal, it was the fourth victory in a row, while the KAC’s five-game winning streak came to an end. In an entertaining match, Pustertal always held a slight edge. Luca Zanatta opened the scoring in the 17th minute, before Mathias From equalized on the power play in the 27th. In the 44th minute, Mathias Mantinger restored Pustertal’s lead, but Matt Fraser tied it again in the 49th minute. Henry Bowlby then scored the decisive goal three minutes before the end, securing Pustertal’s first victory in the fourth matchup of the season against KAC. In the standings, Pustertal is now fifth, 15 points ahead of seventh-placed Fehérvár, while top-ranked KAC maintains a four-point lead over second-placed Graz.
Bolzano struggles to derby victory
In the Tyrol derby, HCB Südtirol Alperia narrowly defeated bottom-placed HC TIWAG Innsbruck 5-4 after overtime, marking the eighth consecutive derby win for the South Tyroleans. Matt Wilkins was the standout player, scoring all four goals for Innsbruck: 1-0 (6th), 2-3 (41st/PP2), 3-3 (46th), and 4-4 (55th). Goalie Matthew Vernon impressed for the home team with 44 saves, but in overtime, he was beaten by Brad McClure, who secured the extra point for Bolzano. For McClure, it was his second goal of the evening, having previously scored Bolzano’s 3-1. The teams meet again in Bolzano on Friday. In the standings, Bolzano is now just one point behind third-placed Salzburg.
Budapest surprises Salzburg
FTC-Telekom achieved a surprising 4-2 home victory over EC Red Bull Salzburg. The Hungarians had already won the first home game against the Red Bulls 2-1. With this win, FTC climbs to eighth place, now four points ahead of eleventh-placed Villach, although having played three more games. Salzburg remains third in the standings. The hosts initially fell behind after Peter Schneider gave Salzburg the lead in the 17th minute. 58 seconds before the end of the first period, Joose Antonen scored the equalizer. For the Finnish forward, it was his sixth appearance for FTC and already his fourth game with a goal. One second before the final buzzer, Antonen added an empty-net goal to secure the 4-2 win. Earlier, Gordon Green (29th) and András Mihalik had put FTC ahead 3-1, before Lucas Thaler (47th) narrowed the gap for Salzburg. In the final stretch, the Red Bulls were unable to break through FTC goalie Bence Balizs, who stopped 40 of 42 shots.
win2day ICE Hockey League:
Wed, 21.01.2026:
FTC-Telekom – EC Red Bull Salzburg 4:2 (1:1, 2:0, 1:1)
Referees: HRONSKY, NAGY, Jedlicka, Muzsik
Goals FTC: 1:1 Antonen J. (20.), 2:1 Green G. (29.), 3:1 Mihalik A. (40.), 4:2 Antonen J. (60./EN)
Goals RBS: 0:1 Schneider P. (17.), 3:2 Thaler L. (47.)
HC TIWAG Innsbruck – HCB Südtirol Alperia 4:5/OT (1:1, 0:2, 3:1)
Referees: NIKOLIC K., SCHAUER, Bedynek, Martin
Goals HCI: 1:0 Wilkins M. (6.), 2:3 Wilkins M. (41./PP2), 3:3 Wilkins M. (46.), 4:4 Wilkins M. (55./PP1)
Goals HCB: 1:1 Samuelsson P. (14.), 1:2 Gennaro M. (21.), 1:3 McClure B. (36.), 3:4 Mantenuto D. (47.), 4:5 McClure B. (64.)
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – EC-KAC 3:2 (1:0, 0:1, 2:1)
Referees: PIRAGIC, ZRNIC, Puff, Zgonc
Goals HCP: 1:0 Zanatta L. (17.), 2:1 Mantinger M. (44.), 3:2 Bowlby H. (57.)
Goals KAC: 1:1 From M. (27./PP1), 2:2 Fraser M. (49.)