Release from 15.03.2022

Zell am See and Cortina surprise in first quarterfinal

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EK Die Zeller Eisbären and S.G. Cortina Hafro caused a surprise with road wins at the start of the "best-of-five" quarterfinal series in the Alps Hockey League, as Zell am See won the Austrian duel in Lustenau thanks to a strong second period, while Cortina triumphed in Ritten thanks to 46 saves by Marco De Filippo.
HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice and Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey, on the other hand, got off a great playoff start, as the Slovenians celebrated a 4-0 shutout win against HC Gherdeina valgardena.it, while the Italians turned up the heat after the first period and defeated the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 8-2.

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"Eisbären" show outstanding middle third
The EK Die Zeller Eisbären carried the momentum from the pre-playoffs into the quarterfinals and celebrated a 3-2 victory at EHC Lustenau. After Remy Giftopoulos (11.) put the Vorarlberg side up in the first, the Salzburg team turned the game around with a brilliant middle frame, as Henrik Neubauer (26.) equalized, Philip Putnik (32.) scored for the lead and ten seconds left Frederik Widen doubled up. Elilas Wallenta (52.) managed to shorten the gap but EKZ-Goalie Max Zimmermann did not allow another goal with a total of 29 saves and secured the opening victory. For the "Eisbären" it was the first win of the season over Lustenau.

Cortina wins on the road too
With S.G. Cortina Hafro also a second weaker seeded team celebrated a success on the opening day of the quarterfinal series in the Alps Hockey League, as the Ampezzani recorded a 4-2 win at the Rittner Buam. After the South Tyroleans used their first power play to take the lead through Kevin Fink (20./PP1), Tomaso Alvera (37.) equalized in the middle period. The start of the final period belonged to the visitors, who pulled away decisively thanks to goals from Mikael Johansson (42.) and Luca Zanatta (49.). Marco De Filippo was an important factor in Cortina's game with 46 saves.

Top-seeded duo take clear opening wins
The top-seeded duo for the 2022 playoffs, Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey and HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice, started the postseason with a clear victory each. However, the Italians struggled in the first: after the first period, Head Coach Tom Barrasso's team faced a 0-2 deficit, 18-year-old Leonhard Hasler and Alex Zecchetto scored for the “Broncos”. Asiago managed to turn things around in the middle frame, shortening the score right after the restart - and turning the game around halfway through with three goals within 107 seconds. Anthony Salinitri scored four goals at the end in the 8-2 victory.

Jesenice remained without conceding a goal, defeating HC Gherdeina valgardena.it 4-0. Already in the opening period, the Slovenians were clearly more present, but only took the lead through Eetu Elo 18 seconds left in the first. In the further course, the South Tyroleans found more chances, but the goals were scored by the home team, which had two outstanding players available with Elo (1G|2A) and Eric Pance (1G|2A). Goalie Oscar Froberg made 29 saves and recorded his third shutout of the season.

Alps Hockey League | 15.03.2022 | quarterfinal 1:
HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice - HC Gherdeina valgardena.it 4:0 (1:0, 1:0, 2:0) | Details
Referees: HLAVATY, REZEK, Snoj, Weiss. | Zuschauer: 747
„best-of-five” series: 1:0
Goals JES: Elo (20./PP1), Pance (29.), Viikila (41.), Sotlar (48.)

EHC Lustenau - EK Die Zeller Eisbären 2:3 (1:0, 0:3, 1:0) | Details
Referees: HOLZER, RUETZ, Kainberger, Wimmler. | Zuschauer: 742
„best-of-five” series: 0:1
Goal EHC: Giftopoulos (11.), Wallenta (52.)
Goals EKZ: Neubauer (26.), Putnik (32.), Widen (40./PP1)

Rittner Buam - S.G. Cortina Hafro 2:4 (1:0, 0:1, 1:3) | Details
Referees: HUBER, LAZZERI, Cristeli, Eisl. | Zuschauer: 345
„best-of-five” series: 0:1
Goals RIT: Fink (20./PP1), Sailio (51.)
Goals COR: Alvera (37.), Johansson (42., 60./EN), Zanatta (49.)

Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey - Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 8:2 (0:2, 4:0, 4:0) | Details
Referees: BAJT, MOSCHEN, Arlic, De Zordo. | Zuschauer: 250
„best-of-five” series: 1:0
Goals ASH: Finoro (23.), Salinitri (33., 34., 52./PP1, 57./PP1), Marchetti (35.), Miglioranzi (42.), Zampierie (60.)
Goals WSV: Hasler (11.), Zecchetto (16.)