Release from 16.01.2026

Zell am See can clinch a playoff spot in the top clash at Asiago

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Four games are on the schedule in the Alps Hockey League on Saturday. Defending champions EK Die Zeller Eisbären could become the next team to secure an early playoff berth. If the third-placed side wins the top clash away at fourth-placed HC Migross Asiago, their place in the playoffs is guaranteed, but even a loss could be enough for Zell am See to qualify. The second-placed KHL Sisak, who are free form play this weekend, can also qualify for the playoffs, but would need to rely on defeats by three different teams. Saturday’s action also features Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel against S.G. Cortina Hafro, EC Bregenzerwald hosting the already Master Round–qualified league leaders Red Bull Hockey Juniors, and the Hockey Unterland Cavaliers facing the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan. For Kitzbühel, Bregenzerwald and Sterzing, crucial points in the battle for the top five are at stake.

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HC Migross Asiago return to Alps Hockey League action following their triumph in Serie A. Last weekend, the Italians prevailed at the Final Four in Milan’s Olympic Arena, first edging Cortina 2–1 in the semifinals before sealing the title with an emphatic 8–3 victory over Ritten in the final. In the Alps Hockey League standings, Asiago currently sit fourth, seven points behind third-placed EK Die Zeller Eisbären, while their lead over sixth-placed Kitzbühel is just three points. Both previous season meetings with Zell am See were close affairs, with the Polar Bears coming out on top on both occasions (3–2 SO, 4–3).

Should Zell am See win the game – whether in regulation or overtime/shootout – they will be assured of a playoff spot. A loss in overtime or a shootout could also be enough, provided that neither Kitzbühel, Bregenzerwald nor Sterzing manage a regulation-time win. Even a regulation defeat could still see the Zeller Eisbären qualify if none of the three teams collect at least two points.

Kitzbühel aim to lock up a top-five finish under new head coach
Rob Daum was unveiled as the new head coach of Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel earlier this week. The 67-year-old, who has previously coached Linz and Villach in Austria’s win2day ICE Hockey League, replaces Danny Naud behind the bench. With 51 points, the Eagles currently sit sixth, just outside the top five. Their deficit to fifth-placed Rittner Buam SkyAlps, who are idle on Saturday, is just one point. Kitzbühel’s opponents are a struggling S.G. Cortina Hafro side that has lost its last six games across all competitions. At last weekend’s Serie A Final Four, Cortina narrowly lost to Asiago (1–2) and Sterzing (1–2 SO). Both previous meetings with Kitzbühel this season ended in 3–2 home wins (3–2 KEC, 3–2 SO SGC).

Bregenzerwald challenge league leaders Salzburg
League leaders Red Bull Hockey Juniors were already in action on Wednesday in Gherdeina and became the first team to clinch a playoff spot with a 5–3 victory. Now the Salzburg side travel to face seventh-placed EC Bregenzerwald for the second time this season, after winning the opening matchup in Salzburg 5–1. The team from Vorarlberg remain firmly in the race for the top five. They currently trail Ritten by four points, having played one game fewer. Bregenzerwald have won their last two games, while the Juniors also arrive on a two-game winning streak.

Sterzing target third season win against Unterland
Saturday also sees the Hockey Unterland Cavaliers take on the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan. While eighth-placed Sterzing continue to eye a top-five finish – currently seven points behind Ritten but with two games in hand – Unterland sit bottom of the table. The Cavaliers have failed to win any of their last three games. Sterzing, meanwhile, narrowly lost 2–3 to Ritten in the Serie A Final Four semifinals last weekend, before defeating Cortina 2–1 in a shootout in the third-place game. In the Alps Hockey League, the Broncos most recently fell 2–3 in overtime at Bregenzerwald, having won two straight games prior to that. Sterzing won the first two season meetings with Unterland 2–1 and 5–3.

Free from play Sisak can also qualify for the playoffs
Free from play KHL Sisak can also qualify for the playoffs if Kitzbühel and Bregenzerwald collect no more than one point each and Sterzing lose in regulation time.

Alps Hockey League:
Sat, 17.01.2026:
19:00: Hockey Unterland Cavaliers – Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan
Referees: LAZZERI, VIRTA, Brondi, Fecchio

19:30: Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel – S.G. Cortina Hafro
Referees: UNTERWEGER, WINKLER, Markizeti, Wucherer

19:30: EC Bregenzerwald – Red Bull Hockey Juniors
Referees: HOLZER, SPIEGEL, Divis, Strimitzer

20:00: HC Migross Asiago – EK Die Zeller Eisbären
Referees: SNOJ, STEFENELLI, Miklic, Rivis

Watch all games live on Valcome.TV.

Copyright: Serena Fantini