Zell am See ends Asiago’s winning streak | Gardena opens with road win

Master Round
HC Migross Asiago – EK Die Zeller Eisbären 1–3 (1–1, 0–1, 0–1)
After eleven straight league wins, Asiago suffered their first defeat. Zell am See opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Coffman. Porco tied it up late in an evenly contested first period, before Rappold restored the visitors’ lead midway through the game. Another goal from Coffman made it 3–1—a lead the visitors defended with solid team play and strong goaltending from Schmidt. With this win, Zell am See remains at the top of the Master Round.

Red Bull Hockey Juniors – Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 4–3 (1–0, 1–2, 2–1)
The Juniors returned to winning ways after edging Sterzing 4–3 in a hard-fought battle. Eliseev put Salzburg ahead in the first period, but the Broncos briefly turned the game around in the second before the Juniors equalized and took control again in the final frame. Cianfrone made it 3–3 in the 50th minute, only for Eliseev to strike again just 29 seconds later with the game-winning goal. For the Broncos, it was their second road loss in the Master Round.

Qualification Round A
HC Meran/o Pircher – S.G. Cortina Hafro 4–6 (1–0, 1–5, 2–1)
Cortina celebrated their fifth consecutive win thanks to a dominant second period. Meran took the lead through Nousiainen, but the visitors responded with five goals in the middle frame. Kalajanniska netted a hat-trick and made it 5–2 just before the second intermission. Despite a late double from Cruseman, Kalajanniska sealed the win with his fourth goal into the empty net.

Hockey Unterland Cavaliers – Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel 2–0 (0–0, 1–0, 1–0)
Unterland picked up their first victory of the qualification stage. After a scoreless opening period, Santer put the hosts ahead in the second. Kitzbühel failed to find a way past standout goalie Giovanelli, who stopped all 34 shots for a shutout performance. In the final minute, Erik Potsinok’s empty-netter secured the 2–0 result, moving the Cavaliers up to third place.

Qualification Round B
Rittner Buam SkyAlps – HC Gherdeina valgardena.it 2–3 (0–0, 1–2, 1–1)
After a tight, scoreless first period, Welychka opened the scoring for Ritten. However, Gardena responded with goals from Luisetti and Schiavone (PP) to take the lead before the second break. Welychka’s second goal tied it early in the third, but Dostalek restored Gardena’s advantage three minutes later. Despite heavy pressure late in the game, the Buam couldn’t find a way past goaltender Endre. The visitors earned three valuable points in their Qualification Round B opener, while Ritten suffered their first defeat.

Alps Hockey League:
Master Round:
Sat, 07.02.2026:
Red Bull Hockey Juniors – Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 4:3 (1:0, 1:2, 2:1)
Referees: HLAVATY, OREL, Legat, Wucherer
Goals RBJ: Eliseev (16., 50.), Auer (37.), Gesson (42.)
Goals WSV: Conci (26./PP), Rämö (31.), Cianfrone (50.)

HC Migross Asiago – EK Die Zeller Eisbären 1:3 (1:1, 0:1, 0:1)
Referees: LAZZERI, RIVIS, Bergelj, Miklic
Goal HCA: Porco (17.)
Goals EKZ: Coffman (7., 48.), Rappold (36.)

Qualification Round A:
Sat, 07.02.2026:
Hockey Unterland Cavaliers – Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel 2:0 (0:0, 1:0, 1:0)
Referees: MOSCHEN, PINIE, Abeltino, Fleischmann
Goals HCU: Santer (38.), E. Potsinok (60.)

HC Meran/o Pircher – S.G. Cortina Hafro 4:6 (1:0, 1:5, 2:1)
Referees: BULOVEC, LEBEN, Fecchio, Grisenti
Goals HCM: Nousiainen (9., 34.), Cruseman (57., 60.)
Goals SGC: Alvera (21.), Kalajanniska (27./PP, 31., 39., 60./EN), Stoffling (29./PP)

Qualification Round B:
Sat, 07.02.2026:
Rittner Buam SkyAlps – HC Gherdeina valgardena.it 2:3 (0:0, 1:2, 1:1)
Referees: PIRAS, STEFENELLI, Cusin, Rivis
Goals RIT: Welychka (28., 41.)
Goals GHE: Luisetti (36.), Schiavone (38./PP), Dostalek (44.)

Photo: Max Pattis