Release from 27.01.2026

Zell move to top | Asiago clinch playoff spot

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EK Zell am See secured a road win over HDD Jesenice on Tuesday night and moved to the top of the standings, level on points with the Red Bull Hockey Juniors. HC Migross Asiago, meanwhile, defeated Rittner Buam SkyAlps and officially punched their ticket to the Alps Hockey League Playoffs 2026 as the fourth confirmed quarterfinal team.

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Eisbären take over first place
EK Zell am See picked up a hard-fought 4–1 road win at HDD Jesenice to claim first place in the Alps Hockey League standings.
The hosts had a slight edge early on, but Zell successfully killed off an early penalty and quickly found their rhythm. On the power play, Nick Huard opened the scoring for the visitors, who then stayed defensively compact and limited Jesenice’s quality chances. Early in the second period, Huard struck again, finishing off a long shift by the first line to make it 2–0. Jesenice pulled one back at even strength, but Zell remained composed and allowed little even while facing additional penalty-killing situations.

The final period was defined by grit and determination. Zell blocked shots, defended aggressively and relied on strong goaltending from Alexander Schmidt. In a hectic closing stretch, empty-net goals by Wilfan and Widhalm sealed the 4–1 final score.

With the three points, Zell moved to the top of the table. Note: Zell are level on points with the Red Bull Hockey Juniors but are ranked ahead due to the better head-to-head record, which determines the standings in the final rounds of the regular season rather than goal differential.

Asiago secure playoff berth
HC Migross Asiago are officially through to the quarterfinals of the Alps Hockey League 2026. The Yellow and Reds claimed a 4–1 home win in a direct matchup with fellow top-five contender Rittner Buam SkyAlps. The visitors from South Tyrol struck first, taking a 1–0 lead in the fifth minute on a power-play goal by Simon Kostner. Asiago answered before the first intermission, with Magnabosco Aguirre also converting on the man advantage.

From the second period onward, the hosts took full control. Goals by Garau and Casetti gave Asiago a 3–1 lead after 40 minutes. Ritten pushed to get back into the game in the final frame but were unable to beat Asiago netminder Rigoni. Asiago eventually closed out a 4–1 victory, climbed to third place in the standings and can no longer be pushed out of the top five.

Alps Hockey League, Di, 27.01.2026:
HDD Jesenice – EK Die Zeller Eisbären 1:4 (0:1, 1:1, 0:2)
Referees: BULOVEC, OREL
Linesmen: Arlic, Legat
Goals JES: Slivnik L. (37:29)
Goals EKZ: Huard N. (10:47/pp), Huard N. (25:28), Wilfan M. (59:32/en), Widhalm L. (59:54)

HC Migross Asiago – Rittner Buam SkyAlps 4:1 (1:1, 2:0, 1:0)
Referees: PINIE, STEFENELLI
Linesmen: Brondi, Fecchio
Goals HCA: Magnabosco Aguirre J. (12:03/pp), Garau N. (30:54), Casetti L. (37:59), Valentini R. (57:33/en)
Goals RIT: Kostner S. (04:07/pp)

©Serena Fantini