EK Zeller Eisbären new Alps Hockey League leaders after victory over Adler Kitzbühel

In the evening’s top game, EK Die Zeller Eisbären caused an upset with a 5:4 away win in front of 1.250 spectators, displacing Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel into second place.

Kitzbühel initially dominated the derby and took a two-goal lead, including the ninth goal of the season for their top scorer Christopher Schutz. However, Zell am See responded with two goals, including Max Stiegler’s first of the season, as the opening period ended 2:2.

An early Kitzbühel goal in the second period went unanswered, before Sebastian Christiansen extended the lead to 4:2 with his second goal in the third period. However, the “Eisbären” did not give up, scoring three unanswered goals to turn the game around – Fredrik Widen scored the decisive 5:4 goal on a five-on-three power play.

Defending champions Rittner Buam SkyAlps claimed a 3:1 away victory over SIJ Acroni Jesenice to secure fourth place in the standings, level on points with third-placed KHL Sisak. The opening period went Ritten’s way thanks to a goal from Alan Lobis, before a power-play goal from Santeri Sillanpää brought Jesenice level in the second period.

The “Buam” responded in under two minutes, and another goal extended Ritten’s lead. Following a scoreless final period, Ritten were able to celebrate despite strong spells of pressure from the hosts in Jesenice.

League newcomers KHL Sisak won 3:0 away at Red Bull Hockey Juniors. Sisak opened the scoring through Carson Briere in the first period, while the Juniors from Salzburg remained scoreless. Two successive goals in the second period further extended Sisak’s lead, including Petar Peceric’s first and Bruno Idzan’s twelfth goal of the season.

Sisak were able to celebrate in Salzburg after a scoreless third period, despite being outshot 31 to 60. Vilim Rosandic recorded his second shutout of the season – both having come in just three games.

EC Bregenzerwald celebrated a 4:3 home win in a penalty-filled game against Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan, allowing them to hand over the “red lantern”. The game began with a goal for Bregenzerwald, but two “Broncos” goals within three minutes turned the contest around and saw the first period end 1:2.

David König equalised for Bregenzerwald eight minutes into the second period, and another goal before the second break gave them the lead. Despite one goal apiece in the final period, Bregenzerwald held on for the win.

Hockey Unterland Cavaliers won the South Tyrol derby at home 2:1 against S.G. Cortina Hafro. Giorgio Panciera’s first goal of the season opened the scoring for Cortina, while the “Cavaliers” had no response in the first period. However, two successive Hockey Unterland Cavaliers goals in the second period turned the game around. Two late goals, including Daniels Murnieks’ second, ultimately sealed the victory for the Unterland side.

Alps Hockey League:

SIJ Acroni Jesenice vs. Rittner Buam SkyAlps 1:3 (0:1,1:2,0:0)
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Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel vs. EK Die Zeller Eisbären 4:5 (2:2,1:0,1:3)
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Red Bull Hockey Juniors vs. KHL Sisak 0:3 (0:1,0:2,0:0)
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EC Bregenzerwald vs. Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 4:3 (1:2,2:0,1:1)
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Hockey Unterland Cavaliers vs. S.G. Cortina Hafro 4:1 (0:1,2:0,2:0)
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