EK Zeller Eisbären secure Alps Hockey League playoff spot with win over Meran

EK Zeller Eisbären claimed a commanding 4:0 shutout win over HC Meran/o on Thursday evening to secure their quarter-final ticket. With this victory, the Salzburg side moved ahead of Jesenice, who had a bye, in the standings and are now the closest challengers to league leaders Ritten. After a scoreless opening period, the “Eisbären” took the lead in the middle period. A double strike within 20 seconds in the final period ultimately decided the game in favour of the visitors from Zell.

Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan celebrated a 6:4 victory over EC Bregenzerwald on Thursday. With fifth-placed S.G. Cortina also losing, the Broncos are fully back in the race for a place in the Master Round – the gap is now just five points. The visitors from Vorarlberg made the better start to the game, taking a 1:0 lead. However, Sterzing scored five unanswered goals between the 18th and 54th minutes. Bregenzerwald rallied again in the closing minutes and cut the deficit to 4:5 within four minutes, but could no longer force overtime.

Rittner Buam SkyAlps remain the benchmark and extended their lead with their fifth consecutive win. In the clash with S.G. Cortina Hafro, the visitors from Ritten were more efficient and took the lead in the opening period. Cortina did manage to equalise in the middle period, but Ritten were more composed and quickly regained the lead. The “Buam” eventually prevailed 5:2 and extended their advantage over their nearest challengers to three points. Cortina, meanwhile, missed the chance to further consolidate fifth place – and with it the final spot in the Master Round.

Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel celebrated an important 7:5 away win over HC Gherdeina on Thursday evening, further consolidating their place in the Master Round. The Adler returned to winning ways after two consecutive defeats. The Tyrolean side initially struggled against the team at the bottom of the table and trailed 0:2 after eleven minutes. However, three goals between 15 and 22 minutes turned the game in the visitors’ favour – at least temporarily. Gherdeina regained the lead in the middle period, but were unable to withstand the Adler’s pressure in the final period. Two goals from Anthony De Luca in the final third ultimately sealed the win for Kitzbühel.

Following their win over EK Die Zeller Eisbären two days ago, the Red Bull Hockey Juniors celebrated another success against KHL Sisak, thereby securing a playoff place for SIJ Jesenice, who had a bye today. After a scoreless opening period in Croatia, the Salzburg side took the lead at the start of the middle period. Sisak managed to equalise for a time, but the Red Bulls promptly regained the lead. Despite a spell of pressure from the hosts in the final period, they were unable to find an equaliser. Two late goals ultimately secured the Salzburg side a 4:1 win – the empty-netter was scored by RBJ goaltender Valentin Ankirchner.

Alps Hockey League:

KHL Sisak vs. Red Bull Hockey Juniors 1:4 (0:0,1:2,0:2)
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Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan vs. EC Bregenzerwald 6:4 (1:1,3:0,2:3)
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S.G. Cortina Hafro vs. Rittner Buam SkyAlps 2:5 (0:1,1:1,1:3)
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HC Gherdeina valgardena.it vs. Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel 5:7 (2:2,3:3,0:2)
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HC Meran/o Pircher vs. EK Die Zeller Eisbären 0:4 (0:0,0:1,0:3)
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