High tension ahead of the Austrian Cham­pi­onship final in the Alps Hockey League

A derby is always something special and full of surprises. The only thing that can surpass it is a derby deciding a title, and that is exactly what Austrian ice hockey is experiencing these days in the Austrian Championship final in the Alps Hockey League. EK Zeller Eisbären take on the Red Bull Hockey Juniors.

Both teams have recently been in top form. The Pinzgau side most recently celebrated three consecutive wins, while the Red Bull Juniors made a statement with an 8:0 victory over Jesenice. The Eisbären will be without Bastian Szieber, but all other players have been declared fit. For Patrik Kittinger, Maximilian Egger, David Rattensberger, Alexander Frandl and goaltender Alois Schultes, it is a reunion with their former club.

The season results so far: the Eisbären celebrated a narrow 2:1 shoot-out victory in Salzburg. Salzburg responded with a 6:5 overtime win in Zell am See.

Laurin Müller, EKZ: “We are facing our most important game of the season so far against a really strong opponent. As always, Salzburg will keep going for the full distance and demand our absolute A-game. We really have to deliver our best performance of the season if we want to have a chance.”

Juniors captain Oskar Maier: “We are eager for the two games. When you have the opportunity to play in a final, you want to win it. Every game I have played against Zell am See so far – including this season – has always been heated and on a knife-edge. That makes this derby a very special incentive once again.”

Format

The final will be played in the Champions Hockey League format, with a first and second leg. The aggregate score from the two completed games will be used. Overtime (potentially followed by a shoot-out) can only take place in the second leg if the aggregate score is tied. Should this be the case, a ten-minute sudden-victory three-on-three overtime period will be played first. The team that scores the first goal wins. If the tie remains, the decision will be made in a shoot-out.

Austrian Championship final Alps Hockey League

EK Zeller Eisbären vs. Red Bull Hockey Juniors
Thu, 09 February 2023, 19:30, Eishalle Zell am See

Red Bull Hockey Juniors vs. EK Zeller Eisbären
Sat, 11 February 2023, 19:15, Eisarena Salzburg