Kitzbühel win at EC Bregen­z­er­wald – Zeller Eisbären defend top spot

League leaders EK Zeller Eisbären celebrated a commanding 3:0 shutout victory over KHL Sisak in front of 1822 spectators. After a scoreless first period, the home side scored three times in the middle period. In the final period, Max Zimmermann continued to keep his net clean and recorded his third shutout of the season.

Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel reduced the gap to league leaders Zell and secured second place with a 6:4 away win over EC Bregenzerwald. The first period developed into a veritable goal fest and ended 4:3 in favour of the visitors from Kitzbühel. Both teams scored once in the middle period, with Matic Podlipnik completing his hat-trick for the Tyroleans. Jayson Ren put the finishing touch on the game for Kitzbühel in the final period.

In the South Tyrol derby, HC Gherdeina valgardena.it prevailed 3:2 in a wide-open contest after a penalty shootout at Hockey Unterland Cavaliers. The visitors took a 1:0 lead through Vili Laitinen in the first period. Patrick Cont equalised for the hosts in the middle period before a converted penalty by Stephan Deluca restored Gröden's lead. The Cavaliers made it 2:2 with eight minutes remaining. Following a scoreless overtime, Stephan Deluca scored his second goal of the evening in the penalty shootout to secure the win.

Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan handed the "red lantern" to their hosts in the head-to-head clash with a convincing 7:3 away win at HC Meran/o Pircher. In the second South Tyrol derby, Meran initially took the lead, but the Broncos responded with two goals. Following an open exchange in the second period, Sterzing dominated the final period with four unanswered goals. James Livingston also shone with a hat-trick.

HK RST Pellet Celje celebrated a narrow 4:3 home win over S.G. Cortina Hafro. The visitors opened the scoring through Francesco Adami shortly after the start of the game, before the home side turned the contest around with three consecutive goals. The visitors pulled one back in the second period before Mark Sojer made it 4:2 with the game-winning goal. Waltteri Lehtonen brought the visitors back within reach again with a shorthanded goal in the final period, but they were unable to force overtime.

SIJ Acroni Jesenice secured a 6:5 overtime win away at Red Bull Hockey Juniors. After the visitors scored three consecutive goals, the home side responded with three of their own. In the final period, the visitors appeared on course for a regulation win and, with two further goals, had third place in their sights. However, Salzburg forced overtime thanks to the second goals of Paul Vinzens and Adrian Gesson respectively. Gregor Koblar then scored the decisive winner for the Slovenians.

Alps Hockey League:

Hockey Unterland Cavaliers vs. HC Gherdeina valgardena.it 2:3 after penalty shootout (0:1,1:1,1:0,0:0,0:1)
>> Goalscorers and statistics

HK RST Pellet Celje vs. S.G. Cortina Hafro 4:3 (3:1,1:1,0:1)
>> Goalscorers and statistics

Red Bull Hockey Juniors vs. SIJ Acroni Jesenice 5:6 after overtime (1:3,2:0,2:2,0:1)

>> Goalscorers and statistics

EC Bregenzerwald vs. Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel 4:6 (3:4,0:1,1:1)

>> Goalscorers and statistics

EK Die Zeller Eisbären vs. KHL Sisak 3:0 (0:0,3:0,0:0)

>> Goalscorers and statistics

HC Meran/o Pircher vs. Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 3:7 (1:2,1:1,1:4)
>> Goalscorers and statistics