League leaders Kitzbühel face the Red Bull Hockey Juniors in the top match

League leaders Kitzbühel currently hold a one-point advantage over third-placed Red Bull Hockey Juniors, with 15 points. The two teams meet in Kitzbühel on Thursday in the “Oktoberfest game”. They had already faced each other in Salzburg earlier in the season, on 26 September. On that occasion, Kitzbühel prevailed convincingly, winning 8:1.

It was the “Adler’s” third consecutive victory over the Juniors. Overall, Kitzbühel have lost only one of their six games this season. The Juniors have already played nine times and have suffered four defeats so far.

The EK Die Zeller Eisbären versus S.G. Cortina Hafro clash brings together two teams in contrasting form. While sixth-placed Zell am See have won their last two games, ninth-placed Cortina have been waiting for a win for three games.

The “Eisbären” remain unbeaten in front of their home crowd and lead the home standings with eleven points. Cortina have collected four of a possible nine points on the road so far. Last season, Cortina had the upper hand in three of their four encounters with the “Eisbären”. Zell am See will be without captain Robin Johansson against Cortina. The Swede has been suspended for two games for a check into the boards.

HC Meran/o Pircher face Hockey Unterland Cavaliers in Meran on Thursday. After a poor start to the season featuring four consecutive defeats, the visitors from Neumarkt have won each of their last two games in overtime. The Cavaliers are eleventh in the standings with six points. Meran have nine points and sit seventh.

The “Adler” have won three of their last five games, including their first meeting of the season with Unterland, which went to Meran 4:3 in overtime. On 26 September, HCM prevailed despite Unterland leading 3:0 with 23 minutes remaining. Meran have won all three of their home games this season, while Unterland are still waiting for their first away win. Across seasons, they have not won any of their last six away games.

Thursday also sees HK RST Pellet Celje take on Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan. The visitors from Sterzing are currently in a slump: after two wins at the start of the season, they have failed to win any of their following five games and sit bottom of the table with five points. The South Tyroleans recorded one of those two victories against Celje.

The Broncos opened the season with a 5:2 win over the Slovenians. Celje had at one stage held a 2:0 lead. The Slovenians’ season has unfolded in the exact opposite way to Sterzing’s. Although they lost each of their first three games, they then won three in a row to move up to eighth in the standings. However, they have yet to win a game against Sterzing in the Alps Hockey League.

Alps Hockey League:

Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel vs. Red Bull Hockey Juniors
Thu, 17 October 2024, 19:00

HK RST Pellet Celje vs. Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan
Thu, 17 October 2024, 19:00

EK Die Zeller Eisbären vs. S.G. Cortina Hafro
Thu, 17 October 2024, 19:30

HC Meran/o Pircher vs. Hockey Unterland Cavaliers
Thu, 17 October 2024, 20:30