Red Bull Hockey Juniors dethrone defending cham­pions EK Die Zeller Eisbären

The Red Bull Hockey Juniors went into the return leg against defending champions with a two-goal lead following Thursday's 3:1EK Die Zeller Eisbären for the Austrian Alps Hockey League Championship.

The hosts made the better start in front of 2.800 fans and took the lead through Leon Widhalm for 1:0 (6'). The Eisbären also started the second period better, with Philip Putnik making it 2:0 for Zell am See (23'), levelling the aggregate score.

This ensured a thrilling final period at the KE KELIT ARENA. Just under five minutes from the end, Alexander Rebernig pulled one back to make it 1:2 for the young Bulls (56').

The final minutes could not have been more tense. Despite holding the lead, the Pinzgau side had to pull goaltender Max Zimmermann late on for a sixth skater. The Red Bull Hockey Juniors saw out the narrow defeat and, with an aggregate score of 4:3, are Austrian Alps Hockey League champions.

Austrian Alps Hockey League Championship Final

Final second leg:

EK Die Zeller Eisbären vs. Red Bull Hockey Juniors 2:1 (1:0,1:0,0:1)
Sat, 10 February 2024, 19:30, KE KELIT ARENA
EK Die Zeller Eisbären goalscorers: Leon Widhalm (6'), Philip Putnik (23')
Red Bull Hockey goalscorer: Alexander Rebernig (56')

The Red Bull Hockey Juniors are Austrian Alps Hockey League champions with an aggregate score of 4:3 from the first and second legs.

Final first leg:

Red Bull Hockey Juniors vs. EK Die Zeller Eisbären 3:1 (1:1,2:0,0:0)
Thu, 08 February 2024, 19:15, Eisarena Salzburg
Scorers for Red Bull Hockey Juniors: Phillip Sinn (1), Vasily Zelenov (25) Daniel Assavolyuk (25)
Scorer for EK Die Zeller Eisbären: Hubert Berger (7)