Zeller Eisbären edge Jesenice in the Alps Hockey League second-round opener

More than 1.600 spectators attended the top-of-the-table clash between league leaders Zell am See and former champions Jesenice. The Slovenians took the lead through Gregor Koblar in the seventh minute. In a heated middle period, the Slovenians even extended their lead to 2:0, but were then unable to capitalise on a lengthy power play. Zell am See hit back in the third period and levelled the score with two goals in the space of two minutes. 64 seconds before the end of regulation time, Matt McLeod even turned the game in the hosts' favour, but Jesenice still found an equaliser for 3:3. The thrilling and intense game was decided by Christian Jennes seven seconds before the end of overtime.

The second Master Round game also went to overtime, with hosts Rittner Buam SkyAlps prevailing here too. After the first period against Kitzbühel (where assistant coach Rafael Rotter made his comeback as a defenceman) ended 1:1, the reigning champions pulled away to 3:1 shortly after the restart. Events then came thick and fast in the third period: after 53 minutes, the South Tyroleans still held a two-goal lead (4:2). The Tyroleans then turned the game around with three goals in two and a half minutes, but Ritten made it 5:5 33 seconds before the end. In overtime, Eric Hjorth, the only player to score twice, secured the home win after all.

Qualification Round A began with Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan, who narrowly missed out on a top-5 finish, visiting Meran. The Sterzing side took the lead through Thomas Galimberti after seven minutes, before Jakob Fuchs equalised in the middle period. Massimo Pietroniro eventually settled the game with a brace, securing a 3:1 home win. Meran therefore took the lead in this group, while Sterzing's winning streak came to an end.

In front of more than 1.000 fans, Gröden also celebrated a 6:3 win over Red Bull Hockey Juniors. For the side that finished bottom of the regular season, Davide Schiavone was among the match-winners with two goals and two assists. The forward's two strikes put the game beyond doubt, lifting the “Fury” into second place.

Bregenzerwald (12th place after the regular season) and Celje (11th place) each recorded 5:4 wins in Qualification Round B. The Vorarlberg side claimed their first victory over Unterland in their fourth meeting of the season. After 29 minutes, the hosts were already 5:1 ahead. Although the visitors closed the gap once more, it was not enough to earn a point.

With the only away win of the matchday, Celje even moved top of the table. After five previous defeats, the efficient Slovenians won at Sisak in front of just under 1.400 spectators. Mikus Mintautiskis and Danil Tsarkovskyi each scored twice for the visitors. Goaltender Aleksanteri Heiskanen conceded four goals but also made 41 saves.

Alps Hockey League:

Master Round:

EK Die Zeller Eisbären vs SIJ Acroni Jesenice 4:3 OT (0:1,0:1,3:1,1:0)
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Rittner Buam SkyAlps vs. Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel 6:5 OT (1:1,2:0,2:4,1:0)
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Qualification Round A:

HC Meran/o Pircher vs. Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 3:1 (0:1,1:0,2:0)
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HC Gherdeina valgardena.it vs. Red Bull Hockey Juniors 6:3 (2:1,3:1,1:1)
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Qualification Round B:

EC Bregenzerwald vs. Hockey Unterland Cavaliers 5:4 (1:0,4:2,0:2)
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KHL Sisak vs. HK RST Pellet Celje 4:5 (1:1,1:3,2:1)
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