Zeller Eisbären in the Alps Hockey League semi-finals against Wipptal Broncos

For the sixth time in Alps Hockey League history, a decisive seventh playoff game was played. In front of more than 1.700 spectators, the hosts made the better start and took the lead in the eighth minute through Robert Öhler, who got a crucial deflection. Following excellent work by Szypula, Alan Lobis scored from the slot to make it 2:0 for the dominant Rittner side.

Meran improved in the middle period: with the hosts too passive, David Trivellato pulled one back from a rebound. In the 40th minute, the visitors even equalised, with Chad Pietroniro scoring on the power play, and the teams returned to the dressing rooms tied at 2:2. Ritten settled the game in their favour in the third period. Markus Spinell, David Cuglietta and Manuel Öhler made it 5:2 within four minutes. On the power play, Cuglietta deflected an Insam shot to put the result beyond doubt.

Meran threw everything forward once again and pulled goaltender Rudy Rigoni for an extra skater, but Markus Spinell scored to make the final score 7:2. In the next round, Ritten will face HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice. The second semi-final pairing is EK Zeller Eisbären against Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan. The opening games will be played on Tuesday.

Alps Hockey League – quarter-finals:

Rittner Buam SkyAlps vs. HC Meran/o Pircher 7:2 (2:0,0:2,5:0)
>> Scorers and statistics
Final score in the best-of-7 series: 4:3