There are six games on the program in the Alps Hockey League on Thursday. League leaders Zell am See will play their last game of the regular season in Merano. In the fight for the last place in the Master Round, Kitzbühel wants to score points against Sisak for the first time. There will also be a direct duel between the top 5 candidates Vipiteno and Ritten.
HC Meran/o Pircher – EK The Zeller Eisbären
EK Zell am See plays its last game of the regular season in Meran. After three wins in a row – most recently a hard-fought success in Jesenice – the reigning champions took over the lead in the table. Anything between 1st and 3rd place is still possible for the polar bears. Merano is currently in eleventh place and can secure additional bonus points for the qualification round by improving its ranking. The Eagles have won three of their last five home games. In the two previous season duels, the away teams prevailed.
Red Bull Hockey Juniors – EC Bregenzerwald
The juniors were pushed off the top of the table by Zell am See on Tuesday, but can still win the basic round on their own. Salzburg recently suffered two defeats in a row for only the third time this season – they have never had to admit defeat three times in a row. For Bregenzerwald it’s about the top 5. Vorarlberg, who won four of their last five games, are only one point behind. The Juniors clearly won both duels of the season so far.
Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel – KHL Sisak
Both teams have recently alternated victories and defeats on a regular basis – with Kitzbühel six times, with Sisak even seven times. In the race for the last place in the Master Round, the fifth-placed Tyroleans have the best cards – theoretically they could qualify as early as Thursday. The Croatians were without a game for over a week. They are currently in 4th place and could even finish the regular round as winners. Sisak has won all five AHL matches so far, while Kitzbühel remained pointless.
Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan – Rittner Buam SkyAlps
In a direct duel, two teams fight for the last chances of making it into the Master Round – and thus for direct playoff qualification. Sterzing won its last six home games, while Ritten slipped out of the top five after two consecutive defeats. This season both teams won their home games.
SG Cortina Hafro – HDD Jesenice
Cortina recently ended a series of defeats and improved to 9th place. Jesenice, on the other hand, had to admit defeat three times in a row and is currently only in second to last place, but can still make up a few places. With just nine points from 17 away games, the Slovenians are the weakest away team in the league. In the two previous duels of the season, the home team prevailed.
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it – Hockey Unterland Cavaliers
Val Gardena recently suffered two defeats. The team from Wolkenstein is currently in 10th place and can gain one place or lose two. Unterland ends the basic round at the bottom of the table. The Cavaliers won four of their seven wins this season away from home. In a direct comparison of the current season, the score is 1:1 – Val Gardena won at home in the shootout, Unterland won the home game in overtime.
Alps Hockey League
Thu, January 29, 2026
7:15 p.m.: Red Bull Hockey Juniors – EC Bregenzerwald
Referees: HLAVATY, OREL, Wucherer, Zacherl
7:30 p.m.: Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel – KHL Sisak
Referees: HUBER, UNTERWEGER, Rinker, Wendner
8:00 p.m.: Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan – Rittner Buam SkyAlps
Referees: GIACOMOZZI, RIVIS, Ilmer, Rivis
8:30 p.m.: HC Gherdeina valgardena.it – Hockey Unterland Cavaliers
Referees: LAZZERI, PINIE, Abeltino, Brondi
8:30 p.m.: SG Cortina Hafro – HDD Jesenice
Referees: LIFE, MOSCHEN, Cristeli, Cusin
8:30 p.m.: HC Meran/o Pircher – EK Die Zeller Eisbären
Referees: BULOVEC, METZINGER, Fleischmann, Markizeti
All games will be broadcast live on Valcome.TV.
alps.hockey, Image: KEC_Schwaninger
