Four games are scheduled for Saturday in the Alps Hockey League. With defending champions EK Die Zeller Eisbären, another team can qualify for the playoffs early. If the third-place team wins the top game against fourth-placed HC Migross Asiago, they will be in the playoffs, but even if they lose, it could be enough for Zell am See. KHL Sisak, second in the table without a game, can also jump on the playoff bandwagon, but will have to hope for defeats from three teams. In addition, on Saturday there will be a duel between Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel and SG Cortina Hafro, EC Bregenzerwald will challenge the league leaders Red Bull Hockey Juniors, who have already qualified for the Master Round, and the Hockey Unterland Cavaliers will meet the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan. For Kitzbühel, Bregenzerwald and Vipiteno, these are extremely important points in the fight for the top 5.
HC Migross Asiago is back in the Alps Hockey League for the first time after its triumph in Serie A. Last weekend, the Italians beat Cortina 2-1 in the semi-finals of the Final 4, which was held in the Olympic Hall in Milan, before a brilliant 8-3 final victory over Ritten. In the Alps Hockey League, Asiago is currently in fourth place, seven points behind third place EK Die Zeller Eisbären. However, the lead over sixth-placed Kitzbühel is only three points. The previous two season duels with Zell am See were each a close affair, both times with the better end for the Eisbären (3:2/SO, 4:3).
If Zell am See wins the game – regardless of whether after regular time or extra time/shootout – they are definitely qualified for the playoffs. In the event of a defeat after overtime or a shootout, it is also sufficient if none of the following three teams (Kitzbühel, Bregenzerwald, Vipiteno) achieve a win after regular playing time. And even in the event of a defeat after regular playing time, the Zeller Eisbären can qualify for the playoffs if none of the three teams mentioned get at least two points.
Kitzbühel wants to fix the top 5 with a new head coach
Rob Daum was presented as the new head coach of Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel during the week. The 67-year-old, who already trained the win2day ICE Hockey League teams from Linz and Villach in Austria, replaces Danny Naud behind the boards. With 51 points, the Eagles are currently sixth, just outside the top 5. However, the gap to the fifth-placed Rittner Buam SkyAlps, which did not play on Saturday, is only one point. Kitzbühel’s opponent is the struggling SG Cortina Hafro, which has lost all of its last six games in all competitions. Last weekend they narrowly lost to both Asiago (1:2) and Vipiteno (1:2/SO) in the Serie A Final 4. In a direct comparison with Kitzbühel, both previous season duels ended with 3:2 victories for the respective home team (3:2 KEC, 3:2/SO SGC).
Bregenzerwald calls for frontrunner Salzburg
League leaders Red Bull Hockey Juniors were in action in Val Gardena this week on Wednesday and were the first team to secure the playoffs with a 5-3 win. Salzburg are now visiting seventh-placed EC Bregenzerwald for the first time this season. The first duel of the season took place in Salzburg, where the juniors clearly won 5-1. The Vorarlbergers are still fully in the fight for the top 5. They are currently four points behind Ritten, although the game has been less played. The Forests were able to win the last two games, while the Juniors also arrived with a two-game winning streak.
Vipiteno is aiming for its third win of the season against Unterland
The Hockey Unterland Cavaliers and the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan will also face each other on Saturday. While eighth in the table Vipiteno still has its sights on the top 5 – the gap is currently seven points, although they have played two fewer games than Ritten – Unterland is at the bottom of the table. The Cavaliers have not won their last three games. Sterzing, on the other hand, narrowly lost 2-3 in the semi-finals of Ritten in the Serie A Final 4 last weekend, before a 2-1/SO win against Cortina in the game for third place. In the Alps Hockey League, the Broncos were recently defeated in Bregenzerwald with 2:3/OT; previously they celebrated two wins in a row. Vipiteno won the first two duels of the season with Unterland 2:1 and 5:3.
Game-free Sisak can also jump on the playoff bandwagon
The non-playing KHL Sisak can also qualify for the playoffs if Kitzbühel and Bregenzerwald get a maximum of one point and Vipiteno loses after regular playing time.
Alps Hockey League:
Sat, January 17, 2026:
7:00 p.m.: Hockey Unterland Cavaliers – Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan
Referees: LAZZERI, VIRTA, Brondi, Fecchio
7:30 p.m.: Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel – SG Cortina Hafro
Referees: UNTERWEGER, WINKLER, Markizeti, Ucherer
7:30 p.m.: EC Bregenzerwald – Red Bull Hockey Juniors
Referees: HOLZER, SPIEGEL, Divis, Strimitzer
8:00 p.m.: HC Migross Asiago – EK Die Zeller Eisbären
Referees: SNOJ, STEFENELLI, Miklic, Rivis
All games will be broadcast live on Valcome.TV.
www.alps.hockey, EKZ/Radlwimmer
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