The Red Bull Hockey Juniors extended their lead in the Alps Hockey League on Thursday with a 4-1 away win in Merano. Zell am See also continued its winning streak, while Cortina celebrated a comeback victory in the traditional duel with Asiago. In addition, Vipiteno and Unterland ended their series of defeats.
HC Meran/o Pircher – Red Bull Hockey Juniors 1:4 (1:0, 0:1, 0:3)
With their fourth win in a row, the juniors further extended their lead in the table. Thanks to a hat trick from Eliseev, Salzburg won 4-1 in Merano. Nousiainen gave the hosts an early lead, but Eliseev equalized on a power play in the middle third. Ten minutes before the end of regular time, the guests decided the game with a double strike before Eliseev completed his hat trick with an empty net in the last minute. The Juniors are now three points ahead of Sisak, Meran slipped to second-to-last place in the table.
EK Die Zeller Eisbären – Rittner Buam SkyAlps 4:2 (2:0, 1:2, 1:0)
The Zeller Eisbären celebrated their fourth win in a row. The reigning champions won 4-2 against Ritten in front of over 1,400 spectators. Tomazevic and Lahoda gave the home team an early 2-0 lead. Ritten, coached by Mike Halmo, shortened the lead in the middle section through Welychka (1:2) and Fink (2:3). However, the Pinzgauer team remained more efficient in the power play: Zauner made it 4-2. Despite opportunities and commitment, Ritten was denied a comeback.
SG Cortina Hafro – HC Migross Asiago 5:4 OT (1:1, 1:3, 2:0)
Cortina and Asiago exchanged blows in a traditional duel. The home team took an early lead, but Asiago quickly equalized. In the middle period the guests turned the game around and led 3-1 with Porco’s second goal. Cortina came within 2-3, but Asiago restored their two-goal lead. In the final phase, Massimo Pietroniro shortened the score before Chad Pietroniro equalized in the 59th minute – Cortina was already playing with six outfield players. After just 31 seconds in extra time, Sanna scored for a celebrated 5:4 home win.
HDD Jesenice – Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 2:3 OT (0:0, 0:0, 2:2)
After eight consecutive defeats, the Broncos returned to winning ways. The South Tyroleans prevailed in Jesenice after extra time. After two goalless periods, the Slovenians took the lead at the beginning of the final period, but Vipiteno equalized in the power play. Five minutes before the end, Cianfrone put the visitors in front before Slivnik equalized with six field players. In overtime, Sproviero made the decision after just 42 seconds. Vipiteno improved to ninth place.
Hockey Unterland Cavaliers – HC Gherdeina valgardena.it 5:4 OT (0:1, 1:2, 3:1)
After five defeats in a row, bottom team Unterland could finally celebrate again. In an exciting game, the Cavaliers prevailed against Val Gardena in overtime despite two two-goal deficits. The guests were already 2-0 up after 30 minutes, Unterland reduced the deficit before Pitschieler scored to make it 1-3. In the final third, Galassiti turned things up with a brace, and Potsinok gave the hosts the lead with their third power play goal. With one second left, Moroder Val Gardena saved the game into overtime, where Galimberti scored the celebrated winning goal after 61 minutes.
newsroom.ice Image: Red Bull Salzburg – Manuel Mackinger
