In the only game of the Master Round, Zell am See celebrated a clear 9-2 away win in Vipiteno on Thursday. With their biggest win of the season, the defending champions extended their lead at the top of the table.
In the Qualification Round A, Cortina narrowly had the upper hand against Kitzbühel – both teams secured their ticket to the pre-playoffs. For Unterland, however, the season ended with a home defeat against Meran. In the Qualification Round B, Val Gardena suffered its first defeat in the intermediate round against Ritten.
Master round
Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan – EK Die Zeller Eisbären 2:9 (1:2, 0:4, 1:3)
Zell am See also clearly won the second duel in the Master Round. After the 7:2 home win, the Pinzgauers even won 9:2 in Vipiteno. Putnik opened the scoring after just 41 seconds. Coffman increased on the power play before Conci shortened the lead on another power play. After the first third, the defending champions were ahead 2-1. In an intense game marked by penalties, Coffman scored two more power play goals to complete his hat trick. In the middle section the Zellers pulled away to 6:1. At the start of the final third, Coffman scored for the fourth time, and Putnik and Huard each contributed braces. With the biggest win of the season, Zell am See extended its lead in the table.
Qualification Round A
Hockey Unterland Cavaliers – HC Meran/o Pircher 3:6 (1:2, 1:1, 1:3)
Unterland missed the pre-playoffs. After finishing last in the basic round, the Cavaliers achieved two wins in Qualification Round A, but after the defeat against Meran they also finished last in this group. Three goals were scored within two minutes in the first third and the guests took a 2-1 lead into the locker room. After the interim 1:3, Unterland was able to shorten the score again, but early in the final period Stefanson provided the eventual game winner. With the score at 5:3, Nousiainen scored the final decision with his second goal into the deserted goal. Meran won the qualifying group and will face Bregenzerwald in the pre-playoffs.
SG Cortina Hafro – Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel 2:1 (0:0, 1:1, 1:0)
It was already clear before the game: the winner is definitely in the pre-playoffs. Cortina narrowly prevailed in a close duel. Stoffling gave the hosts the lead in the 30th minute, Loshing equalized a little later in the power play. In the final third, Tolomelli made it 2-1. The Italians improved to second place and will now face Ritten. Kitzbühel is also in the pre-playoffs and will face Val Gardena.
Qualification Round B
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it – Rittner Buam SkyAlps 1:3 (0:0, 1:2, 0:1)
Val Gardena suffered its first defeat in the sixth game of Qualification Round B, but finished the phase in first place. Dostalek gave the home team the lead in the derby against Ritten in the middle third, before Crespi and Manuel Öhler turned the game in favor of the guests before the break. In the final section, Felicetti ensured the final score.
Master Round
Thu, February 26, 2026
Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan – EK Die Zeller Eisbären 2:9 (1:2, 0:4, 1:3)
Referees: Hlavatý, Unterweger, Divis, Veselka
Goals WSV: Conci (13th), Sanvido (51st/PP)
Goals EKZ: Putnik (1st, 49th), Coffman (11th, 24th/PP2, 26th/PP, 42nd), Huard (32nd/PP, 53rd), Schmid (40th/SH)
Qualification Round A
Thu, February 26, 2026
Hockey Unterland Cavaliers – HC Meran/o Pircher 3:6 (1:2, 1:1, 1:3)
Referees: Pine, Virta, Cristeli, Ilmer
Goals HCU: Kaufmann (7th), Eriksson (38th), M. Potsinok (43rd/PP)
Goals HCM: Nousiainen (7th, 57th/EN)), Tomasini (9th/SH), Cruseman (22nd), Stefanson (42nd), Trivellato (44th)
SG Cortina Hafro – Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel 2:1 (0:0, 1:1, 1:0)
Referees: Leben, Rivis, Arlic, Rivis
Goals SGC: Stoffling (30.)
Goals KEC: Loshing (33./PP)
Qualification Round B
Thu, February 26, 2026
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it – Rittner Buam SkyAlps 1:3 (0:0, 1:2, 0:1)
Referees: Benvegnu, Moschen, Fecchio, Grisenti
Goal GHE: Dostalek (25.)
Goals RIT: Crespi (37th), M. Öhler (40th), Felicetti (48th)
Pre-playoffs (best of three):
HC Meran/o Pircher – EC Bregenzerwald
Rittner Buam SkyAlps – Hafro Cortina Hockey
HC Gherdeina valgardena.it – Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel
Game dates:
Tue, 03.03.
Thu, 05.03.
Sat, 07.03. (if necessary)
alps.hockey , Image: Daniele Frusone
