With a clear 7-1 home win over Vipiteno, EK Die Zeller Eisbären moved into the semi-finals of the Alps Hockey League on Thursday. Ethan Szypula shone with a hat trick for the reigning champions. For the first time in the club’s history, KHL Sisak also made it to the last four – the Croatians beat Cortina 4-2 in front of their home crowd. More than 2,000 fans watched the decisive games in both arenas.
KHL Sisak – SG Cortina Hafro 4:2 (1:0, 2:0, 1:2)
KHL Sisak is in the semi-finals of the Alps Hockey League for the first time. The Croatians defeated Hafro Cortina 4-2 on Thursday, with Tjaš Lesničar becoming the match winner. The 21-year-old initially scored to make it 1-0 and then increased it to 2-0 shortly after the restart in front of more than 2,100 fans. After Yeob’s 3-0, there were many signs pointing to a preliminary decision, but Cortina fought back with goals from Talamini (42′) and Tolomelli (54′). In the final phase, the guests threw everything forward before Dumcius made the decision with an empty-net goal after a pass from Lesničar. With his third win in a row, Sisak won the series 4-1.
EK The Zeller Eisbären – Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 7:1 (1:0, 2:0, 4:1)
With a confident 7-1 home win over the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan, the Zeller Eisbären moved into the semi-finals. The reigning champions dominated the game from the start and took the lead through Jennes in the 18th minute. In the second third, Schmid and Szypula increased the score to 3-0 in front of over 2,000 spectators. Although Brunner shortened the score shortly after the restart, a one-two punch from Szypula and Tomazevic within 28 seconds ensured the preliminary decision. In the final stages, Szypula scored a hat trick before Jennes made the final score 7-1. As in the previous year, the Pinzgauers won a playoff series against Vipiteno.
Fifth quarter-final duel between Asiago and Merano postponed to Friday
The fifth quarter-final game between HC Migross Asiago and HC Meran/o Pircher, scheduled for today, Thursday, has been postponed to Friday, March 20, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. due to a technical malfunction in the ice cooling system in consultation with both teams.
Alps Hockey League | Quarterfinal 5:
Thu, March 19, 2026:
KHL Sisak – SG Cortina Hafro 4:2 (1:0, 2:0, 1:2)
Referees: BULOVEC, OREL, Arlic, Veselka
Goals SIS: Lesnicar (6th, 24th), Yeob (34th), Dumcius (60th/EN)
Goals SGC: Talamini (42nd), Tolomelli (54th)
Final score in the best-of-7 series: 4:1
EK The Zeller Eisbären – Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 7:1 (1:0, 2:0, 4:1)
Referees: HUBER R., LAZZERI, Abeltino, Dummermuth-Haas
Goals EKZ: Jennes (18th, 58th), Schmid (27th), Szypula (36th, 45th/PP, 58th), Tomazevic (45th)
Goal WSV: Brunner (41.)
Final score in the best-of-7 series: 4:1
alps.hockey , Image: EKZ / Johannes Radlwimmer
