HC Eppan narrowly missed out on the Coppa Italia final. © Diego Barbieri

Eppan loses dramatic semi-final

HC Eppan narrowly missed out on the Coppa Italia final. The South Tyrolean team equalized three times after falling behind against Alleghe, but ultimately lost in the penalty shootout.

10 January 2026

From: never

The final of the Milano Hockey Finals, which will award the Italian championship and the Italian Cup, has been set – but a South Tyrolean derby will not take place on Sunday (3:30 pm) due to a dramatic match the day before. HC Eppan was only defeated in a penalty shootout (3:4) by Alleghe in a highly intense semi-final.

The game began tactically and evenly. Both teams largely neutralized each other, and clear scoring chances were initially scarce. Eppan appeared slightly more active in the first period, but the best opportunity fell to Alleghe: Mathias De Nardin's powerful shot struck the crossbar. An early power-play goal by Eppan's Curtis Roach was disallowed for a rule violation. The first period ended scoreless.

Eppan shows nerves of steel three times

The remainder of the game became a true test of character for the Pirates. The match picked up considerable pace, with Alleghe taking the lead after about three and a half minutes through Edgar de Toni (23:34). Less than a minute later, Eppan equalized through Andreas Radin (24:13). This back-and-forth pattern repeated itself immediately: Diego Iori forced a 2-1 lead for Alleghe (25:12), but Nicolas Amici once again provided the South Tyrolean response (28:38). Eppan subsequently had several power-play opportunities, but their opponents managed to hold on for the draw until the break.

Eppan and Alleghe engaged in a fierce battle. © Diego Barbieri

After a long double penalty kill, Alleghe struck again in the third period, with Francesco Soppelsa scoring from a sharp angle to make it 3-2 (46:41). Alleghe subsequently missed several opportunities to seal the victory, partly because Eppan held firm defensively and refused to give up. Their efforts were rewarded late in the game: Roach fed Jack Edward Williamson, who deflected the puck to tie the game at 3-3 and send it to overtime (57th minute). In overtime, Alleghe killed off another penalty kill before the Italians secured their place in the final with a goal from de Toni in the shootout. They will face the Kaltern Pike in the final on Sunday.

Coppa Italia, Semi-final – Match on Saturday

Alleghe – HC Eppan 4:3 nP
Goals: 1:0 de Toni (23.34), 1:1 Radin (24.13), 2:1 Iori (25.12), 2:2 Amici (28.38), 3:2 Soppelsa (46.41), 3:3 Williamson (56.17), 4:3 de Toni (SO)