Michael Sölva scored two goals. © Manfred Sinn

Thanks to the Sölva brothers: Kaltern defeats Toblach

The first matchday of the Italian Hockey League (IHL) was a tough one on Saturday: Champions Kaltern stumbled against HC 3 Zinnen Dolomites, Brixen celebrated an impressive victory, and the top teams from Aosta and Feltre flexed their muscles.

September 20, 2025

From: leo

SV Kaltern enters the new IHL season as the clear favorites – not least because they signed arguably the league's two best foreign players in the summer, Joonas Alanne and Mikael Saha. However, the Finnish strike pair were largely unimpressive on Saturday evening against HC 3 Zinnen Dolomites. Instead, a pair of brothers, Michael and Maximilian Sölva, took center stage in the 3-1 victory.

Although the visitors had the better of the game from the start, the scoreboard remained quiet for a long time. The goal drought wasn't broken until the 38th minute, when Patrick Rizzo made it 1-0 while Maximilian Sölva was in the penalty box. However, the Caldaro native quickly made up for his "mistake" in the final period. He provided the assist for both of his brother Michael's goals, who scored twice as a defender within a minute and a half. Maximilian Sölva also had a hand in Saha's empty-net goal 50 seconds before the end.

Brixen strong

The Falcons Brixen secured a respectable victory early in the evening. In front of 350 fans, David Pföstl and his team defeated Valdifiemme 4-2. After Gabriel Lanz's early opener and Mattia Cassibba's second goal, the lead held until the 51st minute, when Andrea Odorizzi's second made it 2-2. However, Tobia Pisetta put the home side back in front just 59 seconds later. The decisive goal came when Gabriel Vinatzer made it 4-2 shortly before the final whistle.

Brixen celebrated a victory at the start of the season. © Social Media

HC Eppan, which has to play its games in Kaltern at the start of the season, had a tough time. The Pirates lost 5-2 to runners-up Aosta. After Daniel Eruzione's opening goal while shorthanded, the favorites pulled away to a 4-1 lead with goals from Mattia Mocellin, Dmytro Nimenko, Matteo Mazzocchi, and Simon Helfer. Leo Messner brought the Oltradige team back within a minute, but the comeback was elusive. Instead, Nimenko sealed the victory with a shot into the empty net.

Italian Hockey League:

Falcons Brixen – Valdifiemme 4:2
Goals: 1:0 Lanz (5.13), 2:0 Cassibba (20.27), 2:1 Odorizzi (25.35), 2:2 Odorizzi (50.23), 3:2 Pisetta (51.22), 4:2 Vinatzer (59.17)
Audience: 355

Varese – Fassa 7:4
Goals: 1:0 Mazzacane (2.29), 2:0 Piroso (2.55), 2:1 Ploner (7.46), 3:1 Mazzacane (10.42), 4:1 Tilaro (15.34), 5:1 Bastille (21.44), 5:2 Mikhnov (24.00), 5:3 Kustatscher (33.08), 6:3 Tilaro (33.50), 6:4 Gilmozzi (39.28), 7:4 Terzago (59.59)
Audience: 803

HC Eppan – HC Aosta 2:5
Goals: 1:0 Eruzione (8.17), 1:1 Mocellin (16.29), 1:2 Nimenko (24.23), 1:3 Mazzocchi (25.13), 1:4 Helfer (36.10), 2:4 Messner (43.36), 2:5 Nimenko (59.48)
Audience: 145

HC 3 Zinnen Dolomites – SV Kaltern 1:3
Goals: 1:0 Rizzo (38.42), 1:1 Michael Sölva (40.29), 1:2 Michael Sölva (41.54), 1:3 Saha (59.10)
Audience: 157

HC Feltre – Pergine 8:2
Goals: 1:0 Mraz (18.29), 1:1 Cristellon (22.23), 2:1 Kadlec (28.12), 3:1 Matteo Dall'Agnol (30.38), 4.1 Longhini (36.17), 5:1 Kadlec (38.35), 6:1 Foltin (39.49), 6:2 Sullmann (50.59), 7:2 Kadlec (56.42), 8:2 Longhini (58.36)
Audience: 950

Alleghe Hockey – HC Vallpellice 4:3
Goals: 1:0 Alessio (5.41), 1:1 Salvai (23.29), 2:1 Alessio (25.50), 2:2 Pozzi (44.28), 3:2 Soppelsa (45.25), 4:2 Iori (52.12), 4:3 Savolainen (59.35)
Audience: 375

The table