The Pirates successfully mastered their season premiere. © HC Eppan

Celebrations in Eppan and Kaltern: Überetsch rules in the IHL

On the second matchday of the Italian Hockey League, the four teams from South Tyrol were among themselves. The conclusion of this big derby evening: Brixen and Toblach bite the bullet!

September 28, 2023

From: fop

For the Falcons from the cathedral city, the false start to the new season is perfect. After 2:5 at the start against Fiemme They were also subject to this with the same result HC Eppan. For the Pirates it was the first win in the first game of the season.

However, it should be noted that the game in front of around 200 spectators in the ice rink in St. Michael was much more balanced and exciting than the result suggests. The Falcons even had a 2-1 lead after goals from Mattia Covelli and Nolan Redler before Daniel Erlacher equalized halfway through the game. Riccardo Tombolato and Erlacher, who both scored a brace, as well as Matthias Pardatscher got the Pirates on track with their goals. Although the Brixen team, who lost Elias Fauster in the 29th minute with a match penalty for checking the boards, shot on goal just as often as Eppan (34:36), in the end the Überetsch special teams were decisive. Captain Erlacher scored both when he was outnumbered and outnumbered.

Kaltern flawless

With three points on the side, the HCE immediately sets off on the hunt for their arch rivals from Kaltern, who have the full number of points after two rounds. The pike celebrated a 3-0 shutout win in their home debut against Dobbiaco.

The KSV dominated the game over almost the entire distance and gave its goalie Alex Andergassen a relaxed evening. The Kalter homegrown player was always there for the 15 shots that hit his goal. Meanwhile, the people in front of him also ensured clear results on the scoreboard with one goal per third. The 40-year-old “evergreen” Teemu Virtala made it 15-1 in the 0th minute, while last year's Moritz Selva from Eppan made it 33-2 with his third goal of the season in the 0rd minute. He scored in the power play – just like Mattia Clericuzio in the final 3-0 in the 44th minute.

KSV goalie Alex Andergassen celebrates his first shutout of the season. © rachele_mearelli/Social Media SV Kaltern

The polar bears from the east of South Tyrol are holding one point after two rounds, while Kaltern is leading the table with the newcomers and surprise team Feltre Splits. The Bellunese won in Cavalese with 3:2, same as Pergine at home against Alleghe. Master Varese swept Puppy 800:6 from the ice in front of almost 1 spectators.

The 2th round at a glance:

HC Eppan ANet – HC Brixen Falcons 5:2
Goals: 1:0 Tombolato (3.07), 1:1 Covelli (5.29), 1:2 Redler (26.56), 2:2 Erlacher (30.10), 3:2 Tombolato (35.49), 4:2 Erlacher (52.49), 5:2 Pardatscher (58.57)
Audience: 180

SV Kaltern rothoblaas – HC Toblach Icebears 3:0
Goals: 1:0 Teemu Virtala (14.42), 2:0 Selva (32.12), 3:0 Clericuzio (43.58)
Audience: 140

Hockey Pergine Sapiens – Alleghe Hockey 3:2
Goals: 1:0 Christian Buono (2.26), 2:0 Christian Buono (22.25), 2:1 Nicola Soppelsa (33.59), 2:2 Francesco Soppelsa (50.21), 3:2 Christian Buono (56.33)
Audience: 320

Vadifiemme HC – HC Feltreghiaccio 2:3
Goals: 1:0 Moucka (10.33), 2:0 Moucka (16.04), 2:1 Blaha (26.40), 2:2 Dall'Agnol (37.15), 2:3 Blaha (45.56)
Audience: 383

HCM Varese – HC Valpellice Bulldogs 6:1
Goals: 1:0 Borghi (2.43), 2:0 Tilaro (9.07), 3:0 Mazzacane (30.46), 3:1 Fornasetti (39.21), 4:1 Allevato (48.22), 5:1 Borghi (57.11), 6:1 Naslund (59.21)
Audience: 757

The table: