Ritten's double goalscorer Eric Hjorth showed good early form. © Max Pattis

In the first test: Eppan demands everything from Ritten

HC Eppan from the Italian Hockey League hosted AlpsHL champions Ritten on Tuesday evening. It was a hard-fought start to the pre-season for both teams.

September 03, 2024

From: pm

After three balanced thirds, the score was 4:4 and the game went straight to the penalty shootout, which the Rittner Buam won thanks to the winning goal by Adam Giacomuzzi.

The big favorite from the high plateau took the lead in the first period and was ahead 5.30-13.36 thanks to power play goals from Simon Kostner (2) and Eric Hjorth (0). Eppan scored again in the second period, also on a power play, through Noah Frick (32.18) and turned the score to 45.11-50.10 for Überetsch in the early stages of the final period thanks to Stefano Piechenstein (53.18), Fabian Dellagiacoma (4/PP) and Martin Graf (2).

Eppan scores four times in a row

But the boys didn't let their heads hang and managed to equalize in the last two minutes thanks to goals from Eric Hjorth (58.23) and new signing Sebastiano Soracreppa (59.16/PP). In the shootout, it took a total of 18 penalty shooters before Adam Giacomuzzi ended the game.

On Friday (20 p.m.) the Rittner Buam SkyAlps will play their next test match. They will be heading to Überetsch again, this time to Kaltern, where they will face their own farm team SV Kaltern. Eppan's next home match is on September 13, when league rivals Brixen will come to St. Michael for a test match.


HC Eppan ANet – Rittner Buam SkyAlps 4:5 nP
Goals: 0:1 Simon Kostner (5.30), 0:2 Eric Hjorth (13.36), 1:2 Noah Frick (32.18), 2:2 Stefano Piechensteiner (45.11), 3:2 Fabian Dellagiacoma (50.10), 4:2 Martin Graf (53.18), 4:3 Eric Hjorth (58.23), 4:4 Sebastiano Soracreppa (59.16), 4:5 Adam Giacomuzzi (decisive penalty)