Unbounded jubilation at HCG. © matthaeus kostner

Sheer madness: Gröden sensations in the final

What an incredible story, what emotions: A sensational HC Gherdëina actually managed to eliminate the reigning champions Zell am See in the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL) semi-finals on Tuesday evening. Now the Furies are dreaming of the ultimate upset.

April 07, 2026

From: sn

Had anyone bet on this result two months ago, they would have been considered crazy: HC Gherdëina, who finished the regular season in eleventh place, are in the AlpsHL final – and they did so with playoff victories over the regular season champions, the Red Bull Juniors, and the reigning champions, EK Zell am See. The Fury secured their final victory on Tuesday in front of over 1.800 euphoric fans, thrashing the Eisbären 6-1.

The already electric atmosphere was further intensified after two minutes when Luke Moncada fired the puck into the top corner on a breakaway. After Simon Pitschieler missed another golden opportunity, the Eisbären took control – and gave Gröden's goalie Claes Endre plenty of opportunities to warm up. The Swede excelled against Alexander Rupnik and Max Stiegler, and he also had a stroke of luck when Nick Huard hit the outside of the post on a solo effort. The Furies, however, were far more clinical: Davide Schiavone first made it 2-0 on the first power play of the evening, before Hannes Kasslatter and goal scorer Moncada finished off a textbook 2-on-1 counterattack.

Endre is a wall

Unlike the first period, the Austrians managed to establish themselves in the offensive zone more frequently in the second. This resulted in excellent scoring opportunities – such as Kele Steffler's missed opportunity after a well-rehearsed play. Furthermore, his brother Devin hit the crossbar on the power play. However, HCG remained dangerous with lightning-fast counterattacks. Both the impressive Moncada and Luca Biondi, however, were thwarted by Schmidt on their breakaway attempts.

Zell am See was far from giving up: only 30 seconds into the final period, Ethan Szypula set up Huard on the power play, who beat Endre with a powerful glove shot. Subsequently, Moncada, left unmarked in the slot, and Dmitri Vozovik, who had joined the counterattack, had chances to restore the three-goal lead. However, Schmidt made two brilliant saves with his shoulder.

Zell am See without antidote

Then the fans began to tremble, as Zell am See pinned HCG in their own zone for minutes at a time. It was thanks to an outstanding performance from Endre that the visitors couldn't close the gap.

Davide Schiavone scored the second goal.

The game was decided when the Austrians pulled Schmidt from the ice, allowing the home team to score two empty-net goals through Kasslatter and Biondi. Zell am See then vented their frustration with some unsportsmanlike conduct, but Marcel Skokan's team didn't respond to the provocations. Instead, Vlastimil Dostalek sealed the 6-1 victory on a 5-on-3 power play. After that, there was no holding back the celebrations at the Pranives Arena – no wonder, as this is HCG's first final since their Serie A2 days in 2012.

It is still unclear who HCG will face in the final. In the second semi-final, HC Meran managed to even the series against KHL Sisak. Christian Borgatello's team won the sixth game of the series 4-3.

Alps Hockey League, semi-finals:

HC Gherdëina – EK Zell am See 6:1
Goals: 1:0 Moncada (1.55), 2:0 Schiavone (11.34), 3:0 Moncada (14.41), 3:1 Huard (40.30), 4:1 Kasslatter (56.18), 5:1 Biondi (56.54), 6:1 Dostalek (58.38)
Audience: 1835
Score in the series: 4:2

HC Meran – KHL Sisak 4:3
Goals: 0:1 Juric (16.55), 1:1 Claesson (23.02), 1:2 Juric (28.11), 2:2 Nousiainen (35.05), 3:2 Fuchs (36.15), 3:3 Juric (39.59), 4:3 Gellon (40.48)
Audience: 1071
Score in the series: 3:3