Diego Cuglietta shone as a two-goal scorer for Ritten. © Max Pattis

The Ritten Buam are the terror of Val Gardena

Three South Tyrolean teams were in action in the Alps Hockey League on Thursday. The Ritten Buam celebrated a derby victory.

04 December 2025

From: det

When the Ritten Buam have to play against HC Gherdeina this season, they always do so with great enthusiasm. The Val Gardena team has been their favorite opponent so far. On Thursday, the players from the high plateau prevailed 4-1 in the Pranives arena in Selva di Val Gardena, thus winning their third encounter of the season against the Ladin team. The previous matches had ended 5-2 and 5-1.

The game started well for Ritten, who quickly took the lead through Welychka: The forward's shot found the back of the net just under the glove of Val Gardena goalie Paul Hofer (8th minute). Val Gardena subsequently played some attractive hockey, but lacked bite. And so Ritten extended their lead in the second period: Cuglietta capitalized on an Alderson breakout and fired home to make it 2-0 (28th minute).

Ritten and Gröden engaged in a thrilling duel. © Max Pattis

In the final period, Gröden briefly rekindled their hopes when Kasslatter scored to make it 1-2 after a 2-on-1 break. However, the Ladin team then shot themselves in the foot with two penalties: Crespi (51st minute) and Cuglietta (56th minute) both capitalized on power-play opportunities to seal a 4-1 victory for Ritten.

Turbulent Merano match

Meanwhile, HC Meran and the Kitzbühel Eagles played out a wild match. In the end, the struggling team from the Passer River had to admit defeat, losing 4-5 and suffering their seventh consecutive loss. In a game where the lead changed hands repeatedly, Kitzbühel forward Matic Podlipnik became the match-winner: He first scored the equalizer at 4-4 (46th minute) and then the winning goal for his team, making it 5-4 (53rd minute).

Alps Hockey League, games on Thursday

HC Meran – Kitzbüheler Adler 4:5
Goals: 1:0 Sherbinin (4.06), 1:1 Maxa (11.08), 1:2 Crnkic (20.17), 2:2 Tomasini (28.16), 2:3 Krainz (30.47), 3:3 Cruseman (31.51), 4:3 Traversa (35.14), 4:4 Podlipnik (45.20), 4:5 Podlipnik (52.01)
Audience: 302

HC Gherdeina – Rittner Buam 1:4
Goals: 0:1 Welychka (7.12), 0:2 Cuglietta (27.23), 1:2 Kasslatter (45.57), 1:3 Crespi (50.10), 1:4 Cuglietta (55.23)
Audience: 387