The Unterland Cavaliers celebrate their first win of the season against HC Meran. © Vanna Antonello

Unterland puts an end to Meran's hellish activities

December 5th is the day on which the Krampus figures chase through the streets of South Tyrol's villages. This also happened on Thursday evening in Neumarkt, where the hellish goings-on later moved to the ice rink and almost ended in a devilish déjà vu.

05 December 2024

From the Würtarena in Neumarkt

Early on Thursday evening, the traditional Krampus run took place under the Neumarkt arcades. Marked by the wild goings-on, some of the 370 spectators took their seats in the Würtharena with soot and shoe polish on their faces. There, the next horror awaited them: As in the first meeting between Unterland and Meran on September 26, the home team squandered a 3-0 lead. This time, however, they did not lose in overtime, but rather won 4-3.

First, it was Unterland's youngsters who swept across the ice like wild Krampus. Lukas Goldner (22 years old) with a hidden slap shot, exceptional talent Alex Egger (20 years old) following up from close range and Villi Pisetta (17 years old) after a fine combination shot the Cavs into a 3-0 lead before half the game was even finished.

Cavs youth are causing trouble

Since Merano had hardly been played up until then, everything seemed to be heading towards a clear home victory. In the second break, however, HCM coach Jarrod Skalde must have pulled out all the stops. Because in the final period, the bottom team played like a different team. They equalized at 3:3 with pressure, strong combinations and a killer instinct in the finish. David Trivellato, Skate Skalde and Patrick Madsen secured at least one point for the spa town team.

The fact that the mega comeback was not rewarded with a win was due to Kristians Samitis. After Meran's Skalde lost the puck on the boards in overtime, Unterland's Latvian striker - who is also only 21 years old - scored the winning goal to make it 4:3. He thus prevented a hellish déjà vu for the Cavs.

League leader celebrates on Ritten

Around 350 spectators also enjoyed an extended ice hockey evening in the Arena Ritten - but with the better end for the guests. The Zeller Eisbären defended their lead in the table with a hard-fought 2:1 victory after a penalty shootout and at the same time inflicted the Buam's second defeat in a row. They therefore missed out on the chance to move up to first place.

Manuel Öhler (l.) and Co. had to let Zell am See go first. © Max Pattis

After a goalless opening period, the home team were lucky when Nicklas Huard only hit the post in the 24th minute. On the other side, the Rittners did better shortly afterwards and took the lead. Adam Giacomuzzi successfully deflected a shot from Sebastiano Soracreppa to make it 1-0. The guests, who were on equal terms, managed to equalize after just over half an hour: Colin Furlong was unable to hold onto a shot from Lindner and Philip Putnik successfully volleyed in his 14th goal of the season (33.25). After that, there were no goals to admire for a long time - until Robin Johansson sank the decisive penalty for the Eisbären.

Thursday's results:

Ritten - Zell am See 1:2 nP
Goals: 1:0 Giacomuzzi (25.08), 1:1 Putnik (33.25), 1:2 Johansson (decisive penalty)
Audience: 352

Unterland - Meran 4:3 aet
Goals: 1:0 Goldner (19.55), 2:0 Egger (21.02), 3:0 Villi Pisetta (28.21), 3:1 Trivellato (40.33), 3:2 Madsen (49.17), 3:3 Skalde (51.48) , 4:3 Samitis
Audience: 370

Kitzbühel - Jesenice 4:2
Goals: 0:1 Brus (17.34), 1:1 Fröwis (19.32), 2:1 Ketonen (45.28), 3:1 Podlipnik (48.50), 3:2 Valtola (51.05), 4:2 Schutz (58.50)
Audience: 638

Celje - Sisak 1:5
Goals: 0:1 Briere (5.16), 0:2 Briere (26.30), 1:2 Mintautiskis (28.14), 1:3 Briere (40.14), 1:4 Idzan (46.52), 1:5 Marinkovic (51.46)
Audience: 300