The Wipptal Broncos scored a three-pointer. © Wipptal Broncos / Social Media

Wipptal's silent victory in Croatia

The Wipptal Broncos are still in the fast lane in the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL). On Saturday they celebrated an important away win at league newcomer Sisak. The game against the Croatians was under a special star.

21 December 2024

From: leo

A seven-year-old schoolgirl was killed in a knife attack at a school in Croatia's capital Zagreb on Friday. The game between Sisak and the Broncos was in jeopardy as a result, but was ultimately played. As a sign of respect, no music was played during the game, and no other show elements were included. After these special 60 minutes, the Broncos were victorious with a score of 3:1.

The two teams were on equal terms throughout the game. The first goal was only scored in the 32nd minute, when Patrik Dobric hit the top corner with pinpoint accuracy during the power play. Sisak then managed the lead skillfully and only allowed a few scoring opportunities.

Ruthless Broncos

Five minutes before the end of the game, however, goal scorer Dobric was the one who made a move that decided the game. He received a match penalty for checking the boards and had to watch as the Wild Horses scored twice within 47 seconds in the ensuing power play. First, Luciano Zandegiacomo deflected a Niccolai shot, then Adam Capannelli benefited from a perfect cross pass from Livingston. Shortly before the end, Capannelli finally made everything clear with an empty-net goal.

Ethan Szypula & Co. suffered a bitter defeat. © Max Pattis

At the same time, the Rittner Buam suffered a heavy defeat in their away game against EC Kitzbühel. In the 3:7 defeat, the reigning champions sorely missed their number one goalie Colin Furlong. His replacement Florian Platter had to accept the 24:0 goal from Janik Fröwis after just 1 seconds. However, the guests made up the 0:2 and 1:3 deficit by halfway through the game. Marco Insam, Eric Hjorth and Simon Kostner were on the scoresheet.

Just 50 seconds after the 3:3 equaliser, Chris Schutz put the home team back in front. Jamie Russell's team failed to react after that, and instead the North Tyroleans pushed the score even higher. This was the fourth defeat for the boys in the last five matches. Ritten had already lost the first duel of the season in Kitzbühel 2:6.

Alps Hockey League:

HK Celje – EK Zell am See 3:4 nP
Goals: 1:0 Mintautiskis (1.41), 2:0 Bernard (12.47), 3:0 Tsarkovskyi (23.49), 3:1 Jennes (29.11), 3:2 Jennes (34.30), 3:3 Jennes (49.56), decisive penalty: Huard
Audience: 200

KHL Sisak – Wipptal Broncos 1:3
Goals: 1:0 Dobric (31.18), 1:1 Zandegiacomo (57.51), 1:2 Capannelli (58.38), 1:3 Capannelli (59.31)
Audience: 1134

EC Kitzbühel – Rittner Buam 7:3
Goals: 1:0 Fröwis (00.24), 2:0 Ketonen (6.21), 2:1 Insam (7.33), 3:1 Schmid (11.09), 3:2 Hjorth (15.19), 3:3 Kostner (32.07), 4:3 Schutz (32.57), 5:3 Engelhart (41.57), 6:3 Podlipnik (47.35), 7:3 Waschnig (53.46)
Audience: 019

SG Cortina – HDD Jesenice 1:2
Tore: 1:0 Pompanin (4.45), 1:1 Valtola (22.36), 1:2 Svetina (58.02)
Audience: 455

The table