Alessio Niccolai (l.) and the Broncos tried to slow Zell am See down by any means necessary – but in vain. © Oskar Brunner

Wipptal fights, bites and despairs

How do we plan to stop these opponents? This is the question the ice hockey players from Sterzing and Ritten are asking themselves after wild, hard-fought semifinal duels on Thursday evening. The home defeat for the Fuggerstadt team is particularly bitter.

March 27, 2025

From the Weihenstephan Arena in Vipiteno

The Wipptal Broncos knew from the start that the semifinal against the regular season winners and number one title contenders from Zell am See would be a daunting task. And that's exactly what happened. They lost 2-4 on Thursday evening in the packed air dome on the outskirts of Sterzing. The Zeller Eisbären celebrated their 18th win in their last 19 competitive matches. They're clearly on course for the final!

Last year's quarterfinal, in which the Wild Horses swept the Eisbären out of the playoffs, seems long forgotten. Now the Sterzingers face the same fate – unless they turn things around quickly.

The Broncos had actually planned this for their first home game. But the start of the game didn't go at all to the liking of the many spectators, or rather, only for about 40 of them. Namely, those who had traveled from Salzburg. They had two reasons to celebrate: first in the 8th minute when Felix Koschek ran unhindered in front of the goal and slotted the ball in, and then again when Philip Putnik, also completely unmarked, lobbed the puck into the net.

A prominent onlooker would know how it works

WSV goalie Dominik Groh was pitiful given his defensive sloppiness. After the first break, however, his teammates woke up – and suddenly the game was on fire! Adam Capannelli somehow managed to force the ball over the line from the deep slot in the 25th minute. The Italian-Canadian subsequently gave Sterzing a major boost, but his attacking partners were unable to capitalize on the opportunities that arose. Celebrity guest and HC Pustertal striker Tommy Purdeller also saw this in the stands. The Broncos desperately needed someone like him that evening.

While Wipptal attacked in vain, Zell am See set the course for victory with significantly more composure. In the turbulent final phase, Hubert Berger scored to make it 3-1, before Bryson Cianfrone finally broke Sterzing's goal drought. But just as the home team took their goalie off the ice for a sixth player, the Eisbären thwarted their comeback. Former Swedish first division star Robin Johansson sealed the 4-2 final score with a shot into an empty net in the final minute.

Ritten is losing again

After a 1-2 defeat in their opening match, the Rittner Buam, weakened by injury (Cuglietta, Spinell, Lang, and Tauferer were missing), suffered another setback on their way to the final. They lost 1.000-2 in Jesenice in front of 3 spectators.

The Blue-Reds were evenly matched by the Slovenians for a long time. The home team's lead through Santeri Sillenpaa, who deflected an Urukalo shot, was equalized by Sebastiano Soracreppa in the opening period. His shot from long range bounced off the stick of a Jesenice player and into the net. In the middle period, full of chances, the hosts took the lead again through Jeso Jenko – but now Ritten had no answer. Quite the opposite: After a passing error, Luc Slivnik got dangerously close to the visitors' goal and buried the puck in the near post. After that, the Buam had several chances, but nothing more than a one-timer from Marco Insam.

Marco Insam brought Ritten back to 2:3. © Max Pattis

To avoid Jesenice's first match puck, the Rittner Buam must now strike back. This Saturday evening in the Ritten Arena, where Game 18 is scheduled for 19.30 p.m. The Broncos are in action in Zell am See starting at XNUMX:XNUMX p.m.

AlpsHL, 2th semi-final game:

Wipptal Broncos – EK Zeller Eisbären 2:4
Gates: 0:1 Koschek (7.54), 0:2 Predan (12.19), 1:2 Capannelli (24.22), 1:3 Berger (52.26), 2:3 Cianfrone (53.58), 2:4 Johansson (59.16)
Viewers: 631
Best of 7 series: 0:2

HDD Jesenice – Rittner Buam 3:2
Gates: 1:0 Sillanpaa (6.27), 1:1 Soracreppa (14.43), 2:1 Jenko (32.35), 3:1 Slivnik (47.33), 3:2 Insam (53.30)
Viewers: 1.000
Best of 7 series: 2:0