The Wipptal Broncos (in black) also lost to the Zeller Eisbären in Game 4. © Oskar Brunner

Bitter end to the season: The Broncos lack efficiency

The Wipptal Broncos can plan their vacation: The Sterzinger team suffered a sweep in the semifinal series of the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL) against the Zeller Eisbären. The home team did anything but poorly on Tuesday evening.

01 April 2025

From the Weihenstephan Arena in Vipiteno

After the Broncos won the quarterfinal series against the Zeller Eisbären 4-0 last year, the Pinzgau team turned the tables in the semifinals this year. With a 3-0 victory, Zell am See advanced to the AlpsHL final for the first time on Tuesday in Sterzing. For the Broncos, however, the final remains a dream.

Like last year, Sterzing was eliminated in the semifinals this year, albeit without winning a single game. The trend of the last few games continued in Game 4: The passionate Broncos lacked any kind of efficiency. Especially in the first two periods, Adam Capannelli and Co. were repeatedly thwarted by the strong visiting goalkeeper Max Zimmermann.

Even Dominik Groh couldn't prevent the Broncos' season from ending. © Oskar Brunner

In the final period, the visitors grew stronger and sought a decisive victory. Initially, Salzburg repeatedly thwarted Sterzing's goalie Dominik Groh, who was acclaimed with chants of applause. The Eisbären, still undefeated in the playoffs, defeated Groh five minutes before the end when Hubert Berger tricked the Czech with a beautiful body feint. The home team was unable to respond. Instead, Zell am See sealed the 3-0 final score through Philipp Putnik and Max Wilfan.

While the Wipptal Broncos said goodbye to their home fans for their summer vacation, an Austrian team is in the AlpsHL final for the first time. The Eisbären, which meet the HDD Jesenice there, They made significant upgrades last summer, and it seems to have paid off. In the end, their superior quality prevailed. The Broncos only managed four goals in the entire semifinal series.

AlpsHL, 4th semi-final game:

Wipptal Broncos – EK Zeller Eisbären 0:3
0:1 Berger (54.40), 0:2 Putnik (55.41), 0:3 Wilfan (57.33)
Audience: 524
Best of 7 series: 0:4


HDD Jesenice – Rittner Buam 4:3 aet
1:0 Lesnicar (32.45), 1:1 Szypula (36.51), 2:1 Valtola (53.22), 3:1 Lesnicar (53.46), 3:2 Lobis (56.12), 3:3 Lobis (57.18), 4:3 Valtola (85.27)
Audience: 1.445
Best of 7 series: 4:0