Tobias Brighenti played his 200th match in the Unterland jersey. © Serena Fantini

Sixth game, fifth loss: Cavaliers in crisis

The Unterland Cavaliers celebrated their first and so far only victory of the new Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL) season against the Rittner Buam. However, further successes were denied to Alex Egger and Co., who also lost the basement clash against Asiago on Tuesday.

07 October 2025

From: leo

The Unterland Cavaliers began the new season with only three foreign players and a very young team. Their goal was a mid-table finish. After six games, Juhani Matikainen's team, which is still without regulars Thomas Galimberti and Moritz Kaufmann, sits at the bottom of the table. On Tuesday, the Cavs lost 4-1 to the previous bottom-placed team, Asiago.

On the plateau, Tobias Brighenti and his team came under intense pressure from the first minute. Goalkeeper Laurin Foppa was able to parry a solo effort by Alessandro Parco, but he had no chance against Marco Magnabosco's precise shot from the slot. The visitors failed to respond. Even on two power plays, they were unable to seriously challenge Asiago goalie Rudy Rigoni.

Asiago celebrated its first home win. © Serena Fantini

The Stellati improved in the second period: After Ryan Valentini's attempt was blocked, Nicholas Porco suddenly found himself completely unmarked in front of Foppa and increased the lead to 2-0 with a follow-up shot. A short time later, Unterland had a tough time: 19-year-old Andrea Miglioranzi beat Foppa under his catching hand on a counterattack and increased the lead to 3-0 with his first goal in the AlpsHL. There was no comeback in the final period, but instead, Filippo Rigoni, who escaped, pushed the score even higher. Unterland only managed to add to the score with Davide Girardi's follow-up shot.

Welychka's dream debut

At the same time, the Rittner Buam celebrated an important victory against last year's finalists, Jesenice. The Slovenians, who had traveled with only three players, suffered a 3-0 defeat. Newcomer Brett Welychka was named Man of the Match, scoring a goal and providing an assist in his first game for the Buam.

Brett Welychka immediately showed his class. © Max Pattis

With 40 seconds left in the first period, Welychka opened the scoring. Jesenice, which had significantly more shots than Ritten, couldn't find a way past goalkeeper Colin Furlong in the second period either. Their lack of composure took its toll, as Adam Giacomuzzi (on a pass from Welychka) and the 18-year-old Max Oberrauch sealed the game in the final period.

Alps Hockey League:

HC Asiago – Unterland Cavaliers 4:1
Goals: 1:0 Magnabosco (6.54), 2:0 Porco (27.11), 3:0 Miglioranzi (30.20), 4:0 Filippo Rigoni (41.18), 4:1 Girardi (57.57)
Audience: 900

Rittner Buam – HDD Jesenice 3:0
Goals: 1:0 Welychka (19.20), 2:0 Giacomuzzi (44.21), 3:0 Oberrauch (46.16)
Spectators: 271

The table