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HC Pustertal defeated HC Innsbruck. © Social Media / HC Pustertal
Landslide victory at the start: Pustertal party in Innsbruck
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal couldn't have dreamed of a better start to the new ICE Hockey League (ICEHL) season. With a stellar performance, the Wolves blasted the pitiful HC Innsbruck out of their rink on Friday evening.
September 12, 2025
From: leo
Much was said in the run-up to the new season about the Black and Yellows' increased ambitions. However, the truth, as we all know, is on the ice. Tommy Purdeller and his team were all the more motivated to put their money where their mouth is at Innsbruck's Tiwag Arena. With an impressive performance in which the Wolves didn't give their opponents a chance, the Pustertalers made the desired statement. In the 8-1 victory over the toothless Sharks, two players in particular took center stage.
On the one hand, there's Cole Bardreau. Unobtrusive during preseason, the former NHL player literally played his way into a frenzy beyond the Brenner Pass. In his first competitive game for the Wolves, he promptly scored a hat trick. He also provided two assists. The omnipresent Henry Bowlby finished the game with the same stats. Two hat tricks in one game – you don't see that every day. Linemate Nick Saracino also made a name for himself with a goal and three assists.
Pustertal several classes better
Given the decisive final score, it would be hard to believe that the game began with a scary moment for the visitors. JC Lipon received a match penalty for checking the boards after just four minutes. However, the referees reviewed the incident and converted the major penalty to a minor. After the initial shock had passed, Pustertal picked up steam. Innsbruck found no answer to the South Tyroleans' powerful, straightforward game, playing amateurishly at times, and had to acknowledge the class difference without envy.
Cole Bardreau scored three times. © Georgios Papaconstantis
Despite this success, coach Jason Jaspers and his team will remain grounded, as Innsbruck, in this form, is hardly a serious opponent. A much closer game is expected on Sunday, when the Graz 99ers visit the Intercable Arena as part of the Family Day (17 p.m.). HC Bozen lost 3:4 to champions Red Bull Salzburg on Friday.
The highlights
| Rueschoff does it alone | The Wolves' first goal of the season is a beautiful one: The US player charges at goal from the left flank, leaving goalkeeper Matthew Vernon no chance. Bowlby makes it 2-0 before the end of the period, after the Innsbruck defense was collectively asleep. |
| Bowlby again | At the start of the middle period, Bowlby scores twice after a one-two with Saracino – and the puck is in the net again. Shortly thereafter, Bardreau increases the lead with a rebound shot. |
| The third line accelerates | The Wolves weren't fazed by the temporary 1-4 deficit. Saracino from the slot and Bardreau, who benefited from a Vernon blunder, pushed the score to 6-1. |
| Even in the minority it works | Pustertal slowed down in the final third. However, they still managed to score two goals – despite being shorthanded. Bardreau outshined an Innsbruck player with a cool finish from a corner, and Bowlby also capitalized on a solo effort. |
HC Innsbruck – HC Pustertal 1:8
HCI: Vernon (Brandner); Kudla-Steffler, Kerber-Moberg, Frimmel-Lattner, Ebner-Klingler; Witting-Owre-Benker, Bär-Lajeunesse-Craighead, Sproule-Corbeil-Rappold, Dobnig-Mader-Klassek.Coach: Kinasewich
HCP: Pasquale (Rabanser); Blum-Zanatta, Di Tomaso-Lauridsen, Osmanski-Glira; Purdeller-Ticar-Lipon, Rueschoff-Frycklund-Ierullo, Saracino-Bardreau-Bowlby, Lobis-Andergassen-Mantinger.
Coach: Jaspers
Gates: 0:1 Rueschoff (7.45), 0:2 Bowlby (17.44), 0:3 Bowlby (22.03), 0:4 Bardreau (25.03), 1:4 Owre (29.14), 1:5 Saracino (32.47), 1:6 Bardreau (36.46), 1:7 Bardreau (47.24), 1:8 Bowlby (57.43)
Viewers: 2300
ICE Hockey League
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Black Wings Linz – Pioneers Vorarlberg 5:2
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Olimpija Ljubljana – Vienna Capitals 8-1
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Goals: 1:0 Cole Schneider (9.51), 1:1 St. Denis (21.20), 1:2 Thaler (25.03), 1:3 Gesson (28.26), 2:3 Frigo (35.55), 2:4 St. Denis (48.02), 3:4 Barberio (55.14)
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The table
| SP | G | U | V | TV | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. HC Pustertal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8:1 | 3 |
| 1. Olimpija Ljubljana | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 8:1 | 3 |
| 3. EC Klagenfurt | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4:0 | 3 |
| 4. Linz | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5:2 | 3 |
| 5. EC Villach | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4:2 | 3 |
| 6. EC Salzburg | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4:3 | 3 |
| 7. Graz99ers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0:0 | 0 |
| 8. HCB South Tyrol | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3:4 | 0 |
| 9. Ferencvarosi | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2:4 | 0 |
| 10. Vorarlberg | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2:5 | 0 |
| 11. Fehervar | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0:4 | 0 |
| 12. HC Innsbruck | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1:8 | 0 |
| 12. Vienna Capitals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1:8 | 0 |
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