Jonny Vallini and the Foxes have their sights set on the CHL playoffs. © VANNA ANTONELLO

The real highlight before the derby: Bolzano welcomes Ingolstadt

There's one dominant topic in South Tyrolean sports these days: Friday's derby between HC Pustertal and HC Bozen. Two days earlier, however, a Champions League clash takes place at the Sparkasse Arena, one with significantly greater sporting significance. And one that's a very special one for the Bolzano coach.

07 October 2025

On the penultimate matchday of the Champions Hockey League group stage, HCB Südtirol Alperia can take a huge step towards the playoffs.

With a win on Wednesday (from 19.45 a.m. in SportNews-Ticker) against ERC Ingolstadt, the Foxes would jump from their current 17th place in the standings to the Top 16, which would allow them to advance. The decision will be made in the final game in Luleå, Sweden, in a week's time.

Without three against Spornberger and Co.

But even the duel with Ingolstadt is a tough one. The Upper Bavarians may be languishing in the lower midfield of the DEL, but are currently twelfth in the CHL, on course for the playoffs. They recently won both in Zug and Lausanne. Among them is Peter Spornberger, a Bozen native, last year. The 26-year-old Rittner has only been used sporadically in the DEL, but he has always been on the ice in the premier league.

Bozen and Ingolstadt have only faced each other in friendly matches so far – as here in 2019.

And who will be playing for HCB? Three players are certain to be unavailable: The two defenders, Philip Samuelsson and Dylan DiPerna, are out injured, and Bryce Misley suffered a leg injury during Tuesday's practice. He, too, has to withdraw due to injury. In goal, the in-form backup Jonny Vallini is likely to be preferred over Sam Harvey. HCB coach Kurt Kleinendorst, however, has refrained from confirming his decision, as SportNews Tuesday afternoon in the Sparkasse Arena in the following short interview.


Mr. Kleinendorst, how much do the absences dampen your anticipation for this European Cup evening?

Kurt Kleinendorst: Not at all. I hope we'll have the injured players back on board soon, but this gives other players a chance to make an impact. In such a long season, it's common to be missing two or three players. We won't let that throw us off track.


It's going to be an intense week with four games in seven days. Is your team ready?

That's not even a question for me. We're ready for the game against Ingolstadt; nothing else concerns me today. The boys must and will give it their all. Starting Thursday morning, we'll be thinking about Bruneck. That's what we did after Sunday's win against Ljubljana. I hope everyone used their day off yesterday to unwind and recover. When they enter the arena this morning, their focus must be solely on Ingolstadt. We're taking it game by game.

“I have no connection to ERC Ingolstadt” HCB coach Kurt Kleinendorst

Speaking of Ingolstadt: You were active there as a coach and player in the past. How close is your connection to the club?

I made friendships in Ingolstadt that have lasted to this day. However, I have no connection to ERC Ingolstadt. None of the players from back then are still with us; a lot has changed in and around the club. It was a great experience, a wonderful time. I love Germany and German ice hockey. But that doesn't matter to me at all on Wednesday. It's a game I have to win. That's it.


How do you rate Ingolstadt?

I'm sure the team is better than the DEL standings reflect. I also know Ingolstadt's coach, Mark French; we've faced each other several times. I'm sure he will prepare his players very well. But with all due respect, we have to focus on ourselves first and foremost. If we play our best hockey, we'll have a great night.

The 4th round of the Champions Hockey League:

Tuesday, 7. October
Lukko Rauma – EV Zug
Mountfield HK – KalPa Kuopio
Brynas IF – Storhamar Hamar
Eisbären Berlin – Frölunda Gothenburg
Pinguins Bremerhaven – Luleå Hockey
ZSC Lions – Sparta Prague

Wednesday October 8th
Kometa Brno – Ilves Tampere
Odense Bulldogs – RB Salzburg
HC Bozen – ERC Ingolstadt
SC Bern – Belfast Giants
Grenoble – Lausanne HC
Klagenfurt – GKS Tychy