Cristiano DiGiacinto is in great form. © Vanna Antonello

One blockbuster after another for HC Bozen

HC Bozen is racing from one top match to the next in the ICE Hockey League. On Friday, the Foxes travel to Graz.

09 January 2026

From: det

It's a truly monstrous schedule that HCB Südtirol Alperia currently has to manage. Last Saturday... Derby against HC Pustertal, on Monday the Big match against Red Bull Salzburg And now the top match against the Graz99ers – HCB fans are really getting their money's worth right now. The Foxes will be visiting the Styrians on Friday at 6:30 pm.

Captain Daniel Frank and his teammates are coming off a memorable match against Salzburg: In front of 5.000 fans at the Sparkasse Arena, the two powerhouses battled it out in a playoff-style contest, which Salzburg ultimately won in a penalty shootout. Nevertheless, Bolzano's form is remarkable: The Red and Whites have earned points in six consecutive games, and their only regular-time loss since December 7th was their home defeat against Vienna on December 20th.

Brad McClure, the second-highest scorer in the league.

HC Bolzano currently sits in fourth place, six points behind Graz (second, with one more game played). The Styrian team is in excellent form, despite their loss to Fehervar on January 5th, which ended a five-game winning streak. In their two previous encounters with Bolzano this season, the 99ers emerged victorious, once in a penalty shootout and once with a decisive 6-3 win.

Schneider is becoming a father and will be absent

Regarding the lineup, Coach Doug Shedden will have to do without top scorer Cole Schneider on Friday, who has stayed in Bolzano due to the impending birth of his second child, as well as long-term injured players Gianluca Vallini and Mark Barberio. Newcomer Matt Cairns will be available, while the other new signing, Matteo Gennaro, still needs to undergo medical examinations before he can play.

On Sunday, HCB will host the struggling Villacher SV at 16 p.m. Also on Sunday, HC Pustertal will be back in action. The Wolves, who have a bye on Friday, will face the league's most in-form team, the Red Bulls from Salzburg, at 18 p.m. in the Intercable Arena.

ICE, the games from the weekend

Friday
18.30 pm
Graz99ers – HC Bozen
FTC-Telekom – Pioneers Vorarlberg

19.15 pm
Vienna Capitals – Black Wings Linz
Red Bull Salzburg – Olimpija Ljubljana
Villacher SV – Klagenfurter AC
Fehervar AV19 – HC Innsbruck


Saturday
Fehervar AV19 – Pioneers Vorarlberg (5:30 pm)
FTC-Telekom – HC Innsbruck (6:30 p.m.)


Sunday
16 pm
HC Bozen – Villacher SV
Olimpija Ljubljana – Black Wings Linz

17.30 pm
Graz99ers – Vienna Capitals

18 pm
HC Pustertal – Red Bull Salzburg