Luca Zanatta & Co. beat Ziga Pance and Olimpija Ljubljana. © Domen Jancic

Pustertal gratefully accepts Laibach's gift

Just in time for the Christmas season, Olimpija Ljubljana were extremely generous on Friday evening in the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). The big beneficiary was HC Falkensteiner Pustertal, who gratefully accepted their opponent's gifts, secured crucial points, and ended an almost uncanny losing streak.

19 December 2025

From: leo

Friday's match between the two teams next to each other in the standings provided plenty of interesting stories. There were the three prominent strikers who were unavailable, a challenge Wolfsburg had to contend with that evening. There was Eddie Pasquale, whose brilliant performance repeatedly thwarted Ljubljana's attacks. And there was an opponent who didn't play like a top team and ran headlong into danger. Wolfsburg were quite happy with the result: thanks to their 4-1 victory, they celebrated their first away win since October 29th.

Three weeks ago, Jason Jaspers' team lost 3-6 in Ljubljana. As a consequence, Raphael Andergassen and his teammates had to relinquish their top spot in the standings. While Pasquale was partly to blame for the defeat back then, the goaltender became the match-winner on Friday. The Canadian only had to make 20 saves, but he frequently rose to the occasion and prevented Slovenia from scoring. He clearly won his duel against Lukas Horak – also because the latter was responsible for the opening goal after a major lapse in concentration. Only eleven seconds had elapsed at that point.

Bardreau is unstoppable.

Even without Tommy Purdeller, Henry Bowlby, and Nick Saracino, who together have scored 31 goals this season, the visitors dictated the game. The 3-0 lead at the first intermission, thanks to Cole Bardreau's spectacular goal and Matthias Mantinger's precise shot, was half the battle won. Subsequently, HCP impressed with consistent defense, great commitment and hustle, and plenty of heart. Daniel Glira's performance, tirelessly working the wing on the fourth line, was emblematic of the entire team's effort.

Raphael Andergassen & Co. fought their way to victory. © Domen Jancic

Even falling behind 1-3 shortly after the start of the final period didn't faze Jaspers' team. Led by the outstanding Bardreau, the Wolves played a simple game, avoided individual errors, and never allowed the Slovenians' individual talents, including league top scorer Nicolai Meyer, to shine. In short: Pustertal played a perfect away game. The three points brought the Wolves level on points with the Green Dragons in the standings. They aim for another three points in less than 48 hours when the Vienna Capitals visit the Intercable Arena (18 p.m.).

Olimpija Ljubljana – HC Pustertal 1:4

HKO: Horak (Kolin); Masic-Brennan, MacWilliam-Kirichenko, Crnovic-Gregorc, Halbert; Meyer-Bukovec-Drozg, Polei-Petan-Mahkovec, Simsic-Quince-Sabolic, Sodja-Bericic-Pance, Kapel.
coach: cooper

HCP: Pasquale (Rabanser); Zanatta-Blum, Almquist-Osmanski, Lauridsen-Di Tomaso, Glira; Lipon-Bardreau-Gschliesser, Rueschoff-Frycklund-Mantinger, Ierullo-Ticar-Lobis, Deluca-Andergassen.
coach: Jasper

Gates: 0:1 Ierullo (00.11), 0:2 Bardreau (11.23), 0:3 Mantinger (19.20), 1:3 Drozg (40.23), 1:4 Bardreau (47.30)

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