HCB (red) aims to take points against Vorarlberg. © Manfred Mair

Before the derby: Vorarlberg visits South Tyrol

Around the turn of the year, both South Tyrolean ice hockey teams will face the Pioneers Vorarlberg. While HCB Südtirol takes on the team from Vorarlberg on Tuesday, the Wolves from Pustertal aim to secure important points on Thursday.

29 December 2025

From: do

HCB Südtirol hosts Pioneers Vorarlberg at the Sparkasse Arena in Bolzano for their final game of the year. The Foxes are looking to cap off a mixed first half of the season with a victory. Overall, the team's performance so far can be considered positive: Bolzano has comfortably established itself among the league's top six. Nevertheless, the club's management decided to change coaches almost two weeks ago. Experienced Doug Shedden took over from Kurt Kleinendorst at the Foxes' home arena.

Since December 15th, the Canadian has been in charge in the state capital. In the first four games under Shedden, HCB celebrated three victories, suffering only a 2-5 defeat against the Vienna Capitals. However, things aren't running entirely smoothly under the new head coach yet. On Sunday in Villach, Bolzano needed a truly masterful performance from Brad McClure to secure the win. The conclusion so far: Defensively, HCB is solid, but offensively, the red-and-whites need to be more creative and, above all, more efficient.

The Foxes are the favorites. © Manfred Mair

The Pioneers arrive at just the right time to close out the year. With 121 goals conceded in 30 games, the Vorarlberg team has the second-worst defense in the league and also the weakest offense. The fact that the team from Vorarlberg isn't at the bottom of the table is mainly due to Innsbruck's equally struggling side. Bolzano's status as favorites is further underscored by their previous head-to-head encounters this season: HCB won convincingly 6-0 and 7-1. Accordingly, a goal fest is also within the realm of possibility on Tuesday – especially if McClure once again delivers a stellar performance and secures a successful end to 2025 for HCB.

On New Year's Day, the duel with league leaders Klagenfurt, who are unbeaten in five games, will follow.

First Bolzano, then Puster Valley

The Pioneers' position in the ICE Hockey League standings, second to last, also puts HC Falkensteiner Pustertal in the clear favorite role. The Wolves host Vorarlberg on New Year's Day at the Intercable Arena. Similar to their neighbors from Bolzano, on paper everything points to a victory for the South Tyroleans: Pustertal won both of their previous encounters this season against the western Austrians, a decisive 7-1 and a 4-2 victory in mid-October.

HCP aims to prepare well for the derby against Vorarlberg. © HC Pustertal / Iwan Foppa

Unlike HC Bern, the Puster Valley team enters this game with a 1-4 loss against the Graz99ers. After the game, Tommy Purdeller emphasized that his team needs to play with more discipline and work their way towards the playoffs step by step. The next important step is to be taken against Vorarlberg – to start 2026 successfully and further strengthen their position in the race for a good regular season finish.

Furthermore, the next big highlight in South Tyrolean ice hockey is already on the horizon on January 3rd. On Saturday, the third derby of the season between Bolzano and Pustertal takes place. It is therefore all the more important for both teams to gain the necessary confidence with some successes in the lead-up to the derby. For the Wolves and the Foxes, there is a lot at stake in the upcoming matches.

ICE Hockey League

Tuesday 30 December
Ferencvaros Budapest – Vienna Capitals (18.30 p.m.)
Villacher SV – Graz 99ers (19.15)
Black Wings Linz – Hydro Fehervar
HC Innsbruck – Red Bull Salzburg
Olimpija Ljubljana – Klagenfurter AC
HCB Südtirol – Pioneers Vorarlberg (19.45)

Thursday, January 1th
Red Bull Salzburg – Black Wings Linz (16.30 p.m.)
Villacher SV – HC Innsbruck (17.00)
Graz 99ers – Ferencvaros Budapest (17.30 p.m.)
Vienna Capitals – Olimpija Ljubljana
HC Pustertal – Pioneers Vorarlberg (18.00)
Klagenfurter AC – HCB Südtirol (19.15)

Saturday, January 3th
Black Wings Linz – Villacher SV (16:30)
HC Innsbruck – Klagenfurter AC (17.30)
Olimpija Ljubljana – Graz 99ers (18.00 p.m.)
Ferencvaros Budapest – Hydro Fehervar (18.30 p.m.)
Red Bull Salzburg – Vienna Capitals (19.15)
HC Pustertal – HCB Südtirol (19.45)

The table