AHL: The fifth season begins - VIDEO

Rittner Buam – HC Neumarkt But one of these dreams will definitely be shattered in the quarter-finals. Ritten, the winner of the basic round and the intermediate round, “picked” Neumarkt on Sunday, which was only able to qualify for the play-offs at the last minute in the qualification round. “Of course we go into the best-of-five series as favorites,” said Ritten captain Christian Borgatello, “but we shouldn’t underestimate Neumarkt under any circumstances. The Wild Goose played a fantastic second half and are in strong shape.”

In the regular round, Ritten had the upper hand in both games, but had to give up a point in Neumarkt when they were only able to win in the penalty shootout in the Würth Arena. “Ritten,” says HCN crack Matteo Peiti, “has the most complete team in the championship. There are outstanding players in all parts of the team. So we go into the game as clear outsiders, but that doesn't necessarily have to be a disadvantage. Our team can play freely and without any pressure or fear. With the win against Sterzing on Saturday, we not only qualified for the play-offs, but also gained a lot of courage and self-confidence. Nobody is unbeatable – we believe in that.”

HC Pustertal – SG Cortina In Brunico, however, the first play-off duel between Pustertal and Cortina will take place on Wednesday from 20.30 p.m. The Wolves are the favorites, after all they ended up in second place behind Ritten in the Master Round, while Cortina only made their place in the play-offs clear in the Qualification Round. “We can’t let ourselves be blinded by the numbers and statistics,” explains Armin Hofer from HC Pustertal, “Cortina has a strong team and can play very intense ice hockey. We have to give full throttle from the first game.”

But Cortina doesn't want to hide, as coach Drew Omicioli makes clear: “We want to start the series with a win, we have to stick to our system and not let ourselves be surprised by their quick counterattacks. Two strong teams are meeting each other, so I expect intense and exciting duels.”

Alps Hockey League – Quarterfinals (Best of Five) – Game 1 (Wednesday, March 1st) HDD Jesenice – EHC Lustenau (18.30 p.m.) Rittner Buam – HC Neumarkt (19.30 p.m.) HC Pustertal – SG Cortina (20.30 p.m.) Asiago Hockey – VEU Feldkirch (20.30 p.m.)

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AHL: The fifth season begins - VIDEO

Things are getting serious in the Sky Alps Hockey League: The cross-border championship enters the play-off phase on Wednesday. There are also three South Tyrolean teams there: Ritten, Pustertal and Neumarkt can all still dream of the first AHL title in history.

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