This is how Patrick Tomasini hit the mark. © Vanna Antonello

That's it: Unterland has to go on vacation.

After a disastrous regular season, the Unterland Cavaliers had hoped to reach the pre-playoffs in the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL). However, since Thursday evening, it's official: the season is over for Gabriel Galassiti and his teammates.

February 26, 2026

From: sn

Unterland had their fate in their own hands on the final matchday, needing to defeat HC Meran. However, they failed – the Eagles won 6-3, securing first place in Qualification Round A and home-ice advantage for the pre-playoffs. There they will face EC Bregenzerwald.

As early as the sixth minute, Reid Stefanson won the puck in his own defensive zone, launched a counterattack, and fed the onrushing Rasmus Nousiainen, who beat goaltender Tizian Giovanelli. Just 19 seconds later, Unterland struck back. After a beautiful passing sequence involving Gabriel Galassiti and Thomas Galimberti, Moritz Kaufmann suddenly found himself alone in front of Andreas Bernard and gave him no chance. Ironically, while Stefanson was serving a penalty, HCM took the lead again. Daniel Gellon turned on the afterburners on the left wing, spotted the open Patrick Tomasini, who scored shorthanded.

Merano too strong

The second period also began perfectly for the traveling Merano fans. After a scramble in front of Giovanelli's goal, Filip Cruseman reacted quickest and poked the puck across the line. Then the post rattled at both ends – first by Moritz Kaufmann and then by Brayden Sherbinin. But the Cavaliers refused to give up and pulled one back through Viktor Eriksson: Suddenly, the Swede was alone in front of Bernard and slid the puck through the pads to make it 2-3.

At the start of the final period, Stefanson was once again the center of attention: He calmly skated into the opposing defensive zone, fired a shot from the right face-off circle, and buried the puck in the far corner. But the home team narrowed the gap again – this time on the power play: Bernard initially denied Eriksson, but was powerless against Marek Potsinok's rebound. David Trivellato ultimately sealed the victory, surprising Giovanelli from behind the net and nudging the puck past the goalie's leg pad. Nousiainen then added the final touch, scoring into the empty net.

Ritten wins in Val Gardena

A completely meaningless game took place in Wolkenstein. HC Gherdëina had already secured their top spot in Qualification Round B, while the Ritten Buam could no longer be overtaken in second place. Nevertheless, the nearly 1.000 fans witnessed a hard-fought match, which Ritten won 3-1. The Furie will now face EC Kitzbühel, while the Buam will play Cortina.

Brett Welychka and Samuel Moroder in a duel. © Matthäus Kostner

After Vlastimil Dostalek opened the scoring with a fine individual effort, Ritten struck through Jacob Crespi. HCG goalie Matthias Rindone had no chance against Crespi's power-play one-timer. Shortly before the end of the second period, Manuel Öhler made it 2-1 with a rebound, before Leonardo Felicetti sealed the 3-1 victory with a one-timer in the final period.

Wipptal loses

Around 300 fans witnessed a one-sided match in Sterzing. EK Zell am See scored four goals on special teams in their 9-2 victory – three on the power play and one while shorthanded.

Wipptal goalkeeper Fabian Klammer had a tough time. © Oskar Brunner

Tim Coffman was the star of the show, scoring four goals. Philipp Putnik and Nick Huard each scored twice, and Paul Schmid also got on the scoresheet. Davide Conci and Connor Sanvido were responsible for the Wild Horses' two power-play goals.

Alps Hockey League:

The pre-playoff pairings:
HC Meran – EC Bregenzerwald
Rittner Buam – SG Cortina
HC Gherdëina – EC Kitzbuhel

Master round

Wipptal Broncos – EK Zell am See 2:9
Goals: 0:1 Putnik (00.41), 0:2 Coffman (10.11), 1:2 Conci (12.41), 1:3 Coffman (23.52), 1:4 Coffman (25.41), 1:5 Huard (31.37), 1:6 Schmid (39.38), 1:7 Coffman (41.18), 1:8 Putnik (48.12), 2:8 Sanvido (50.43), 2:9 Huard (52.57)
Audience: 307


Qualification Round A

Unterland Cavaliers – HC Meran 3:6
Goals: 0:1 Nousiainen (6.22), 1:1 Kaufmann (6.41), 1:2 Tomasini (8.09), 1:3 Cruseman (21.38), 2:3 Eriksson (37.04), 2:4 Stefanson (41.39), 3:4 Marek Potsinok (42.16), 3:5 Trivellato (43.35), 3:6 Nousiainen (56.50)
Audience: 567

SG Cortina – EC Kitzbühel 2:1
Goals: 1:0 Stöffling (29.18), 1:1 Loshing (32.16), 2:1 Tolomelli (42.29)
Audience: 210


Qualification Round B

HC Gherdëina – Rittner Buam 1:3
Goals: 1:0 Dostalek (24.56), 1:1 Crespi (36.51), 1:2 Manuel Öhler (39.36), 1:3 Felicetti (47.08)
Audience: 962