h AlpsHL

Grandfather Lucio Brugnoli hands over the anniversary jersey to his grandson Joel. © Studio Kostner

Brugnoli's picturesque anniversary and Meran's blackout

Joy and sorrow among South Tyrol's clubs in the Alps Hockey League: While HC Gherdëina scored big points in front of a full house, HC Meran suffered a bitter defeat. The Unterland Cavaliers and the Rittner Buam were also successful on Thursday evening.

Was a preliminary decision made in Qualification Round A? With three games remaining, HC Gherdëina has taken the lead in the table thanks to a 5-1 win against Jesenice. The evening was special for Joel Brugnoli, who was honored before the game for his 600th game in the HCG uniform. Just a few weeks ago, the defender replaced Benjamin Kostner at the top of the rankings.


The Furies knew the importance of the game and set a high pace in front of 1300 fans. At first, however, Jesenice had the better chances. Goalie Paul Hofer repeatedly saved at the last second before Leo Messner opened the scoring on the other side. The 21-year-old took the shot, the shot bounced off the plexiglass in front of the goal, where he was there with a follow-up shot. A single action by Matteo Luisetti gave the team a 2-0 lead in the second period, but it didn't last long. Ex-HCG crack Maks Selan, of all people, shortened the time.


However, the HCG kept a cool head and decided the game in the third period through Simon Pitschieler. First the captain used a precise pass from Mico Luoto, then he punished goalie Zan Us for carelessness. A little later, Luisetti made everything clear after a rebound in the power play.

Merano suffers a setback

The mood is completely different at HC Meran, who suffered a 2-7 defeat at home against Steel Wings Linz. The Eagles took the lead in the 9th minute. McNally saw the onrushing Christian Borgatello, who scored to make it 1-0. Linz took advantage of the first power play and equalized shortly before the first break. What's more: there were still nine seconds left until the first siren sounded before Linz even managed to take the lead. Mikael Saha was successful both times.

Nick Rein & Co. had a difficult time. © BK Photo


Linz now dictated the game: two lapses of attention on the part of the Eagles led to the guests winning 4-1 within a short space of time. After conceding the fifth goal, in which Meran's goalie Andrei Makarov looked anything but good, Matteo Calvi replaced the Russian. Calder Anderson reduced the score to 2:5, but Linz restored their 4-goal lead with the advantage. In the final third the miracle no longer worked.

Cavaliers cheer

Meanwhile, the Unterland Cavaliers have taken a big step towards the pre-playoffs. In a crazy game, Michael Sullmann & Co. put EHC Lustenau in their place with 5:4. The home team initially made up a 1-2 deficit, then gave up a 4-2 lead before double goalscorer Luka Nyman scored the winning goal five minutes before the end. Michael Sullmann, Alex Egger and Nicolò Remolato scored the other three goals.

Emiliano Valentini & Co. were extremely secure at the back. © Max Pattis


The Rittner Buam consolidated their top position in the Master Round on Thursday. One man came into focus against the Red Bull Juniors: Erik Hjorth. The Swede immediately hit the mark on his debut. After Paul Vinzens' equalizer, Max Coatta scored the decisive 2-1 shortly after the start of the final period.

Alps Hockey League:

Master round

Rittner Buam – Red Bull Juniors 2:1
Goals: 1:0 Hjorth (34.56), 1:1 Vinzens (38.14), 2:1 Coatta (41.17)
Audience: 487

SG Cortina – EK Zell am See 5:0
Goals: 1:0 Pompanin (12.18), 2:0 Lacedelli (18.22), 3:0 Pompanin (26.54), 4:0 Luca Zanatta (44.15), 5:0 Doherty (52.51)
Audience: 610

SPGUVTVP
1. Rittner Buam650123:1319
2. SG Cortina640222:1413
3. Salzburg II730416:1610
4. Wipptal Broncos730420:2210
5. Zell am See720513:2510
6. Bregenzerwald730419:238

Qualification Round A

HC Meran – Steel Wings Linz 2:7
Goals: 1:0 Borgatello (8.54), 1:1 Saha (18.06), 1:2 Saha (19.51), 1:3 Theirich (26.37), 1:4 Sticha (27.07), 1:5 Saha (28.24), 2:5 Anderson (34.29), 2:6 Saha (39.09), 2:7 Saha (55.28)
Audience: 800

HC Val Gardena – HDD Jesenice 5:1
Goals: 1:0 Messner (15.53), 2:0 Luisetti (27.01), 2:1 Selan (28.57), 3:1 Pitschieler (44.27), 4:1 Pitschieler (46.42), 5:1 Luisetti (53.07)
Audience: 1284

SPGUVTVP
1. HC Gherdëina540125:1614
2. Jesenice520316:1713
3. HC Meran630321:2612
4. HK Celje630322:218
5. Linz II620418:226

Qualification Round B

Unterland Cavaliers – EHC Lustenau 5:4
Goals: 1:0 Sullmann (4.12), 1:1 Shikera (12.57), 1:2 König (19.58), 2:2 Nyman (23.41), 3:2 Remolato (26.15), 4:2 Egger (32.49), 4:3 Alasaari (48.28), 4:4 Moosbrugger (52.57), 5:4 Nyman (55.03)
Audience: 427

KAC Future Team – EC Kitzbühel 1:6
Goals: 0:1 Rotter (00.24), 0:2 Podlipnik (12.16), 0:3 Niemelä (15.00), 0:4 Niemelä (18.29), 1:4 Klassek (30.10), 1:5 Niemelä (35.49), 1:6 Tröthan (53.00)
Audience: 337

SPGUVTVP
1. Kitzbuhel640227:1916
2. Underland Cavaliers630321:2414
3. Lustenau530221:1910
4. Klagenfurt II620416:227
5. HC Fassa520323:245


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