Erik Hofer (far back) shone as a two-goal scorer for the Wipptal Broncos. © Oskar Brunner

The teenagers enchant Sterzing: "Every single one counts"

The Wipptal Broncos achieved a heroic victory in the Alps Hockey League playoffs on Thursday. The young guns were the stars of the show.

March 13, 2026

From: det

A curious phenomenon occurred in the second quarter-final between the Wipptal Broncos and Zell am See. Sterzing's 5-2 triumph It wasn't the imported players who made the difference, but the Wipptal teenagers. All five goals were scored by the young guns.

19-year-old Erik Hofer shone with two goals, while Jonas Kerschbaumer (21), Luciano Zandegiacomo (21), and Fabian Gschliesser (22) each scored once. With the exception of Zandegiacomo, all of these young men played – at least briefly – in the Sterzing youth system. This makes the playoff victory over Zell am See all the sweeter: the best-of-seven series is now tied 1-1.

Here Erik Hofer (2nd from left) celebrates his goal.

“That was my first brace in the Alps Hockey League, and it feels really good,” said a delighted Erik Hofer the day after his triumph. “In the playoffs, every single player on the team counts, whether you’re on the first or fourth line. I think we youngsters are even more motivated to show what we’re capable of,” said the 19-year-old, who played for the Falcons Brixen last season and is now playing his first full season with the Broncos.

"Everything happens much faster in the Alps." Erik Hofer

“The big difference is that things move much faster in the Alps, the passes are more precise, and you generally have less time to think. I definitely felt that at the beginning, but I quickly got into the swing of things,” said Hofer, who is now looking ahead to the third quarterfinal on Saturday. The Broncos will be back in Zell am See and aim to wrest the home advantage from the Master Round winners.

Will Merano follow suit?

HC Merano is also riding a wave of success, having sparked a new ice hockey euphoria in Merano and currently leading the quarterfinal series against the highly regarded Asiago 2-0. Game 3 will be played away on Saturday. HC Gröden will play their second quarterfinal game in Selva di Val Gardena on Friday evening and will not be back in action until Sunday.

Alps Hockey League – Quarterfinal 3

Saturday, 19.30 p.m

Zeller Eisbären – Wipptal Broncos
Standing in the best-of-7 series: 1:1

KHL Sisak – Cortina Hafro
Series: 1:1

Asiago Hockey – HC Meran (20 p.m.)
Series: 0:2

Sunday, 16.30 a.m

Red Bull Salzburg – HC Gröden
Series: 1:0*

* Game 2 takes place on Friday evening in Wolkenstein