The Unterland Cavaliers (in white) played well but were defeated by Jesenice. © MATIAS DEMSAR

The people from the Unterland region have a lot of heart, but little aim.

The Alps Hockey League resumed on Thursday. The Unterland Cavaliers suffered a narrow defeat in their relegation battle, while HC Meran also failed to secure any points.

08 January 2026

From: det

It's simply not the season for the Unterland Cavaliers! On Thursday, the knights from southern South Tyrol suffered a 2-3 away defeat in their relegation battle against Jesenice. Once again, the Unterland team played well, once again they created some excellent scoring opportunities, and once again they left the ice as losers. As the bottom team in the standings, the Cavaliers are now 16 points behind the second-to-last place.

In front of just over 200 fans, the Unterland team got off to a poor start, falling behind 0-2 after just three minutes. After only 32 seconds, Zajc's shot was perfectly deflected by David Baloh to give Jesenice a 1-0 lead. Immediately afterward, last year's finalists capitalized on a perfectly executed counter-attack, with Jasa Jenko scoring to make it 2-0. In the second period, Jaka Sturm made his Unterland opponent, Egor Surkov, look foolish, beating goalie Laurin Foppa with a shot through his legs (30th minute).

A comeback without a happy ending

Even then, the scoreline in no way reflected the action on the ice, as the Unterland team had a multitude of chances. But that evening it became clear once again why the Cavaliers have the weakest offense in the entire league.

A guessing game among the Underland Cavaliers. © MATIAS DEMSAR

It wasn't until after falling behind 0-3 that they finally found the net: Johan Eriksson hammered the puck into the top corner (34th minute), and when Erik Potsinok scored to make it 2-3 ten minutes before the end after a rebound (50th minute), the Unterland team sensed they could salvage a point. However, despite HCU firing a total of 34 shots on goal (compared to Jesenice's 24), they ultimately came away empty-handed.

HC Meran (in black) was defeated by Sisak. © BK Photo

Jesenice's victory lifted them out of second-to-last place in the standings, a position now occupied by HC Meran. The Meran team suffered a 1-3 home defeat on Thursday against second-placed KHL Sisak. Playing before 274 spectators, the Meran players put up a valiant fight, but ultimately their opponents proved too strong. The Croatians were already leading 2-0 after ten minutes and 3-1 after half an hour. Sisak then comfortably saw out the remainder of the game.

Alps Hockey League, the games on Thursday

HDD Jesenice – Unterland Cavaliers 3:2
Goals: 1:0 Baloh (0.32), 2:0 Jenko (3.08), 3:0 Sturm (29.28), 3:1 Eriksson (33.59), 3:2 Erik Potsinok (49.34)
Audience: 220

HC Meran – KHL Sisak 1:3
Goals: 0:1 Dumcius (5.46), 0:2 Canic (10.49), 1:2 Trivellato (15.01), 1:3 Dumcius (29.34)
Audience: 274

Zell am See Polar Bears – Kitzbühel Eagles 3:2
Goals: 0:1 Fröwis (24.39), 1:1 Prodinger (28.06), 2:1 Huard (32.37), 2:2 Engelhart (41.42), 3:2 Lahoda (56.01)
Audience: 2.796