The Eagles and their fans are celebrating: The quarter-final victory against Asiago is complete. © BK Photo

Semi-finals! This HC Meran doesn't care about anything anymore.

A Merano team reaching the Alps Hockey League semi-finals – that's unprecedented. Until today. The traditional club from the spa town knocked Italian champions Asiago out of the competition on Saturday evening in front of more than 1.500 enthusiastic spectators. Now the Eagles are dreaming of something truly great.

March 21, 2026

From the MeranArena

Ironically, the very club that is (still) not registered for the upcoming Alps Hockey League season has become the first and so far only South Tyrolean club to reach the penultimate playoff round. HC Meran defeated Asiago 6-2 in their home arena, thus winning the quarterfinal series 4-2.

Dropouts? Underdogs? Written off? HC Meran couldn't care less. They've made a completely unexpected run to the Alps Hockey League semifinals. And this is the first time in their five years in the league. It's surprising because HCM stumbled through the entire regular season, finishing in tenth place.

Suddenly everything in Merano is different

But what arrived in Merano with the start of Carnival season can only be described as sensational. Reinforced by Pascal Brunner and Enrico Larcher from Bolzano, as well as Alex Curti and Alex Egger from the lower Adige Valley, the Eagles have taken to unexpected heights. Suddenly, they stand like a wall in front of the strong goalkeeper Andy Bernard, execute textbook attacks, and force their opponents to their knees with a hard-hitting style of play.

This was also the case on Saturday, when the Eagles practically tore their prey apart in the air. In front of national coach Jukka Jalonen, they pressed Asiago deep into their own net from the start, creating chance after chance. The result: an early 3-0 lead. Pascal Brunner somehow managed to poke the puck across the line (10th minute), Patrick Tomasini deflected a shot into the net (15th minute), and Jakob Fuchs scored from the slot (18th minute).

And Asiago? The Italian champions and their offensive stars offered little. A chance by top scorer Ryan Valentini was brilliantly thwarted by HCM goalie Andy Bernard, and finally – shortly before the end of the period – the first goal was scored by Nick Porco (20th minute).

Things got exciting when Lucas Chiodo narrowed the gap to 3-2 midway through the game. But just when Meran seemed to be reeling, the next twist in this entertaining match occurred. Suddenly, the spa town team was back on the offensive – and how! Meran's most in-form player, Reid Stefanson, took command. First, he set up Filip Cruseman, who made it 4-2 (35th minute), then he provided the assist for Brayden Sherbinin's goal to make it 5-2 (37th minute). After that, it was all down to the icing on the cake, culminating in Daniel Gellon's power-play goal to make it 6-2. Then, all hell broke loose in the MeranArena.

Is Val Gardena following suit?

South Tyrol's second remaining playoff participant, HC Gröden, could join HCM on Saturday. The Ladin team needs just one more win to advance. If they win at home against the Red Bull Juniors on Sunday (8:30 p.m.), they will play Zell am See in the penultimate round, while Meran will face Sisak. However, should Gröden be eliminated, HCM will face defending champions Zell am See.

The Alps Hockey League quarterfinals:

HC Meran – Asiago Hockey 6:2
Goals: 1:0 Pascal Brunner (9.57), 2:0 Patrick Tomasini (14.08), 3:0 Jakob Fuchs (17.01), 3:1 Nick Porco (19.13), 3:2 Lucas Chiodo (29.07), 4:2 Filip Cruseman (34.51), 5:2 Brayden Sherbinin (36.56), 6:2 Daniel Gellon (52.13)
Audience: 1.523
Best-of-7 series: 4:2 – Merano in the semi-finals

HC Gherdëina – Salzburg II
Best of 7 series: 3:2
Next match date: Sunday, 8:30 pm

EK Zell am See – Wipptal Broncos
Best-of-7 series: 4:1 – Zell am See in the semi-finals

KHL Sisak – SG Cortina
Best-of-7 series: 4:1 – Sisak in the semi-finals