Mads Larsen's team could secure a place in the semifinals as early as Tuesday. © Max Pattis

Semifinals within reach: Ritten wants to seal the deal

This week, the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL) will decide which two teams will advance to the semifinals. Along with the already qualified Wipptal Broncos and Zeller Eisbären, the Rittner Buam and Jesenice have the best chances.

March 17, 2025

From: none

Although HC Meran found a brilliant response to their first two losses in the third game of the series against the Rittner Buam, the Eagles were unable to build on their success in their fourth game last Saturday. They lost 2-5 in front of their home fans, with HCM already trailing hopelessly 40-0 after 5 minutes. Now the Buam lead 3-1 and need only one more win to secure a spot in the semifinals. That could happen as early as Tuesday.

Then Kostner & Co. will meet the Eagles in the Ritten Arena (20 p.m.). "Our goal is to be consistent in front of the goal and repeat Saturday's strong performance," said the Rittner Buam's sporting director, Alexander Eisath, in response to a question from SportNews.

Merano doesn't give up

On the other hand, the spa town team will give their all to extend the series. However, this will require a significant improvement in performance. The boys already demonstrated last season that it's possible to turn a 1-3 series deficit around, when they celebrated three consecutive wins against the Wipptal Broncos and advanced to the final.

Alan Lobis & Co. have a clear advantage. © Max Pattis

Speaking of Wipptal: The Wildpferde qualified for the semifinals on Saturday after beating Kitzbühel 4-0. Zell am See followed suit 24 hours later, also decisively defeating EC Bregenzerwald. In addition to the South Tyrolean clash between Ritten and Merano, the reigning Italian champions from Cortina and Jesenice are also battling for a ticket to the semifinals. The Slovenians, who also lead 3-1, have the clear advantage.

Kaltern holds all the trump cards

Things couldn't be going better for SV Kaltern at the moment. The Pike have won all their playoff matches so far and are already leading Varese 1-0 in the semifinals of the Italian Hockey League. At home, the Oltradige team convincingly beat the "Mastini" 3-0 and could secure a place in the final with further wins on Tuesday and Thursday. In the second semifinal, Aosta will face Feltre, with the team from the Aosta region holding a 1-0 lead.

AlpsHL, the program of the week:

Tuesday:
Jesenice - Cortina (19 p.m.)
Score in the series: 3:1

ride - Merano (20 p.m.)
Score in the series: 3:1

if necessary

Thursday:
Cortina - Jesenice
Merano - ride

Saturday:
Jesenice - Cortina
ride - Merano

IHL, the program of the week:

Tuesday:
Feltre - Aosta (20.30:XNUMX p.m.)
Score in the series: 0:1

Varese - Kaltern (20.30 p.m.)
Score in the series: 0:1

Thursday:
Aosta - Feltre (20 p.m.)
Kaltern - Varese

if necessary

Saturday:
Feltre-Aosta
Varese - Kaltern