Pascal Brunner (front) celebrated with HC Meran. © BK Photo

Ice hockey euphoria has broken out in Merano.

HC Meran struck again in the Alps Hockey League playoff quarterfinals. The Eagles defeated HC Asiago in their own arena, sparking renewed euphoria in Merano. Meanwhile, the Wipptal Broncos also caused a sensation.

March 12, 2026

From the MeranArena

It's quite strange: about a month ago, it became clear that Merano had missed the registration deadline for the next AlpsHL season. Many wondered what would happen to Merano ice hockey. But on the ice, the Eagles are now a completely different team and are dreaming of reaching the semifinals in the cross-border league for the first time! On Thursday, HCM celebrated a clear 4-1 victory at home against Asiago and takes a 2-0 lead in the series.

Against Asiago, of all teams, who boast the best offense in the entire league, Merano played true playoff hockey. Christian Borgatello's squad barely allowed Ryan Valentini and his teammates any room to maneuver in game two, giving them no breathing room. When Asiago did manage to break through, the outstanding Andy Bernard in Merano's net was there to make the save.

It took half an hour, however, before the vastly superior Merano team finally managed to beat their former goalkeeper, Rudy Rigoni. The Asiago netminder, like Bernard, made several strong saves before Filip Cruseman finally beat him at the far post. Just moments before, a Stefanson attempt had been blocked. Pascal Brunner scored the crucial 2-0 goal at the start of the final period – again after a Stefanson assist. The on-loan Bolzano player was perfectly positioned in the middle.

Meran's top scorer, Daniel Gellon, made it 3-0 just a few minutes later. The goal to make it 3-1 five minutes before the end was merely cosmetic, as the outstanding Reid Stefanson sealed the victory with an empty-net goal. Incidentally, just over 1.000 spectators flocked to the MeranArena for the first home playoff game, creating a great atmosphere for this high-caliber match. Several players from Serie D club FC Obermais were also spotted in attendance.

Sterzing also surprises

The Wipptal Broncos caused an even bigger surprise on Thursday evening. Spectators in Sterzing had to wait around 20 minutes for the game to start due to a car accident. In the end, however, they were rewarded, as their Broncos defeated the Zell am See Ice Bears 5-2, thus striking back in the best-of-seven series.

The Wipptal Broncos celebrated a surprise victory. © Oscar Brunner

Last year, Wipptal suffered a sweep against Zell am See in the semifinals. Due to their enormous budget, the Salzburg team is considered the number one title favorite in the Alps Hockey League again this year. But on Thursday, Paul Eisendle and his teammates pulled off a surprise victory, tying the series at 1-1 – what a statement from the Wild Horses!

AlpsHL: The Playoff Quarterfinals

Wipptal Broncos – EK Zell am See 5:2
1:0 Hofer (02.38), 1:1 Huard (06.09), 2:1 Zandegiacomo (22.25), 3:1 Rämö (..), 3:2 Coffman (22.57), 4:2 Hofer (30.50), 5:2 Gschliesser (59.51)
Audience: 365
Standing in the best-of-7 series: 1:1


HC Meran – Asiago Hockey 4:1
1:0 Cruseman (30.19), 2:0 Brunner (41.20), 3:0 Gellon (45.50), 3:1 Rigoni (55.21), 4:1 Stefanson (57.55)
Audience: 1.033
Best of 7 series: 2:0


SG Cortina – KHL Sisak 5:2
1:0 Talamini (21.09), 1:1 Lesnicar (31.19), 2:1 Massimo Pietroniro (41.30), 3:1 Fortunato (45.05), 3:2 Juric (46.39), 4:2 Chris Pietroniro (47.09), 5:2 Sanna (58.41)
Audience: 200
Best of 7 series: 1:1


HC Gherdëina – RB Juniors (Friday, 20.30 p.m.)
Best of 7 series: 0:1