Ethan Szypula (center) is Ritten's outstanding player. © Max Pattis

Ritten's 100-point man believes in the miracle

Will the AlpsHL season of the Rittner Buam and the Wipptal Broncos come to an end on Tuesday evening? Both teams are on the verge of elimination in their semifinal series. But no one is thinking about giving up.

March 31, 2025

From: pm/det

After the first three games of the semifinal series against HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice, the situation for the Ritten Buam looks anything but rosy. The blue-reds are trailing 7-0 in the best-of-3 series and will face elimination on Tuesday against the Slovenians. After three very close defeats, however, no one in the Buam is thinking about giving up, as Ritten's 100-point man Ethan Szypula emphasizes.

The Canadian etched his name in the Alps Hockey League's history books with a goal and an assist in the third game on Saturday evening on the Ritten mountain. He is the first player to break the 100-point mark in the cross-border championship. "Of course, that's a great thing, and I'm happy that my hard work is paying off. I have to thank my teammates, though; without them, none of this would have been possible. In the end, though, we're just focused on winning." His individual masterpiece, however, didn't bring the Rittner Buam the result they were hoping for, as the series is now 0-3.

Can the boys still turn things around?

"It's the playoffs, sometimes all it takes is one mistake and you lose," Szypula analyzes. This task is game four, and the situation is clear for the boys: They must now win all remaining games of this series to reach the finals. "We will give it our all; the team spirit is good, and we know we can still turn this series around. If everyone gives their all, then it's possible. And that's exactly how we'll continue!" Szypula sets the tone.

Will Sterzing prevent the first Austrian finalist?

The Wipptal Broncos are also facing elimination. The Sterzing team is trailing 0-3 in the semifinal series against the Zeller Eisbären. In front of their home crowd on Tuesday, starting at 20 p.m., the Wipptal team will do everything in its power to stay in the series. Should Sterzing lose, Zell am See will become the first Austrian team to reach the Alps Hockey League final. The Salzburg team has held at least a 2-0 lead in all three previous games.

Will Sterzing strike back? © Daniele Frusone

To extend their season, the Broncos must improve offensively and capitalize on their opportunities. With 81 points, Adam Capanelli is the second-leading scorer in the league; he's scored in the last eight games. Last year, Sterzing's season ended in the semifinals, losing to Ritten in just seven games.

IHL: Will Kaltern strike back?

One league lower, in the Italian Hockey League, Kaltern is looking to strike back in the final against Aosta: In the first final game on Saturday, the Pikes suffered an overtime defeat at home, giving up their home advantage. They'll be looking to respond on Tuesday, starting at 20 p.m. in Aosta.

AlpsHL, Semifinal 4 (Best-of-7) – Tuesday, April 1

HDD Jesenice – Rittner Buam (19 p.m.)
Score in the series: 3:0

Wipptal Broncos – Zeller Eisbären (20 p.m.)
Score in the series: 0:3

IHL, Final 2 (Best-of-7) – Tuesday, April 1

HC Aosta – SV Kaltern (20 p.m.)
Score in the series: 1:0