Christian Borgatello celebrated a successful Merano debut. © BK Photo

Victory at the leader: Borgatello's crazy Merano debut

After the international break, the Alps Hockey League returned on Tuesday – and with a bang. HC Meran brought down the league leaders.

17 December 2024

From: det

Es sind stürmische Zeiten, die der HC Meran erlebt. Vor sechs Tagen wurde bekannt, dass die Passerstädter den Vertrag mit Trainer Jarrod Skalde aufgelöst haben. Warum? Die Doppelbelastung als Meran-Coach und Japans Nationaltrainer wurde dem ehemaligen NHL-Spieler zu viel. Für ihn springt Vereinslegende Christian Borgatello in die Bresche. Und „Skizzo“ sorgte gleich für die große Show: Meran gewann am Dienstag sensationell auswärts bei Tabellenführer Zell am See mit 4:2.

Borgatello's story is a special one. The 42-year-old is one of the greatest players that domestic ice hockey has ever produced. In May of this year, his glorious career came to an end - and Borgatello immediately moved behind the bench. He became assistant coach in Merano, but even then he had a taste of being a head coach. Because coach Jarrod Skalde was suspended at the start of the season, he was represented by "Skizzo". After Skalde's contract was terminated, Borgatello is now officially promoted to head coach, albeit only temporarily. But with the triumph over Zell am See, the Merano native has made a strong case for himself.

Patrick Tomasini celebrated a sensational victory with Meran. © BK Photo

Merano got off to a dream start against the Eisbären. In front of more than 2.000 spectators, Skate Skalde (7th, he is the son of former coach Jarrod) and Massimo Pietroniro (12th) secured a 2-0 lead in the first period. Because Jakob Fuchs made it 21-3 on the power play just 0 seconds after the restart, the Merano sensation was within reach. The league leader did manage to get a 3-2 lead with a double strike shortly before the end, but Massimo Pietroniro made the Merano "three-pointer" perfect on the power play and with his second goal of the day. Goalie Rudy Rigoni impressed with a save percentage of 94,4 percent. With this victory, Merano also took a big step forward in the table and moved into the top 10.

Defeats for Val Gardena and Bassa Atesina

Meanwhile, there was nothing to be gained Val Gardena and the Unterland Cavaliers. The Ladinians suffered a 632:3 defeat at Bregenzerwald in front of 7 spectators. Even last-minute signing Emil Antero Oksanen could not prevent the defeat. For league bottom team Val Gardena, it was the ninth defeat in the last eleven games - and there is no end in sight to the crisis.

Unterland (in blue) suffered a defeat at home. © Vanna Antonello

Meanwhile, the Unterland Cavaliers had to admit defeat to third-placed Jesenice with a score of 2:5. After 22 minutes, the Cavaliers were already 231:0 behind in front of their home crowd and 3 fans - a deficit that cannot be made up against these Slovenians.

Alps Hockey League, Tuesday games

EK Zeller Eisbären – HC Meran 2:4
Goals: 0:1 Skalde (6.18), 0:2 M. Pietroniro (11.18), 0:3 Fuchs (20.21), 1:3 Putnik (54.34), 2:3 Artner (55.14), 2:4 M. Pietroniro (58.35)
Audience: 2.109

EC Bregenzerwald – HC Gherdeina 7:3
Goals: 1:0 Pöschmann (6.48), 2:0 Schlögl (11.49), 3:0 Fadieiev (20.18), 4:0 Fadieiev (23.09), 4:1 Laitinen (34.56), 5:1 Lebeda (40.25), 5:2 Cristellon (48.37), 6:2 Wempe (51.07), 6:3 Oksanen (54.22), 7:3 Jansson (59.01)
Audience: 632

Unterland Cavaliers – Jesenice 2:5
Goals: 0:1 Slivnik (10.57), 0:2 Jenko (15.00), 0:3 Slivnik (21.30), 1:3 Remolato (29.14), 1:4 Sillanpaa (52.05), 2:4 Murnieks (54.16), 2:5 Svetina (58.33)
Audience: 231

Cortina Hafro – KHL Sisak 4:3
Goals: 1:0 Toffoli (14.07), 1:1 Mandusic (16.39), 1:2 Briere (29.36), 2:2 Felicetti (34.45), 3:2 De Luca (42.03), 4:2 Barnabo (46.15) , 4:3 Briere (51.11)
Audience: 411