HCG celebrated a resounding victory. © Johannes Franke Unterweidach 35

Goal fest in Val Gardena: Furie secure top position

HC Gherdëina remains the team to beat in the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL) Qualification Round B. On Tuesday, Marcel Skokan's team celebrated their fifth victory in five games, securing first place ahead of schedule.

February 24, 2026

From: sn

The Ladin team started the intermediate round with just one bonus point. Since the end of the preliminary round, however, Simon Pitschieler and his teammates have looked transformed: they won all five matches – and with an impressive goal difference of 19:5 (!). A major factor in this resurgence is their new goalkeeper, Claes Endre, whose save percentage stood at 94,4 percent before the game. This percentage improved even further on Tuesday, as Gröden celebrated a 7:1 victory.

1.042 fans witnessed a perfect start from the home side, who took the lead after seven minutes through Dmitri Vozovik. Jesenice goalkeeper Zan Us's long-range shot was obstructed by Martin Castlunger. Two minutes later, Sebastiano Soracreppa, set up by Hannes Kasslatter, made it 2-0. The Slovenians then had several opportunities to pull one back, but Endre repeatedly thwarted their efforts.

Marcel Skokan witnessed an excellent performance from his players. © Johannes Franke

After successfully surviving a power play at the start of the second period, the Furies struck on the man advantage: Simon Pitschieler elegantly lifted the puck into the top corner from close range. And that wasn't all, as the home team subsequently extended their lead to 6-0: First, Sacha Guimond finished off a counterattack with a spectacular backhand shot, then Vlastimil Dostalek converted a Moncada pass, before Luca Biondi completed the rout with a successful breakaway. Us was then replaced by Matija Ulcar.

Fans witnessed a special moment at the start of the third period: Kasslatter skated in alone on Ulcar but altruistically passed to 17-year-old Diego Demetz, who scored his first AlpsHL goal in his 14th game of the season. Following this, Carmine Buono and his teammates focused on keeping their net clean. However, they were unsuccessful, as Grega Koblar scored with nine seconds remaining. In their final game on Thursday against the Rittner Buam, who have already secured second place, it's now only about pride.

Alps Hockey League:

Qualification Round B

HC Gherdëina – HDD Jesenice 7:1
Goals: 1:0 Vozovik (7.14), 2:0 Soracreppa (9.39), 3:0 Pitschieler (22.11), 4:0 Guimond (28.24), 5:0 Dostalek (34.01), 6:0 Biondi (35.46), 7:0 Demetz (43.30), 7:1 Koblar (59.51)
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