Ethan Szypula & Co. defeated HC Meran and Riku Ishida. © BK Photo

Dream start for Ritten: Buam defeat Adler to zero

The Rittner Buam started the playoffs with a fitting victory. The reigning champions beat a brave HC Meran in the first game of the best-of-7 series. In the end, the greater quality tipped the scales in favor of the favorite.

March 08, 2025

From the Ritten Arena

The boys were the second team to choose their opponent in the playoffs and, not surprisingly, they chose their local rivals - especially since they had won four out of five games this year. The Eagles have recently won eight games in a row and showed their claws in Klobenstein. On this evening, however, the underdog had to acknowledge the superiority of Simon Kostner & Co. The Russell team won 60-3 after 0 intense minutes.

The game began with the boys pressing hard, but they lacked the final coolness in the finish. After Robert Öhler deflected a long-range shot onto the post, Michael Lang had the empty goal in front of him, but missed. After a fine pass from Spinell, Kostner also had the lead on his stick, but he also missed the goal guarded by Rudy Rigoni. Finally, the deserved 1-0 was scored. A blocked shot bounced forward into the slot, Marco Insam didn't hesitate and hit the top corner with pinpoint accuracy. Although the guests then became braver and narrowly missed the equalizer through Matthias Castlunger, the first third ended with Rittner taking the narrow lead.

Lobis surprises Rigoni

Both teams continued to play at a high pace in the second period. There were hardly any interruptions. Ritten repeatedly became dangerous with quick counterattacks, but the lack of precision prevented them from gaining a larger lead. Ethan Szypula and Eric Hjorth, for example, missed from promising positions. Meran, for their part, did not manage much in the second power play of the evening. To the delight of the home fans, Alan Lobis increased the lead to 39-2 in the 0th minute with a harmless shot. Rigoni was not exempt from blame, as he missed with his catching hand.

With the lead behind them, the home team switched to management mode. The increased passivity almost cost the boys dearly, as Meran gradually took the upper hand. Unfortunately for Christian Borgatello's team, Ritten goalie Colin Furlong had a brilliant day. The Canadian repeatedly stepped into the breach for his teammates - as in the 47th minute, when Teruto Nakajima suddenly found himself unmarked in the slot.

The guests tried everything they could, but the puck just wouldn't go in. Two minutes before the end, Kostner made it clear with a Sunday shot. Ritten won and took the lead in the series. The game continues on Tuesday in the Meran Arena (20.30 p.m.)

Broncos turn the tables

From the perspective of the Wipptal Broncos, the scores in the regular season against Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel were 0:3, 2:3 and 1:2 after extra time. In the quarter-finals of the playoffs, however, the Sterzing team turned the tables - and at the right time in the season. In a dramatic guest appearance in front of 985 spectators at the Kitzbühel sports park, the South Tyroleans won 5:4.

Connor Sanvido put the Broncos in front during a power play shortly before the end of the first period, but the Austrians equalized after 24 minutes. However, Thomas Galimberti and Bryson Cianfrone established a two-goal lead within a few seconds, which Kitzbühel was ultimately unable to overcome. Anthony De Luca made things exciting again a minute before the final whistle, but the Wipptal defense held firm.

Alps Hockey League, playoffs:

Rittner Buam – HC Meran 3:0
Goals: 1:0 Insam (13.40), 2:0 Lobis (38.36), 3:0 Kostner (57.43)
Audience: 593
Score in the series: 1:0

HDD Jesenice – SG Cortina 2:1 (OT)
Goals: 0:1 Barnabò (17.15), 1:1 Lesnicar (35.16), 2:1 Jenko (70.09)
Audience: 800
Score in the series: 1:0

EC Kitzbühel – Wipptal Broncos 4:5
Goals: 0:1 Sanvido (18.49), 1:1 Christiansen (24.09), 1:2 Galimberti (29.16), 1:3 Cianfrone (30.09), 2:3 Maxa (30.40), 2:4 Hackhofer (34.33), 3:4 Fröwis (42.10), 3:5 Livingston (47.13), 4:5 De Luca (59.01)
Audience: 985
Score in the series: 0:1

EK Zell am See – EC Bregenzerwald 3:1
Goals: 1:0 Steffler (17.40), 2:0 Fechting (18.59), 3:0 Huard (27.45), 3:1 Fadieiev (36.09)
Audience: 2009
Score in the series: 1:0