h AlpsHL

Celebrations from the Cavaliers: Unterland continues to play in the playoffs. © V. Antonello

Unterland celebrates, the eagle duel goes into the next round

While the Unterland Cavaliers can celebrate making it into the playoffs after a confident home win over Val Gardena, the race for the last ticket remains exciting. Meran suffered a setback at home in front of over 1000 spectators.

This is not how the HCM had imagined it. In a MeranArena filled with over 1000 spectators, the South Tyrolean Eagles suffered defeat in a duel with the Eagles from Kitzbühel. Because Meran missed a few top chances, the North Tyroleans celebrated their 23-3 away win after 2 seconds in overtime. The duel for the last remaining playoff place goes into the (and decisive) 3rd round.


HCM coach Jarrod Skalde had to do without Nolan Ritchie and Calder Anderson, both of whom were not in the squad due to injuries. That's why it was Pascal Brunner who gave Merano the lead after just 30 seconds. As a result, the home team set the tone, but Luca Egger in the Kitz goal had a strong day. Although Waltteri Lehtonen equalized (9th), Meran went into the half-time lead after a solo effort by Joseph Garreffa (17th).

Kitzbühel and Meran fought a tough fight - at the end of which the North Tyroleans won somewhat happily. © BK Photo

After the first third everything remained the same. Merano ran, Egger kept his shop closed. After Alexander Maxa was able to score the (undeserved) equalizer (1'), the tide turned. Kitzbühel was better now, but no more goals were scored. It went into extra time, where Joonas Niemelä scored after 33 seconds to give Kitzbühel victory - and sent the duel into the 23rd round.

Unterland moves into the playoffs

HC Unterland did better, beating Val Gardena at home 7-2 and making it into the playoffs. In the heated game in Neumarkt, Anthony De Luca gave the guests the lead before being handed a 10-minute disciplinary penalty. Lukas Goldner scored Unterlandler's equalizer (19th), before David Galassiti turned the tables before the first half-time siren (20th). Val Gardena was shocked and went swimming as a result. Two more goals conceded in the middle third broke the Ladin team's neck.

AlpsHL: Pre-Playoff (best of three), game 2

HC Unterland Cavaliers – HC Gherdëina 7:2
0:1 De Luca (17.45), 1:1 Goldner (18.03), 2:1 David Galassiti (19.50), 3:1 Egger (21.41), 4:1 Hällfors (32.27), 5:1 Kaufmann (43.01), 5:2 Michael Sölva (55.37), 6:2 Wieser (58.39), 7:2 Nyman (59.04)
Audience: 597
Score in the series: 2:0


HC Meran – EC Kitzbühel 2:3 aet
1:0 Brunner (0.30), 1:1 Lehtonen (8.30), 2:1 Garreffa (16.12), 2:2 Maxa (32.18), 2:3 Niemelä (60.23)
Audience: 1033
Score in the series: 1:1

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