Leo Messner (left) in conversation with SportNews. © Jan Marc Zublasing

A resident of Val Gardena in Eppan: "We want to seal the deal."

HC Eppan missed their first opportunity to qualify for the Italian Cup in Milan on Sunday evening. The Pirates are determined not to let their second chance slip away on Tuesday, as forward Leo Messner emphasized in an interview with SportNews.

29 December 2025

From: leo

From January 9th to 11th, Italy's ice hockey world will be watching Milan with bated breath. The Italian champion will be crowned at the Olympic Santa Giulia Arena, with the top teams from the Alps Hockey League (AlpsHL) competing for the title. Meanwhile, the top four teams in the Italian Hockey League (IHL) will battle for the Italian Cup. While the participants in the first competition are already determined, one spot remains open in the second. HC Eppan can secure this spot on Tuesday with a victory against second-place Alleghe, after the Pirates squandered their first opportunity with a 3-6 loss to the Fassa Falcons on Sunday.

“We certainly felt the pressure, but we were eager to secure promotion yesterday,” Leo Messner emphasized. “Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. We couldn’t contain their top players.” Indeed, Niklas Salo and Andrei Mikhnov, the IHL’s two top scorers with 53 and 50 points respectively, each bagged a hat trick. However, the slip-up wasn’t too painful, as Eppan still holds a four-point lead over fifth-placed Aosta with two regular-season games remaining. If MacGregor Sharp’s team wins against already-qualified Alleghe on Tuesday, their participation will be guaranteed.

Messner sets ambitious goals

“We know that Alleghe is one of the top teams in the league. Our plan is to play simply and quickly and capitalize on our scoring opportunities. We won the first game of the season (4-3, editor's note) and now it's time to seal the deal,” emphasizes the 22-year-old from St. Ulrich, who moved to Eppan from HC Gherdëina in the summer after 231 games in the AlpsHL and has played a significant role in the success of the Überetsch team with 27 points in 20 games.

Leo Messner has big plans for Eppan. © Social Media / HC Eppan

“I already played a few games for Eppan in 2023. The deciding factor for my move to Eppan was their interest after the season ended. I found the challenge exciting and therefore decided to take this step,” says Messner, who lives in St. Ulrich, works in Brixen, and now commutes to Eppan for training almost daily. “That was the biggest adjustment for me, as I had always played in Gröden before. The decision certainly wasn't easy, but I've settled in very well in my new environment.”

He believes anything is possible with this team. "We've played a very good championship so far – despite the injuries that have hampered us. We've proven that we can beat any team. We have to be aware of that. And that's why I'm convinced we also have the ability to win the title," Messner concludes.

Italian Hockey League

Tuesday, December 30th:
Pergine – Falcons Brixen (18.45 p.m.)
HC Aosta – Varese (20 p.m.)
HC Eppan – Alleghe
HC 3 Zinnen Dolomites – Fassa Falcons
SV Kaltern – Valpellice (8:30 pm)
Feltre – Valdifiemme (21 p.m.)

Saturday, January 3th:
Falcons Brixen – HC Eppan (18 p.m.)
Varese – Pergine (19 p.m.)
Alleghe – SV Kaltern (8:30 pm)
Valdifiemme – HC 3 Zinnen Dolomites
Valpellice – Feltre

Alps Hockey League

Tuesday, December 30th:
Red Bull Juniors – SG Cortina (19.15 p.m.)
EC Bregenzerwald – HC Meran (7:30 p.m.)
EC Kitzbühel – HC Gherdëina
KHL Sisak – Unterland Cavaliers
EK Zell am See – Rittner Buam
HC Asiago – Wipptal Broncos (20.30 p.m.)

Friday, January 2th:
HDD Jesenice – KHL Sisak (19 p.m.)
EC Kitzbühel – EC Bregenzerwald (19.30 p.m.)
Wipptal Broncos – Red Bull Juniors (20 p.m.)
Unterland Cavaliers – Rittner Buam
HC Gherdëina – EK Zell am See (20.30 p.m.)
HC Meran – HC Asiago

Sunday, January 4th:
Red Bull Juniors – EC Kitzbühel (16.30 p.m.)
Wipptal Broncos – HDD Jesenice (18 p.m.)
Rittner Buam – HC Meran
EK Zell am See – EC Bregenzerwald (7:30 pm)
HC Asiago – HC Gherdëina (20.30 p.m.)
SG Cortina – Unterland Cavaliers