First-time champions: Unbounded jubilation in Bruneck

HC Pustertal kicks off its ICE Hockey League semifinal campaign on Sunday. The day before, its younger sibling, HCP Junior, demonstrated how to finish the playoffs in exhilarating fashion. In front of approximately 1.000 fans, they secured their first championship title in the third division!

March 28, 2026

From: fop

The IHL 1st Division has a new champion – and HCP Junior has achieved its long-awaited revenge. After losing the final last year against HC Chiavenna, the young Wolves won the final series this time – and in impressive fashion.

After two opening victories, first in Lombardy and then on Thursday in Bruneck, HCP Junior also won their second consecutive home game, decisively winning the best-of-five series 3-0. Bruneck won the final game 3-1.

The close scoreline doesn't even begin to reflect the course of the game. The Puster Valley team dominated for the entire 60 minutes, firing off 43 shots (Chiavenna only 11) and initially setting the stage for victory through Raffael Pohlin. Although his rebound goal allowed Chiavenna to equalize, Lukas De Lorenzo Meo put the home team back in the lead shortly before the second intermission during a 5-on-3 power play. Elias Hell then extended the lead to 3-1 after a Pohlin steal. After that, the game was effectively over.

Max Oberrauch and Co. achieve their dreams

At the end of a dominant season, crowned by first place in both the regular season and the Master Round, HCP Junior completed their masterpiece. Celebrations erupted in Bruneck: The team, coached by HCP legend Max Oberrauch, secured their first title in only their second year in the IHL 1st Division, the third-highest Italian league.

IHL 1st Division, Final

HC Pustertal Junior Selection – HC Chiavenna 3:1
Goals: 1:0 Raffael Pohlin (21.45), 1:1 Dennis Gherardi (28.32), 2:1 Lukas De Lorenzo Meo (38.47), 3:1 Elias Hell (56.58)
Audience: 978
Best of 5 series: 3:0

Keywords hockey IHL 1st Division HC Pustertal Junior Chiavenna