Symbolic puck drop at the Intercable Arena, from left: Olimpija captain Robert Sabolic, para-athlete René De Silvestro, Dorothea Wierer and Pustertal captain Raphael Andergassen. © Iwan Foppa / HCP

Doro Wierer and young pike: Big hype surrounding HC Pustertal

HC Pustertal's ice hockey fairytale has sparked enormous euphoria far beyond the valley's borders. This was made clear once again on Sunday in the first semi-final game.

March 30, 2026

From: det

Is this the year of HC Pustertal? The fact is, the Wolves are dominating the ICE Hockey League playoffs. After their quarterfinal sweep against Red Bull Salzburg, the Black and Yellows also won the opening game of the semifinal series on Sunday. won convincingly against Olimpija Ljubljana with a score of 3:0.

3.104 fans in the completely sold-out Intercable Arena once again created a memorable atmosphere. Among the many spectators were also a number of celebrities, such as Dorothea Wierer. The biathlon queen didn't miss the semi-final showdown and, together with Paralympic athlete René De Silvestro, had the honor of performing the symbolic puck drop.

"It's really great here." Dorothea Wierer

“I used to watch ice hockey a lot at the Rienz Stadium, but this is my first time at the Intercable Arena. It’s really fantastic,” the two-time overall World Cup winner enthused. For Wierer, such visits are now easier to manage, as she has been retired from biathlon for several weeks. The 35-year-old from Niederrasen ended her illustrious career at the Olympic Games in Antholz and is now cheering on HCP in the playoffs.

60 young pike admire their Kaltern role models.

Another heartwarming story unfolded on Sunday thanks to SV Kaltern. Around 60 youth players from the IHL club traveled with the club's board to the Intercable Arena to cheer on HC Pustertal – and especially the three Kaltern stars. Matthias Mantinger, Alan Lobis, and Raphael Andergassen all hail from the wine-growing village in the Überetsch region and took their first steps in ice hockey there; today, they are all regulars for HCP. Andergassen has been the captain for years.

Matthias Mantinger, Alan Lobis and Raphael Andergassen (from left) posed with the Kaltern fans after the game.

A special highlight awaited the young players after the final whistle. Despite the exertions of the game, Andergassen, Mantinger, and Lobis made sure to go straight to the Kaltern fan section. Amidst great cheers, the professionals posed with the youngsters for a commemorative photo.