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The Pustertal cracks celebrate their derby victory. © All photos: HC Pustertal/I. Foppa
149 crazy seconds: The Pustertal Derby madness
It was pure drama, an ice hockey spectacle in its purest form. HC Falkensteiner Pustertal and HCB Südtirol Alperia delivered a memorable first derby of the season on Friday, at the end of which the men in black and yellow cheered loudly.
10 October 2025
From the Intercable Arena
From:
Thomas Debelyak
The fans ripped their shirts off, their favorites on the ice raised their arms in the air, and the noise level had already reached deafening levels. By the time the final whistle sounded at 22 p.m. sharp on Friday in Bruneck, the completely sold-out Intercable Arena had long since become a complete madhouse. A madhouse in which the home team, HC Pustertal, provided the big party: They beat archrivals Bozen 5-3, turning a game that many thought was already lost.
It was a fast-paced, thrilling, and at times top-class duel between the two South Tyrolean ice hockey greats. There was plenty of toughness, even if the action remained within fair bounds. What ultimately made the difference? That was the Pustertal team's fighting spirit. The Wolves trailed 2-0 against league leaders Bolzano after the first period, but fought back and didn't give up even after the latest setback to make it 2-3.
No, instead, there were 149 seconds in the final stages that Wolves fans will remember for a long time. In those two and a half minutes, the Black and Yellows completely turned the game on its head with three goals. Veteran Rok Ticar emerged as the hero, scoring a brace. When Henry Bowlby then scored to make it 5-3 thanks to a kind assist from Bolzano's Max Gildon, the Intercable Arena was shaken to its foundations. Bolzano was caught off guard by this sudden attack and unable to react – also because Wednesday's Champions League match was clearly still on their minds.
The next derby is not far away
And so, the party in the Intercable Arena was huge when, after 60 thrilling minutes, it was confirmed that Pustertal was the first derby winner of the season. The standings certainly speak for South Tyrolean ice hockey: Although Bolzano lost the lead to Olimpija Ljubljana, they still sit in second place with 18 points, while Pustertal is lurking in third place, just one point behind. Fans won't have to wait long for the next clash between the Black and Yellows and the White and Reds, as the two clubs will face off in Bolzano on October 31st.The derby highlights
| Furious start | HC Bozen took a few minutes to get into the game, but then took control. Mantenuto was left completely alone in the slot, Frigo fed him – and the score was 1-0 (15th minute). Just three minutes later, the Foxes increased their lead: Seed's shot from the blue line was deflected decisively by McClure (18th minute). HCP was far too far away from the man. |
| Furious response | Pustertal emerged from the locker room transformed, turned things up a notch, and rewarded themselves with the equalizer. First, Saracino converted a rebound to make it 2-1 (25'), then the Wolves struck while outnumbered. Bowlby broke through and played a cross to Bardreau, who slotted home to make it 2-2 (38'). |
| The winning goal? | In the final period, Bolzano regained control and took a 3-2 lead. Frank fought for the puck behind the net and passed to Misley, who sent the traveling Bolzano fans into a frenzy with the 3-2 lead (44'). |
| 149 seconds | Three goals in 149 seconds – Pustertal turns the Intercable Arena into a madhouse. Veteran Ticar scores twice after an assist from Purdeller (51') and a pass from Frycklund (53'), then Bolzano's Gildon deflects a Bowlby cross into his own net (53') – that's it! |
The two South Tyrolean flagships continue their campaign on Sunday. Bolzano faces Villach at home (16 p.m.), while Pustertal faces Klagenfurt away (17:30 p.m.).
HC Pustertal – HC Bozen 5:3
HCP: Pasquale (Rabanser); Zanatta-Blum, Lauridsen-DiTomaso, Glira-Osmanski; Lipon-Ticar-Purdeller, Ierullo-Frycklund-Lobis, Bowlby-Bardreau-Saracino, Mantinger-Andergassen-DelucaCoach: Jaspers
HSBC: Harvey (Vallini); Valentine-Barberio, Gildon-Seed, Miglioranzi-DiPerna, Larcher; Bradley-Gersich-Gazley, Schneider-Pollock-McClure, Frank-Misley-Marchetti, Frigo-Mantenuto-DiGiacinto, Brunner
Coach: Kleinendorst
Gates: 0-1 Daniel Mantenuto (14.17), 0-2 Brad McClure (17.33), 1-2 Nick Saracino (24.31), 2-2 Cole Bardreau (37.32), 2-3 Bryce Misley (43.31), 3-3 Rok Ticar (50.08), 4-3 Rok Ticar (52.08), 5-3 Henry Bowlby (52.37)
Viewers: 3.104 (sold out)
The other games
Graz99ers – FTC-Telekom 2:3 nVGoals: 0:1 Sofron (0.24), 0:2 Laskawy (35.31), 1:2 Feldner (38.01), 2:2 Swaney (42.06), 2:3 Shaw (61.23)
Audience: 2.858
Red Bull Salzburg – Vienna Capitals 4:3 aet
Goals: 0:1 Franklin (8.24), 1:1 Nissner (15.51), 1:2 Souch (27.11), 2:2 Auer (29.47), 2:3 Antonitsch (32.20), 3:3 Baltram (53.04), 4:3 Michael Raffl (60.14)
Audience: 2.617
Olimpija Ljubljana – Black Wings Linz 8:4
Goals: 1:0 Mehle (6.06), 2:0 Halbert (12.03), 3:0 Meyer (18.31), 4:0 Brennan (19.59), 5:0 Kapel (22.50), 6:0 Quince (29.26), 7:0 Boychuk (31.43), 7:1 Gaffal (35.33), 8:1 Mehle (39.49), 8:2 Neubauer (57.35), 8:3 St-Amant (58.26), 8:4 Moro (58.48)
Audience: 3.378
| SP | G | U | V | TV | P | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Olimpija Ljubljana | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 48:23 | 19 |
| 2. HCB South Tyrol | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 30:15 | 18 |
| 3. HC Pustertal | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 28:17 | 17 |
| 4. EC Salzburg | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 25:19 | 17 |
| 5. Graz99ers | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 29:22 | 14 |
| 6. EC Villach | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 26:26 | 13 |
| 7. Vienna Capitals | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 28:34 | 13 |
| 8. EC Klagenfurt | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 20:18 | 12 |
| 9. Fehervar | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 17:25 | 10 |
| 10. Ferencvarosi | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 20:24 | 9 |
| 11. HC Innsbruck | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 17:36 | 5 |
| 12. Linz | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 25:34 | 5 |
| 13. Vorarlberg | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 14:34 | 4 |
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