With the final in sight: Raphael Andergassen and HCP are fully focused. © Markus Ranalter

A slap in the face and its consequences: The secret of HC Pustertal

HC Pustertal is currently writing an ice hockey fairytale, the likes of which South Tyrol hasn't seen in a long time. But what's behind this incredible success story? We asked around in Bruneck.

April 03, 2026

From Bruneck

For weeks, HC Pustertal has been causing a stir in the ICE Hockey League. The Bruneck-based team qualified for the playoffs in sixth place, a rather unspectacular achievement – ​​but since then, everything has suddenly changed at the Intercable Arena.

The Wolves impress with incredible team spirit, uncompromising commitment, and a blend of discipline, composure, and a touch of luck. Their record is remarkable: four wins against champions Salzburg, three against Ljubljana – no losses, and only seven goals conceded in seven games. The final is within reach, and HCP has suddenly become a title contender.

"No one is sitting back here. We are hungry." HCP captain Raphael Andergassen

But how did this development come about? What changed before the playoffs? After the third 3:0 against Olimpija We met with the long-standing top performers at the Intercable Arena. Raphael Andergassen and Matthias Mantinger The discussion quickly raised another question: Was this success really so surprising?

A mantra from success to success

The two veterans certainly didn't seem surprised. "This might sound strange, but we were convinced we would beat Salzburg," said Mantinger. "Based on our results in the preliminary round, we went into the match with a lot of confidence. It's a similar situation now with Ljubljana. But be warned: we haven't achieved anything yet!"

This mantra, "We haven't achieved anything yet," has been repeated in Bruneck like a mantra in every interview since March 10th, the day of their first playoff victory. This also shows that in the Puster Valley, they are certainly not resting on their laurels; their focus is entirely on the future! "That's exactly right," says captain Andergassen sharply, "we are far from finished. The club has invested a lot of money in this team, we have worked hard. Nobody here is resting on their laurels. We are hungry."

Now on to the final: Matthias Mantinger sets the course. © HCP

But even though HCP has increased its budget, the team possesses great quality, and the players are giving their all, the question remains: what's the reason for this sudden explosion in performance? "Perhaps it wasn't always apparent during the regular season, but something has come together here," explains Mantinger. Andergassen adds: "Everyone is fighting for each other. Add to that growing self-confidence – and, in crucial moments, a bit of luck."

"I thought about it every single day for weeks." Matthias Mantinger on the 2:7 derby defeat in Bolzano

Initially, they both say there wasn't really a clear turning point. "Or was there?" Mantinger blurts out after a long pause for thought. "There was something: the thrashing in the derby in Bolzano. That was at the beginning of February, right before the Olympic break. For two weeks afterward, I thought about that 2-7 defeat every single day. Frustration built up – but so did the will to prove everyone wrong. And I wasn't the only one. You could feel it in training. That's when this unbridled hunger was born."

So now there is an explanation for this particular wolf bite, which, incidentally, the pack leader also noticed. Coach Jason Jaspers, He benefits from this. With his calm demeanor, he leads the team from victory to victory. The focus remains entirely on the next game – perfectly in line with the new Pustertal self-image. Jaspers provides proof of this in the following video statement.