Things are getting serious for HC Bozen. © Vanna Antonello / HC Bozen

Top-class tests: Bolzano and Pustertal face DEL teams

The preparations of South Tyrol's largest ice hockey clubs are entering the critical phase. Both HCB Südtirol Alperia and HC Falkensteiner Pustertal face high-profile test matches against teams from the German Ice Hockey League (DEL) on Saturday.

August 22, 2025

From: leo

HC Bozen successfully completed its first friendly match, beating the Wipptal Broncos 5-0 last Saturday. Kurt Kleinendorst's team faces a much more difficult task this Saturday when the White and Reds face the Nuremberg Ice Tigers at their home Sparkasse Arena as part of the Südtirol Summer Classic (20 p.m.).

After a difficult few years without the playoffs, Bayern returned to their fifth season last season, losing 2-4 to regular season winners Ingolstadt in the quarterfinals. Despite a somewhat turbulent summer and Nuremberg starting the new season without a main sponsor, the Ice Tigers are determined to make the playoffs again in the new DEL season. They are undoubtedly favorites against the Foxes, even though they won't play their first competitive game until two weeks later than the South Tyroleans. For the Foxes, however, the Südtirol Summer Classic is already a dress rehearsal for the Champions Hockey League (CHL), which begins in exactly one week.

Luca Frigo and his teammates face tough challenges against strong teams. © Vanna Antonello / HC Bozen

Someone who knows the Ice Tigers very well is behind the HCB bench: Kleinendorst served as Nuremberg's head coach during the 2019/20 season. With his new club, the American aims to beat his former employer on Saturday at 20 p.m. and advance to the final of the Summer Classic, where either EHC Kloten or Plzen (16 p.m.) await.

Pustertal plays in Latsch

At the same time, HC Pustertal will be competing in the Vinschgau Cup in Latsch. After defeating Czech first division team Plzen in their first friendly, the Wolves are aiming for another upset. They will face the Straubing Tigers on Saturday (20 p.m.), followed the following day by a clash with ERC Ingolstadt (18 p.m.). These matches will be particularly challenging for JC Lipon, who has played for Straubing for the past three years.

Raphael Andergassen and his team are looking for another win. © I. Foppa / HC Pustertal

"Straubing and Ingolstadt are two fast teams with a solid core of German players. It will be a big and useful test for us," says the Canadian. "Exciting games can be expected," says Alan Lobis from Kaltern. "They are two great teams. We're looking forward to it." The overwhelming favorites for the tournament are the ZSC Lions, who won both the Swiss Championship and the Champions Hockey League last season.

South Tyrol Summer Classic

Saturday, August 23th:
EHC Kloten – Skoda Plzen (16 p.m.)
HC Bozen – Nuremberg Ice Tigers (20 p.m.)

Sunday, August 24th:
Game for 3th place (16 p.m.)
Final (20 a.m.)

Vinschgau Cup

Friday, August 22rd:
ZSC Lions – ERC Ingolstadt (20 p.m.)

Saturday, August 23th:
HC Pustertal – Straubing Tigers

Sunday, August 24th:
ZSC Lions – Straubing Tigers (14 p.m.)
HC Pustertal – ERC Ingolstadt (18 p.m.)