Daniel Mantenuto has two home games ahead with Bolzano. © Vanna Antonello

Now the league newcomer comes to South Tyrol

HC Falkensteiner Pustertal and HCB Südtirol Alperia each have six points after three matches. This home game weekend will serve as a benchmark for South Tyrol's ICE clubs.

September 25, 2025

From: dl

The South Tyrolean clubs have shown more light than shade at the start of the ICE Hockey League season. HC Bolzano will host league newcomer Ferencváros Budapest, who effectively replace Asiago this year, at home on Friday. The traditional Hungarian club – 31-time national champions – already met Bolzano 52 years ago. In 1973, the year after the Talferstadt team's second championship title, the Foxes played their first IIHF European Cup game against Ferencváros.

Today, FTC-Telekom is the Hungarian champion (six consecutive titles from 2018 to 2024) and a two-time winner of the First League (Hungarian-Romanian competition). This summer, the team decided to enter the ICEHL and significantly upgraded its roster. In goal is national team goalie Bence Balizs, gold medalist at the 2024 World Championship Division 1A in Bolzano, who most recently played in Norway. The team is coached by Finn Timo Saarikoski, who has brought several fellow countrymen and Scandinavians to Budapest.

League newcomers Budapest will play in Bolzano on Friday and Bruneck on Saturday. © FTC Jégkorong

However, Budapest only managed one win in their first four games. HCB, which faces Linz on Sunday, is brimming with confidence ahead of its home doubleheader. The recent away win at KAC, in particular, gave Daniel Frank and Co. a great deal of self-confidence. The entire squad is ready for action – meaning one player will sit in the stands for rotation reasons.

Pustertal wants first home win

The HC Pustertal hosts champions Red Bull Salzburg, who already won in Bolzano this year, on Friday. They then face Budapest at the Intercable Arena on Saturday. After their two previous away wins, the Wolves now aim to add another home win.

This is what Tommy Purdeller (HC Pustertal) says:

"The main focus is on Salzburg. We want to beat them and show that we want to be among the top teams in the league this year. To do that, we have to take better advantage of our chances than we did against Graz. That will be the key," said Pustertal's Tommy Purdeller before the home doubleheader.

ICE: The games from the weekend

EC KAC – Graz99ers (Friday, 7:15 p.m.)
Black Wings Linz – Villacher SV
HC Innsbruck – Olimpia Laibach
Pioneers Vorarlberg – Vienna Capitals (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)
HCB Südtirol Alperia – Telekom Budapest (Friday, 7:45 p.m.)
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – EC Red Bull Salzburg
HC Innsbruck – Vienna Capitals (Saturday, 5:30 p.m.)
HC Falkensteiner Pustertal – Telekom Budapest (Saturday, 7:45 p.m.)
Graz99ers – Villacher SV (Sunday, 12:30)
Red Bull Salzburg – Pioneers Vorarlberg (Sunday, 15.00 p.m.)
HCB Südtirol Alperia – Black Wings Linz (Sunday, 6:00 PM)
Olimpia Laibach – Hydro Fehervar