h ICEHL

Huge cheers in Bolzano, disappointed faces at HC Pustertal. © Optic Rapid / Iwan Foppa

Completely crazy derby: Foxes do the unthinkable

Before the derby between HC Pustertal and HCB Südtirol Alperia, many scenarios could be imagined. However, it was not in the schedule that the wolves first dismantled the vice-champion in every way before he made a brilliant comeback. Ultimately, the guests cheered after extra time.

From the Intercable Arena

From:
Leo Holzknecht

Rarely before has the derby between South Tyrol's biggest ice hockey clubs been so important. Here is HC Pustertal, which was below the ominous line of the top 6. Because HC Bozen, who had three points more and wanted to consolidate their direct playoff place. And of course there is the prestige, which never comes second in this eternal duel. At the beginning, only one team seemed to be aware of the importance of this game: namely HC Pustertal, which then collapsed like a house of cards and had to give way to its rivals with a score of 4:5 after extra time.


Before the match, the sold-out Intercable Arena prepared itself for an exciting, physical game. To the dismay of the 270 HCB fans present, there was initially no sign of this. The home team literally overwhelmed the HCB, dominated it to the core and led 21-4 after 0 minutes. When everything seemed decided, Daniel Frank & Co. showed their true character and started a race to catch up that will go down in the history books. The comeback was crowned by defender Josh Teves.


Both teams revealed numerous weaknesses that evening, but at the same time also their quality. The Wolves initially impressed with their efficiency and willingness to go where it hurts. The mental fragility, which was already evident several times this year, was also expressed. The Foxes, on the other hand, looked frightening defensively before using well-known virtues to gain momentum. Suddenly they were a step faster, won the duels and didn't let anything go wrong at the back. The fact that Teves sent the HCB fans into ecstasy in extra time was the logical consequence - and deserved.

The highlights

Early shockOnly five minutes have been played when the arena shakes for the first time: Matthias Mantinger shoots from a tight angle and surprises HCB goalie Sam Harvey, who doesn't cut a good figure.
What's going on here?While the Foxes can't get anything done with one more man, the HCP strikes ice cold in the power play: Jason Akeson slams the puck into the corner. Bozen is in a state of shock and concedes the 20:0 3 seconds later: Alex Petan plays the puck from behind the goal line into the danger zone, where Dante Hannoun is lurking and scores.
HCP as if intoxicatedThe middle third has only just begun when David Morley makes the preliminary decision: Akeson can penetrate the zone unchallenged, plays to Rick Schofield, who passes it on to David Morley and sees his teammate slotting into the empty goal.
Is there anything else going on here?McClure, who has been waiting for a goal for over two months, deflects in a Miglioranzi shot to make it 4-1. Shortly after the start of the third period, Luca Frigo was successful with a follow-up shot - only 2:4.
Just unbelievableTwo goals within 35 seconds bring the HCB closer again: First Connor Ford scores with a shot into the top corner, then Domenic Alberga is successful with a deflection.
Teves, the heroThe Foxes first kill a power play in extra time, a little later McClure and Josh Teves escape, who bring about the decision.

The Foxes have thus taken a big step towards the playoffs, while the Black and Yellows have to fend for themselves and suffer an extremely bitter defeat. But not everything is lost, there are three more games left in the regular season. The Wolves will play against the Graz 99ers on Sunday, and the HCB will be visiting Villacher SV on Thursday.

HC Pustertal – HCB Südtirol Alperia 4:5 aet

HCP: Bernard (Smith); Stanton-Messner, Kasastul-Ege, Glira-Atwal, Althuber; Hannoun-Frycklund-Petan, Morley-Schofield-Akeson, Deluca-Andergassen-Mantinger, Catenacci-Sill-Öhler, Hasler.
coach: Mountainous

HSBC: Harvey (Vallini); Valentine-Vandane, Teves-Di Perna, Miglioranzi-Parlett, Pietroniro; Frank-McClure-Thomas, Frigo-Mantenuto-Miceli, Gazley-Ford-DiGiacinto, Felicetti-Alberga-Brunner.
coach: Hanlon

Gates: 1:0 Mantinger (4.54), 2:0 Akeson (13.42), 3:0 Hannoun (14.02), 4:0 Morley (21.06), 4:1 McClure (36.17), 4:2 Frigo (43.40), 4: 3 Ford (50.55), 4:4 Alberga (51.27), 4:5 Teves (64.08)

Viewers: 3104

ICE Hockey League

Black Wings Linz – Pioneers Vorarlberg 5:2
Goals: 0:1 Pastujov (13.11), 1:1 Kristler (14.09), 1:2 Woger (15.04), 2:2 Collins (25.22), 3:2 Lebler (43.55), 4:2 Bretschneider (47.32), 5:2 Stajnoch (48.20)
Audience: 3282

EC KAC – AV Fehervar 5:2
Goals: 0:1 Mihaly (2.20), 1:1 Ganahl (20.36), 1:2 Magosi (25.16), 2:2 Mursak (31.58), 3:2 Mursak (33.13), 4:2 Petersen (44.55), 5:2 Gomboc (56.09)
Audience: 4254

HC Innsbruck – Graz 99ers 4:1
Goals: 1:0 Peeters (6.25), 2:0 Peeters (8.22), 3:0 Mackin (41.24), 4:0 Jakubitzka (51.07), 4:1 Kernberger (58.12)
Audience: 2200

Olimpija Ljubljana – Vienna Capitals 3-0
Goals: 1:0 Pance (52.32), 2:0 Sodja (53.11), 3:0 Simsic (59.13)
Audience: 1130

Asiago – Villacher SV 2:4
Goals: 1:0 Marchetti (2.03), 1:1 Hancock (28.40), 2:1 Marchetti (31.26), 2:2 Desjardins (47.33), 2:3 Hughes (53.13), 2:4 Golod (59.19)
Audience: 1695

The table

SPGUVTVP
1. EC Klagenfurt4531014173:9996
2. Fehervar4428016142:12285
3. EC Salzburg4428016133:10382
4. HCB South Tyrol4426018127:11473
5. Linz4423021143:11372
6. EC Villach4424020147:13171
7. HC Innsbruck4424020127:12471
8. HC Pustertal4523022134:13269
9. Olimpija Ljubljana4422022137:13265
10. Vorarlberg4520025144:14660
11. Vienna Capitals4516029109:16148
12. Asiago Hockey4412032112:17840
13. Graz99ers441103384:15732

Comments (0)

Confirm the activation link in our email to verify your account and write comments. Resend activation link
Complete your profile information to write comments.
Edit Profile

You have to sign into use the comment function.

© 2025 First Avenue GmbH