Kaltern has scored in the series against Pergine. © Instagram/SV Kaltern

On a knife's edge: Kaltern strikes back

SV Kaltern showed the right response to their opening defeat in the Italian Hockey League (IHL) semi-final series. The Pike defeated Pergine 3-1 on Tuesday.

March 17, 2026

From: do

SV Kaltern bounced back impressively after their poor start to the semi-final series. Three days after their 2-4 home defeat in the first game, the team from Überetsch won 3-1 away at Pergine, leveling the best-of-five series at 1-1.

In an intense and hard-fought game, the hosts once again got off to a better start: Michael Sullmann put Pergine ahead 1-0 in the 6th minute during a power play.

Tension until the end

Kaltern, however, remained unfazed this time and turned the game around in the second period. Joonas Oskari Alanne first equalized on the power play in the 30th minute, before Jonas Oberrauch added a second goal for the Pike just under two minutes later while shorthanded, putting them ahead 2-1. With that, the South Tyroleans had turned the game around in a very short time and given themselves an excellent starting position for the final period.

Kaltern won 3-1. © Instagram/SV Kaltern

Kaltern defended their narrow lead with great effort and discipline before Mattia Clericuzio sealed the victory with an empty-net goal in the final stages. The Pike thus celebrated a crucial away win and tied the series at 1-1.

IHL Semi-final, Game 2 (Best of 5)

Pergine – Kaltern 1:3
Goals: 1:0 Sullmann (5.03), 1:1 Alanne (29.38), 1:2 Oberrauch (31.27), 1:3 Clericuzio (58.58)
Score in the series: 1:1

Varese – Aosta 3:9
Goals: 0:1 Calovi (3.52), 0:2 McNally (8.38), 0:3 Nardella (11.48), 1:3 Maekinen (17.08), 1:4 Nardella (25.35), 1:5 Nardella (26.49), 1:6 Sukhytskyi (28.58), 2:6 Buono (30.37), 2:7 Fraschetta (39.04), 2:8 Nardella (44.25), 3:8 Terzago (50.58), 3:9 Fraschetta (51.31)
Score in the series: 0:2