SV Kaltern has secured another victory. © Diego Barbieri/Laura Malvarosa / MICO26 / Diego Barbieri

The pike put their hunter in his place.

The first half of the Master Round and Qualification Round in the Italian Hockey League (IHL) came to an end on Saturday. SV Kaltern celebrated a prestigious victory.

31 January 2026

From: never

SV Kaltern isn't easily put under pressure. With a six-point lead over HC Aosta, the Pike entered the clash of the two best IHL clubs of the current season, and their cushion has only grown after a commanding 3-1 away victory. In front of 550 spectators, the Master Round leaders needed just 72 seconds and Jonas Oberrauch's clinical finishing to take the lead.

Shortly before the end of the first period, Mikael Saha increased the lead to 2-0 (19:48). The South Tyroleans maintained the pressure, and their 44-25 shot count underscores their hunger – which would be rewarded a third time. Matteo Cappuccio made it 3-0 in the 47th minute, and Aosta's Vladyslav Lysenko could only manage a consolation goal to make the final score 3-0 (55:11). Kaltern now sits atop the table with 32 points, while Aosta trails by nine points.

Defeat for Eppan, Brixen beats Valpellice

HC Eppan's Master Round campaign has yet to find its rhythm. The Pirates suffered their third consecutive defeat on Saturday evening in their away game against Hockey Pergine. Despite a promising start with more chances than the home side, Eppan ultimately lost 1-5, but it was Pergine's Andrea Meneghini who scored the first goal of the evening. Three more goals followed before Tobias Chizzali briefly narrowed the gap to 1-4 (45:04). Dino Andreotti then sealed the victory for Pergine shortly after (48:40).

South Tyrol's ups and downs were also experienced in the Qualification Round. The Brixen Falcons showed nerves of steel in front of 101 spectators at home against Valpellice, turning a 0-1 deficit into a 3-1 lead. Filippo Salvai made it exciting again with his goal (30:47), but shortly after the start of the final period, Mattia Covelli scored the winning goal, making it 4-2 (40:28). Thus, the Eisack Valley team celebrated their first victory after two consecutive losses and now have 13 points.

Good start, bitter end

Meanwhile, HC 3 Zinnen Dolomites experienced the opposite outcome. Playing at home, the bottom-ranked team took a 1-0 lead after just under five minutes through Vojtech Tomi, but then conceded four goals. Francesco Adami (49th, 53rd minute) and Patrick Mazzarini (53rd, 10th minute) did bring the Polar Bears, who had conceded more goals than their opponents (37:22), back into contention. However, the game remained unchanged – the South Tyroleans ultimately lost 3-4.

Italian Hockey League – Saturday's results

Hockey Pergine – HC Eppan 5:1
Goals: 1:0 Meneghini (18.49), 2:0 Korkiakoski (23.10), 3:0 Gasperetti (31.30), 4:0 Foccoli (44.48), 4:1 Chizzali (45.04), 5:1 Andreotti (48.40)
Audience: 315

HC 3 Zinnen Dolomites – Fassa Falcons 3:4
Goals: 1:0 Tomi (4.59), 1:1 Mikhnov (26.32), 1:2 Salo (34.50), 1:3 Deluca (38.06), 1:4 Rossi (41.18), 2:4 Adami (49.53), 3:4 Mazzarini (53.10)
Audience: 163

HC Aosta – SV Kaltern 1:3
Goals: 0:1 Oberrauch (1.12), 0:2 Saha (19.48), 0:3 Cappuccio (46.41), 1:3 Lysenko (55.11)
Audience: 550

HC Falcons Brixen – HC Valpellice Bulldogs 4:2
Goals: 0:1 Vuorio (1.31), 1:1 Rinnetmäki (6.48), 2:1 Niccolai (17.49), 3:1 Obexer (30.00), 3:2 Salvai (30.47), 4:2 Covelli (40.28)
Audience: 101

HC Feltre – HC Valdifiemme 2:1
Goals: 1:0 Fantinel (32.27), 1:1 Karpenko (39.07), 2:1 Vignoli (49.11)
Audience: 902

Allgehe Hockey – Varese Hockey 6:3
Goals: 0:1 Terzago (4.29), 1:1 Alessio (22.08), 2:1 de Val (22.20), 2:2 Ghiglione (28.08), 3:2 Aleksandrov (31.48), 3:3 Buono (35.20), 4:3 de Toni (46.57), 5:3 de Toni (51.08), 6:3 Huhtela (59.27)