Tobias Morandell scored the goal. © Jan Marc Zublasing

Eppan on the brink of elimination – Kaltern secures a match point

SV Kaltern is on course for the semifinals of the Italian Hockey League (IHL). The situation is different for HC Eppan, who are facing elimination in the quarterfinals against Pergine after their second defeat.

March 03, 2026

From: leo

The series between the Pirates and the Trentino team was shaping up to be an exciting one, as both clubs had won two games each during the regular season. But in the playoffs, the tables have turned. After a 2-4 defeat at home, Jagger Williamson & Co. also lost 2-6 in Pergine on Tuesday.

The game was effectively decided in the first period, as the 2024 champions were already leading 4-0 after just 18 minutes. Among the scorers was South Tyrolean Michael Sullmann. When Enrico Bitetto made it 5-0 shortly after the restart, the game was all but over. Eppan's goals, scored by Fabian Dellagiacoma and Tobias Morandell, were merely cosmetic.

Michael Sölva scored the winning goal. © Manfred Sinn

Meanwhile, SV Kaltern celebrated a hard-fought victory in Feltre. The Pike turned a 0-1 deficit into a 2-1 lead in the second period thanks to goals from Moritz Selva and Mikael Saha. However, the home team remained persistent and pulled one back through Bruno Mraz. Finally, it was captain Michael Sölva who set the stage for the win in the 52nd minute. Saha and Joonas Alanne sealed the victory in the final minutes.

Aosta also leads 2-0.

Kaltern can clinch the best-of-five series in 48 hours, while HC Eppan will be fighting to avoid early elimination. HC Aosta is also on course for the semifinals after their 4-2 victory against the Fassa Falcons. The only series tied at 1-1 is between Alleghe and Varese.

Italian Hockey League, playoffs:

Feltre – SV Kaltern 2:5
Goals: 1:0 Fantinel (9.57), 1:1 Selva (22.12), 1:2 Saha (35.15), 2:2 Mraz (41.19), 2:3 Michael Sölva (51.43), 2:4 Saha (54.53), 2:5 Alanne (59.47)
Audience: 583
Score in the series: 0:2

Alleghe - Varese 5:1
Goals: 1:0 Iori (16.12), 2:0 Soppelsa (31.58), 3:0 Iori (33.14), 3:1 Crivellari (44.04), 4:1 De Toni (51.39), 5:1 Isiguzo (53.31)
Audience: 504
Score in the series: 1:1

Pergine – HC Eppan 6:2
Goals: 1:0 Meneghini (6.40), 2:0 Sullmann (7.52), 3:0 Korkiakoski (12.17), 4:0 Foccoli (17.55), 5:0 Bitetto (23.59), 5:1 Dellagiacoma (31.06), 5:2 Morandell (35.15), 6:2 Covi (58.17)
Audience: 403
Score in the series: 2:0

Fassa Falcons – HC Aosta 2:4
Goals: 1:0 Salo (2.47), 1:1 Lysenko (18.27), 1:2 Nimenko (21.21), 1:3 Fraschetta (45.01), 2:3 Salo (51.55), 2:4 Nimenko (59.29)
Audience: 627
Score in the series: 0:2