Daniel Erlacher (left) and Michael Sölva won the third final match against Aosta. © All photos: KSV/M. Sinn

Title defense imminent: Kaltern builds on home form

SV Kaltern struck back in the playoff final series against Aosta and took the lead again. In front of around 750 spectators, the Pike secured the third game of the best-of-seven series.

April 02, 2026

From: cst

Win, loss, win. That's how the IHL final series has gone so far from Kaltern's perspective. On Thursday, the Pike added another home victory to the story. After a long back-and-forth, the South Tyroleans won 6-3, thus regaining the lead in the series at 2-1.

For two and a half periods, the game in Kaltern was extremely evenly matched. Both teams allowed plenty of opportunities defensively and were always dangerous on offense. Midway through the second period, Kaltern relinquished a 2-1 lead within seconds. Jakob Oberhöller, a South Tyrolean playing for Aosta, tied the game at 2-2 – then former Puster Valley player Brandon McNally turned the game around (29th minute).

The final phase belonged to Kaltern

Kaltern shook off the setback but needed about 20 minutes to get back into the game. Then Aosta came roaring back. Mikael Saha opened the floodgates, scoring the equalizer to make it 3-3 (50th minute) and sparking a furious final phase for Kaltern. The Sölva brothers, Maximilian and Michael (who scored on the power play), sealed the victory before Aosta threw everything forward, and Michael Sölva sealed the 6-3 win with an empty-net goal.

The series now moves back to Aosta, where the fourth game of the final series will take place on Saturday evening at 20 p.m. It could be decisive if the defending champions from Kaltern manage another victory.

Italian Hockey League: Playoff Final, Game 3 (best of seven)

SV Kaltern – HC Aosta 4:3
Kaltern: Rohregger (Pallabazzer); Clericuzio-Valentini, Massar-Michael Sölva, Schmid-Reffo, Oberhuber-Schöpfer; Alanne-Wieser-Saha, Selva-Maximilian Sölva-Oberrauch, De Donà-Vinatzer-Galassiti, Erlacher-Cappuccio-Max Oberrauch.
Coach: Virtala

Aosta: Pearl (Montini); Lysenko-Sukhtskyi, De Santi-Oberhöller, Capra-Mazòn, assistant; Verza-Nimenko-Nardella, McNally-Fraschetta-Mocellin, Minniti-Movchan-Badoglio, Mazzocchi-Lenta-Calovi.
Coach: Giovinazzo

Gates: 0:1 Nardella (8.24), 1:1 Schmid (22.18), 2:1 Alanne (26.23), 2:2 Oberhöller (28.11), 2:3 NcNally (28.44), 3:3 Saha (49.07), 4:3 Maximilian Sölva (52.38), 5:3 Michael Sölva (57.00), 6:3 Michael Solva (59.34)

Viewers: 750

Status in the series: 2:1