In Bruneck everything is prepared for the big finale

For days, people in the greater Bruneck area and on the Ritten high plateau have been talking about one and the same topic: two local teams are playing each other for the championship title in Italy's highest ice hockey league. For the first time ever there will be a South Tyrolean final derby without the participation of HC Bozen. This also promises pure excitement, because rarely before has the last playoff round seemed as evenly balanced as the upcoming one between HC Pustertal and Ritten Sport. For both teams, winning the title would be an absolute first and at the same time a chance to forget the disappointments of the past few years, when both sides missed the championship victory they were aiming for several times.

Two teams in top form Both Pustertal and Ritten are going into the final with high hopes. The Wolves defeated Cortina 4-2 in the semi-finals, while Ritten knocked the current champions Asiago out of the competition 4-2. Both teams faced each other in a final just a few months ago: In the Italian Cup, Ritten retained the upper hand in the penalty shootout thanks to a spectacular comeback and the callousness of Ansoldi. The defeat cost Busniuk the coaching position in Bruneck. After Hicks' interim solution, Richer finally took over the position behind the gang. This breathed new life into the HCP and the Bruneck team at least partially took revenge for the cup defeat by winning the Lega trophy. As a result, helpers and co. secured the home advantage in the final.

The “Buam” lead in a direct comparison Ritten and Pustertal know each other like the back of their hand. The two rivals met six times in the regular season alone. The balance of power clearly speaks in favor of the “Buam”. Apart from the first match in September (1:2), they remained unbeaten against their local rivals, plus the penalty victory in the Italian Cup. However, the tide turned in the two most recent post-season clashes: the Wolves won 3-2 and 2-1 in the games for the Lega Trophy. In a direct comparison, Ritten leads this season with 6:3 victories.

Both coaches can take full advantage Now, however, both teams are starting from scratch again. “All that has happened so far no longer counts. At this moment you no longer feel any aches and pains, the only thing that counts is victory,” explains Armin Helfer. All squad players are available to HC Pustertal anyway. Coach Richer will leave the line compositions unchanged and primarily rely on his parade block around David Ling, Giulio Scandella and Max Oberrauch. His counterpart Rob Wilson can even allow himself the luxury of sending a surplus transfer card player into the stands. Today it will meet David Urquhart. So the trainers can make full use of it. Both teams are in top form. The players are hot, and so are the fans. In short: let the finals begin!

Elite.A, 1st final game (“best of seven”) – Saturday, 19.30 p.m Fiat Professional Wolves – Ritten Sport Renault Trucks Referee: Metelka, Ferrini (Unterweger, Waldthaler)

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In Bruneck everything is prepared for the big finale

Today, at 19.30 p.m., the longed-for first puck drop will take place on the Rienzufer in the South Tyrolean duel for the championship title in the Elita.A. HC Pustertal and Ritten Sport tackle the best-of-seven series with the best line-up.

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