South Tyrolean derby marked by failures – HCB plays in Piedmont

However, both teams have to tackle the South Tyrolean derby without their respective captains. While Ingemar Gruber is unavailable at Ritten due to a muscle strain, HCP coach Stefan Mair is missing several top performers alongside the suspended captain Thomas Pichler. Tommi Nikkilä will be unavailable for several weeks due to a torn collateral ligament in his knee. While the Bruneck club management tries to find a replacement, the recently convincing Thomas Commisso from the farm team partner Kaltern will look after the case. A use for the ailing Joe Cullen seems just as unlikely as the comeback of storm colleague Thomas Erlacher.

Despite the long list of injuries, HC Pustertal would like to further extend their lead in the table on Saturday. However, this is likely to be an extremely difficult undertaking in the Arena Ritten, which will probably be sold out, especially since the home team have won all of the last six championship games and have recently received an additional boost through the engagement of coach Bruno Aegerter.

HC Bozen wants to find its old strength against Valpellice After the disappointing performance in the home defeat against Fassa, HC Bozen wants to build on the performance from the derby victory in Bruneck and return to winning ways as soon as possible. On Saturday evening, however, the record champions face the difficult away hurdle Valpellice. The Piedmontese have recently lost ground in the table, but are still among the most unpleasant opponents in the league.

While the direct comparison with 32 wins in 39 meetings clearly speaks in favor of the HCB, the duels so far this season have mostly been very even and characterized by combative play. Only in the last duel at the beginning of December did Bolzano clearly retain the upper hand 6-0. Valpellice won the first game 5-3 in the Bolzano ice wave, while in the second encounter Alexander Egger and Co. prevailed 2-1 in extra time.

On Saturday, HC Bozen will try to build on their positive balance and at the same time gain a huge dose of self-confidence before Thursday's derby against Ritten. In addition, the HCB cracks have made it their mission to regain second place in the table. However, coach Adolf Insam has to do without Christian Walcher and Mika Lehtinen again in Torre Pellice. The latter will probably be available again on the next matchday against the local rivals from the Ritten plateau.

The fifth-placed team from Valpellice, on the other hand, complains about the absence of Trevor Johnson. The former HCB defender injured his knee in the game against Asiago and is expected to miss the rest of the regular season. Nevertheless, “Valpe” is aiming to make amends for the defeat in Brunico on the previous matchday against Bolzano.

This is how Valpellice and Bozen will play (Cotta Morandini Stadium in Torre Pellice - Saturday, January 8, 2011, 20:30 p.m.)

Arce Valpellice: Kevin Regan (Andrea Rivoira); Mitch Ganzak, Aries Saviels, Ryan Martinelli, Florian Runer, Luca Rivoira; Luciano Aquino, Ryan McDonough, Anthony Aquino, Alex Nikiforuk, Pat Iannone, Marco Pozzi, Luca Frigo, Alex Silva, Pietro Canale. Coach: Barry Martinelli

HC Interspar Bozen: Matt Zaba (Guenther Hell); Alex Egger, Rosario Ruggeri, Christian Borgatello, David Ceresa, Michael Busto, Luca Franza; Colton Fretter, Danny Irmen, Giulio Scandella, Nick Mazzolini, Marco Insam, Rhett Gordon, Enrico Dorigatti, Mike Souza, Stefan Zisser, Anton Bernard, Paolo Widmann. Coach: Adolf Insam

Referee: Giancarlo Bosio and Fabio Lottaroli (Pier Lorenzo Chiodo, Andrea Moschen)

The 36rd matchday at a glance: Arce Valpellice – HC Interspar Bozen Ritten Sport Renault Trucks – HC Pustertal Aquile Pontebba – Supermercati Migross Asiago SG Cortina De Vilmont – Tegola Canadese Alleghe Free to play: HC Fassa

The table after 35 championship rounds: 1. HC Pustertal 71 points 2. Ritten Sport Renault Trucks 62 3. HC Interspar Bozen 60 4. Supermercati Migross Asiago 54 5. HC Valpellice Arce 52 6. Aquile Pontebba 34 7. SHC Fassa 32 (+1 game) 8. Tegola Canadese Alleghe 30 9. SG Cortina 25

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South Tyrolean derby marked by failures – HCB plays in Piedmont

On Saturday, the 36th matchday and thus the final matches of the second half of the season will be played in the top ice hockey league. The local fans can look forward to a special treat: leaders HC Pustertal and second-placed Ritten Sport will meet in Klobenstein.

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