Zurich misses the start, Ingolstadt wins

At the opening of the Vinschgau Cup, fans at the completely sold-out IceForum Latsch were treated to a turbulent game. The ZSC Lions were defeated by ERC Ingolstadt after a disastrous start.

August 22, 2025

From: leo

Those who managed to secure a ticket for the Vinschgau Cup opening match on Friday evening saw ice hockey at its finest. On the one hand, the Champions League winners and Swiss champions Zurich, and on the other, the winners of last year's DEL regular season, Ingolstadt. Ultimately, the team led by South Tyrolean Peter Spornberger prevailed, although he was not selected that evening. On the other hand, Zurich's lineup included an Italian international, Alessandro Segafredo.

ZSC, led by superstar Dennis Malgin, completely slept off the mark, leading 14-4 after just 0 minutes. Riley Sheen, Edwin Tropmann, Philipp Krauß, and Myles Powell scored for the dominant Bayern. Zurich didn't get back into the game until the 18th minute, when Yannick Weber made it 1-4.

Ingolstadt stays cool

The traveling ZSC fans were hoping for a sensational comeback midway through the game, as Rudolfs Balcers and Jesper Fröden brought the Swiss back within a few minutes. Jakin Smallwood and Austen Keating then restored the three-goal lead before Thierry Bader sealed the final score of 4:6.

The fans from Ingolstadt and Zurich maintain a close friendship and performed a joint choreography at the start of the game. © am

The Vinschgau Cup continues on Saturday – then the local team, HC Pustertal, enters the tournament. The Wolves face the Straubing Tigers, who, like ERC Ingolstadt, play in the DEL, at 20 p.m.

Vinschgau Cup

ZSC Lions – ERC Ingolstadt 4:6
0:1 Sheen (5th), 0:2 Tropmann (9th), 0:3 Krauß (12th), 0:4 Powell (14th), 1:4 Weber (18th), 2:4 Balcers (21st), 3:4 Fröden (28th), 3:5 Smallwood (38th), 3:6 Keating (60th), 4:6 Bader (60th)

Keywords hockey Vinschgau Cup ZSC Lions ERC Ingolstadt