Bolzano fights bravely, but loses dramatically against Red Bull Salzburg!

Bolzano fights bravely, but loses dramatically against Red Bull Salzburg!

The first league game of the new ice hockey season could not begin better for the fans of HCB South Tyrol Alperia, but in the end the team from Bolzano in the home stadium of the Sparkasse Arena had to surrender to the Red Bull Salzburg force. On September 12, 2025, after an exciting duel it was 3: 4 from the host's perspective. Around 3,000 spectators experienced a game that remained rousing until the last second and aroused a lot of emotions.

The game immediately picked up speed: Cole Schneider brought Bolzano 1-0 in the 10th minute and ensured cheering faces in the ranks of the home fans. But the joy did not last long, because in the 22nd minute Travis St. Denis equalized for the Red Bulls. The game was characterized by gripping duels and quick moves, and so Salzburg was already 2-1 in the lead in the 26th minute with a goal by Lucas Thaler. Adrian Geson even increased to 3: 1 before Luca Frigo shortened to 2: 3 in the 36th minute. In the final third it was again Travis St. Denis, who scored the fourth goal for Salzburg in the 49th minute. Mark Barberios late answer in the 56th minute was unfortunately too late to force the balance, and Bolzano had to give up despite good chances.

The first results of the new season

The start of the new season in the ICE Hockey League already shows clear conditions. The HC Pustertal prevailed 8-1 against HC Innsbruck, while Villacher SV went 4-2 against Ferencvaros Budapest as the winner. Further results are the clear 4-0 victory of EC KAC against AV Fehervar and the 5-2 victory of the Black Wings Linz against the Pioneers Vorarlberg and the impressive 8: 1 success of Olimpija Ljubljana via the Vienna Capitals.

• HC Pustertal – HC Innsbruck: 8:1
• Ferencvaros Budapest – Villacher SV: 2:4
• EC KAC – AV Fehervar: 4:0
• Black Wings Linz – Pioneers Vorarlberg: 5:2
• Olimpija Ljubljana – Vienna Capitals: 8:1

The table after the first games shows HC Pustertal and Olimpija Ljubljana at the top with 10 points each, while HCB South Tyrol, after the first bankruptcy, is currently without points.

View of the teams

This season is particularly exciting because both Red Bulls and HCB South Tyrol go into their 13th season together with new heads. Kurt Kleinendorst, an experienced trainer with NHL past, took over the rudder and replaced Glen Hanlon. His team has changed a lot this season: ten players left the club, including Mike Halmo and Braden Christoffer, while eight new talents, including Shane Gersich. Salzburg also brings a breath of fresh air to the team with four new players, which includes Connor Corcoran, Devante Stephens, Michael Raffl and the already mentioned Travis St. Denis.

In the new season, the teams hope for an exciting further development and lots of gripping games. For HCB South Tyrol, the next duel is already pending if you meet Vorarlberg in a week. The fans are excited to see whether the team can recover from the opening defeat and score the first points of the season.