The challenge between the Rittner Buam and HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice deserves to be considered a top match in any case. The historic Slovenian club has the best attack in the cross-border league scoring 67 goals in 16 games. The leader also has the best defense in the competition having conceded only 25 goals. In these statistics, the Rittner Buam are at the second place with 63 goals scored and 34 conceded in 15 matches. The best scorer among the Slovenians is Eric Pance with 30 points (9 goals) in 16 games, while Jesperi Viikila is the best scorer in the ranks of Jesenice with 10 goals. In the South Tyrolean team, the most prolific is MacGregor Sharp with 11 goals in 15 games.
"I expect a good and fast game, where we go to the point. In this league we have always had good performances against strong teams, even against Asiago or Lustenau. That's why I expect something, even we won't be at full rows. Spinell and Sailio will miss for sure. As far as Quinz and Eisath are concerned, on Monday night after the final training, coach Heiskanen will decide if they can be used. Lasse Uusivirta, on the other hand, should be back at our disposal", says Adolf Insam, sports director of the Rittner Buam.
This week the Rittner Buam will be busy once again in front of the home crowd. On Thursday, November 18, they will face the Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan at 8 pm. In this match they will not only be competing for points for the Alps Hockey League, but also important points for the final tournament of the Serie A. In the Italian championship at the moment the Rittner Buam are fourth, with eleven points in six games, but have played two games less than Merano (13 points) and Gherdëina (15). By getting three points against the Vipiteno Broncos, who have lost their last five away matches, the blue-reds could overtake Merano and gain ground in the Alps Hockey League. First, however, one must focus on Tuesday's important game against Jesenice.
Alps Hockey League 2021/22
Tuesday, November 16, 2021 - 8 pm, Ritten Arena
Rittner Buam - HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice
Thursday, November 18, 2021 - 8 pm, Ritten Arena
Rittner Buam - Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan
Ranking:
- HDD SIJ Acroni Jesenice 41 points/16 games
- Migross Supermarkets Asiago Hockey 39/17
- EHC Lustenau 34/17
- EK Die Zeller Eisbären 32/16
- Rittner Buam 31/15
- EC-KAC Future Team 29/21
- EC Bregenzerwald 28/15
- HC Gherdëina valgardena.it 27/16
- Red Bull Hockey Juniors 24/19
- HC Merano Pircher 23/15
- Wipptal Broncos Weihenstephan 19/13
- S.G. Cortina Hafro 19/16
- EC Die Adler Stadtwerke Kitzbühel 19/15
- Steel Wings Linz 17/15
- SHC Fassa Falcons 12/15
- BEMER VEU Feldkirch 8/16
- Vienna Capitals Silver 6/15
Credits: Max Pattis