Alps Hockey League, Gherdeina completes the work: first ever joy

HC Gherdeina writes a historic page in the Alps Hockey League. The Gardena lineup closes the series on 4-0 beating also in game-4 Merano (4-3 the score), at the end of an intense and full of twists and turns challenge, thus winning the first title in its history in the transnational championship that includes clubs from Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia.

In fact, it is Merano to start on the right foot, finding the lead after a few minutes thanks to Sherbinin, quick to rebound into the net a rejected puck. Gherdeina’s answer, however, came in the final of the first period when Vlastimil Dostalek, the playoffs’ top scorer, signed the 1-1 with a winning backhand. The inertia definitively shifted to the hosts’ side in the second half: again Dostalek, this time on a power play, completed the comeback, before the 3-1 sealed by Davide Schiavone at the end of a perfect counterattack orchestrated by Vozovik.

The guests have the merit of not stopping believing. Trivellato reopened the game in the third period, but Stephan Deluca immediately restored the double lead. Tomasini’s goal in the 51st minute lit up the final, but Gherdeina held on until the siren, imposing itself 4-3. For Merano, protagonist of an astonishing playoff ride after finishing 10th in the regular season, the honor of a great run remains, ending with the platonic title of vice-champion.

The success of Gherdeina (which in the days of the Italian league had won four Scudetti between 1969 and 1981) has a special value: it is the first time that a team coming from the pre‑playoffs conquers the title, it is only the second final series in the history of the league closed on 4-0 and it is the fifth title of an Italian club since the introduction of the tournament in 2016, after those of Renon (2017 and 2024) and Asiago (2018 and 2022). Gherdeina succeeds the Austrians of Zell am See, champions in 2025.