A hot evening on cold ice
This time it's all about ice hockey. We are live at an ice hockey game in Bruneck, which keeps players and fans on the edge of their seats until the very end with dramatic scenes and surprising twists and turns. And we get to interview a player from HC Pustertal and find out how a Canadian from the province of Ontario likes it in the South Tyrolean Pustertal.
Fans of all ages can't wait for the game to begin.
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The kick-off or throw-in is called a face-off in ice hockey.
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The Intercable Arena is sold out for the derby.
Internet ConsultingSouth Tyrolean ice hockey derby
On this Friday evening in December, the atmosphere in the Intercable Arena in Bruneck is tense with anticipation even before the game begins, leaving no one cold. At the South Tyrolean derby between the "Wolves" of HC Pustertal and the "Foxes" of HC Bozen (HCB Südtirol Alperia) in the ICE Hockey League, the stadium is filled to the last seat with 3104 spectators and is completely sold out.
In the transnational ICEHL, 13 teams from Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Hungary compete for the title. This means that there are many high-class and exciting games, but the derby is certainly one of the most emotional of its kind.
Shortly before and after the start of the game, the HC Pustertal fan scene in the famous Rienzkurve is covered by a huge banner in the club colours yellow and black. The fans of the HC Bozen fans in white and red are also represented in large numbers, but in terms of colour, yellow and black clearly dominate the Intercable Arena in Bruneck even after the "unveiling" of the Rienzkurve.
At the start of the match, the Rienzkurve is still covered with a huge yellow and black banner.
Internet ConsultingThe music is blaring from the loudspeakers in the ice rink and commentator Patrick Kirchler, better known as "Patza", is fuelling the atmosphere even more. Then it finally starts, and although we are only spectators, we feel very close to the action on the ice: the boards rattle again and again, and soon the first goal is scored. Rick Schofield puts HC Pustertal into the lead in the 9th minute.
The fans in the Rienzkurve hold up flags for "their" Wolves.
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The players on the bench also follow the game with excitement.
Internet ConsultingCanadian centre-forward
And for all those who still don't know how the derby turned out, we'll heighten the suspense a little and tell you a little more about the scorer with the number 23: A few days before the game, we had the pleasure of meeting Rick Schofield for an interview. The 36-year-old centre (centre forward) joined the HC Pustertal squad this season and, at 188 cm and 86 kg, is an imposing figure even without his bulky protective gear.
Adam (in the centre) from our blog team meets with Rick Schofield (left) and Michael Ranalter (Head of Office & Communication at the HC Pustertal).
Internet ConsultingThe Canadian felt at home on the ice from a very early age and started playing in the Canadian House League at the age of 6. From the age of 14, he trained really hard and finally started a professional career after completing his studies.
After gaining initial experience in the American Hockey League, Rick Schofield moved to HC Bozen in Europe. It was a successful debut: Rick Schofield won the championship with the ice hockey club from the South Tyrolean capital in his debut season.
Rick then played in Austria and Germany before returning to South Tyrol. Since this summer, the Canadian has been living in a village near Bruneck with his wife Megan, his two young daughters and a golden retriever.
Life in Pustertal
Rick tells us that he and his family feel very much at home in Pustertal: They have already explored the alpine landscape on numerous hikes and have also taken the odd refreshing dip in a mountain lake.
Rick Schofield (No.23) feels at ease at the HC Pustertal.
Internet ConsultingUnfortunately, the striker is not allowed to ski during the playing season, but his older daughter will take skiing lessons in winter. Rick is also a fan of South Tyrolean cuisine – he particularly likes dumplings with speck – and South Tyrolean wines.
Rick, who not only gives his best in the derby, is also doing very well professionally. The manageable size of the town of Bruneck ensures a pleasant family atmosphere between fans and players.
Rick wants to improve his German even further: He already understands German quite well and is now endeavouring to speak it more. The only thing he doesn't want to change is his swearing: That simply works best in his mother tongue, English.
Tension until the end
But back to the derby. After the first period, it's already 2:0 in favour of the Wolves. The stadium goes wild: drums are beating, "Puschtra zi sein" (to be Pustertal) is sung and shouted over and over again. But the 2:1 in the 2nd period with the Foxes doubly short-handed (HC Bozen only has three outfield players on the ice) heralds the turning point and dampens the enthusiasm in the Rienzkurve. After the 2:2 in the 3rd period, the fans of HC Pustertal are once again in top form and cheer on the Wolves loudly. The game went into overtime at 2:2, and in the end the Wolves lost 3-2 to the Foxes.
In the spirit of fair play, Wolves and Foxes shake hands after the game.
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The joy of the players and fans of HC Bozen after the victory is enormous.
Internet ConsultingOf course the Wolves fans, and we are disappointed that HC Pustertal didn't win this derby after a promising start, but the game was an exciting experience even without the desired result. Want to see more thrilling scenes from this derby evening? Then watch the video below!
Exciting South Tyrolean ice hockey derby in the Intercable Arena in Bruneck between HC Pustertal and HC Bozen.
The winner of the game played during the break can hope for a voucher.
Internet ConsultingA hockey evening at the Intercable Arena in Bruneck is also recommended for all those who are not (yet) ice hockey fans: The atmosphere with singing and cheering, with intermission entertainment and kiss-cam, with pizza and hotdogs, with beer and mulled apple mix is a unique and exciting experience that the whole family will enjoy.
For those who have never heard of the bully or icing, we recommend that you familiarise yourself with the basic rules and concepts of ice hockey before your first visit to the stadium. In our opinion, a hockey evening is only half as much fun without any basic knowledge of ice hockey. Ice hockey is not only a very physical sport, but also a fast-paced one. But don't worry – ice hockey isn't that complicated, and at the end of this article you'll find a little basic guide.
Ice hockey is the fastest team sport in the world.
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Rufus, the Wolves' mascot, is particularly popular with young ice hockey fans.
Internet ConsultingFun on the ice
Opened in 2021, the Intercable Arena is a really cool ice hockey stadium with state-of-the-art technology. It's not only worth a visit to watch HC Pustertal play a home game, but you can also take to the ice yourself.
In December, there will be public skating on 2 afternoons and the popular DISCO ON ICE on 5 evenings from 8 pm to 11 pm, where colourful lighting effects and great music ensure a good atmosphere. You can hire skates and helmets in the arena, and the GOWEST.Bar.Restaurant.Sports daytime bistro is open daily from 10 am to midnight. In the arena's fan shop, you can buy Rufus the mascot as a soft toy and other HCP fan merchandise, as well as ice hockey equipment.
The game is also played with full commitment behind the goal.
Internet ConsultingBasic guide to ice hockey
In ice hockey, there are usually 2 teams of 6 players on the ice: 3 forwards, 2 defencemen and 1 goalkeeper. In total, a team consists of around 20 players and 2 goalkeepers. There are several lines in the squad for both forwards and defencemen: the players in a line are usually substituted at the same time so that the outfield players have fixed partners.
There is a face-off at the start of the game and after every stoppage in play: this is the name of the face-off in which players fight for possession of the puck. The aim is to score a goal when in possession of the puck or to take the puck away from the opponent, e.g. with physical action in the form of body checks.
The referees wear a black and white striped shirt.
Internet ConsultingIn the event of an offence, the player serves a penalty time on the bench. The normal penalty time is 2 minutes and allows the opposing team an overtime situation (power play) in which they can score a goal more easily. If the opposing team scores a goal, the penalty time ends automatically. In ice hockey, players can be substituted as often as required.
A game lasts 3 times 20 minutes. There is a 15-minute break after the 1st and 2nd period. Every time the game is interrupted – e.g. after a foul or an unauthorised long-range shot (icing) – the time is stopped so that a hockey game usually lasts 2 to 2.5 hours. The winner is the team that has scored more goals after the 3rd period. In the event of a draw, the game goes into extra time (overtime): Whoever then scores the 1st goal is the winner. If no goal is scored in overtime, a penalty shoot-out is held. During the games, 2 referees and 2 linesmen monitor compliance with the rules.
