Bruneck – On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, HC Falkensteiner Pustertal won its home game against the Pioneers Vorarlberg 3–1, earning three points in the win2day ICE Hockey League. The decisive goal for the home victory was scored by returnee Josh Wesley, who made his comeback in the black-and-yellow jersey after recovering from an injury.
An even first period; Wesley scores to take the lead
The game began with the visitors clearly having the better chances: In the 3rd minute, Stiegler hit the crossbar, and shortly afterward, Serdachny was denied by goalie Colin Furlong. As the game progressed, HC Pustertal took control but initially struggled to convert their chances. It wasn’t until the second period that the game was decided: After a shot by Purdeller, Wesley pushed the puck over the line to make it 1–0. Just two minutes later, Matthias Mantinger capitalized on a rebound off an assist from Lauridsen to make it 2–0. Shortly before the second intermission, Ben Summer narrowed the gap to 2–1 with a shot into the near top corner.
Bardreau seals the deal in the final period
In the third period, HC Pustertal continued to dominate play, but the Pioneers Vorarlberg kept the game exciting with dangerous counterattacks. Furlong made several difficult saves, including one on a shot by Stiegler. With two minutes remaining, the visitors pulled their goalie in favor of a sixth skater, but Cole Bardreau scored into the empty net on the 54th shot of the evening to seal the 3-1 final score. As announced by HC Pustertal, the team was still without the injured Pasquale, Rueschhoff, and Bowlby. The starting lineup also included 16-year-old Emiliano Sighel from the Alps Ice Academy. The Wolves are now heading to Hungary for a two-game road trip: On Saturday at 6:30 p.m., they’ll face Ferencvaros Budapest, and on Sunday at 4:00 p.m., they’ll play at the MET Arena in Székesfehérvár.
