Kitzbuhel — Vipiteno Broncos: 8:3, Alps Hockey League

Kitzbühel put eight past Vipiteno Broncos in the Alpine Hockey League on Wednesday evening, a result that settles nothing but says something about where the hosts see themselves going. The final score reads 8:3, and the gap between the two sides was wider than the table suggests at this stage of the campaign.

Both clubs sit on zero points after just three and two games respectively, so the standings tell us precisely nothing. What matters is that Kitzbühel extended their unbeaten run to three matches, while Vipiteno's away form has been inconsistent from the outset.

We had called for the home side before kick-off, placing 58 per cent on Kitzbühel to get over the line. They did, and not by accident — the visitors were second to everything in the first period, which is how you concede four goals before the clock hits twenty minutes.

Kitzbühel's recent record shows a team that can score freely when it clicks, a seven-two win over Unterland standing out among the losses. Vipiteno brought a different profile, a six-five thriller against Gherdëina the only bright spot in what has been a difficult start.

The visitors pulled one back late to make it look respectable, but by then the match had been decided. Kitzbühel will make life awkward for anyone who tries to keep them quiet at home this season.