2026 begins with a bang: EHC Kundl hand Lustenau their first defeat of the season

The EHC Kundl and EHC Lustenau ushered in the new year in the Division West on Friday. The Tyroleans and the Vorarlberg league leaders faced each other for the fourth and final time in the regular season. Lustenau were dominant in the opening period, with the Lions launching attack after attack, but Kundl were extremely solid defensively, with goaltender Jakub Kostelny providing security at the back.

After a scoreless first period, the hosts struck exactly 38 seconds into the second: Valentin Ploner made it 1:0 for EHC Kundl (21. min.). The match became more intense with every shift. The Vorarlberg side pressed for an equaliser, while the Tyroleans relied on counter-attacks and patiently waited for their chances. Following a face-off on the right side of the offensive zone, the puck came to Maximilian Mackner, who lifted it from close range under the crossbar and over Lustenau netminder Felix Beck, who was already down on the ice, to make it 2:0 just under four minutes before the end of the period (36. min.). Goaltender Kostelny continued to deny Lustenau until the second buzzer.

The hosts’ somewhat surprising two-goal lead after 40 minutes set up an exciting final period. Little changed in the nature of the game, with the visitors quickly able to establish themselves in the offensive zone. Following a shot, Kostelny made the save and Lucas Haberl converted the rebound from close range after just under two minutes to pull it back to 1:2 (43. min.).

Kundl then failed to restore their two-goal lead during two power plays, with the game long since entering crunch time. In the end, Lustenau had a power play and also pulled goaltender Felix Beck. They were unable to find the equaliser, however, as Kundl completed the sensation and handed the dominant West leaders their first defeat of the current campaign.

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein
Sat, 03 January 2026, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

On Saturday, SC Samina Hohenems face HC Kufstein for the fourth and final time in the regular season in the Division West. The Vorarlberg side lead the head-to-head series 2:1. The Ibex opened the season with a narrow 3:2 away win in Kufstein at the beginning of October, before the Skating Club prevailed 4:2 at home in early November. In mid-December, the Dragons won a genuine home thriller 7:4.

For both teams, the coming weeks will primarily be about fine-tuning for the playoffs. Hohenems have already secured qualification for the Ö Eishockey Liga knockout stage since last weekend, while for Kufstein, whose current lead over Wattens stands at twelve points, definitive playoff qualification is now only a matter of time.

Hohenems sporting director Matthias Fritz explains that his team must approach the match with focus in order to stand up to the in-form Dragons: "Kufstein come to us full of confidence after their derby win against Kundl and are in good form at the moment. That makes it all the more important that we raise our game again compared to our recent performances. There are important points at stake in the battle for second place, and we cannot afford to drop points on home ice. The focus is therefore clear: start intensely from the outset, play our game and show our strength at home!"

Kufstein sporting director Willi Lanz is optimistic ahead of the away match in the Ländle: "The team has delivered very good performances recently, and we will try to build on that away in Hohenems on Saturday. For us, it is about consolidating the stability and structure in our game. If we manage that this weekend, I am confident that we can take points away from the second-placed team too!"

Dornbirner EC Bulldogs vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Sun, 04 January 2026, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

For the fourth and final time this season, Dornbirner EC Bulldogs and WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins will cross sticks in the Division West on Sunday. The Tyroleans lead the head-to-head series 2:1. Dornbirn, who currently have only a theoretical chance of a play-off place with three points, won the opening game at the start of October 4:3.

In mid-November, the Unterinntal side won 6:3 against the Bulldogs in their first open-air home game. The match in mid-December was fiercely contested, with the Penguins prevailing 6:4 at home. After a poor start to the season, Wattens had worked their way back into the battle for a play-off place with three consecutive wins – including away victories in Kundl and Hohenems. The upcoming double-header will be pivotal in this respect, as the direct clash with EHC Kundl follows on the public holiday.

Wattens head coach Fabian Hechenberger sees the clash with Dornbirn as having a play-off feel: "We have made up the ice-time deficit, and the recent results clearly show that we are now performing. We found it very difficult against Dornbirn at home last time, we know that – even though we should have wrapped up the game early. That makes us even more focused going into this game. We absolutely want to win because we need the points in the play-off race. This game clearly has a play-off feel, we are fired up and fully prepared!"

EHC Lustenau vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Tue, 06 January 2026, 17:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau

For the third time this season, league leaders EHC Lustenau and SC Samina Hohenems will meet in the prestigious major Vorarlberg derby in the Division West on Tuesday. It is completely open who will celebrate in the top-of-the-table clash on Epiphany: both previous local derbies were exciting and fiercely contested. At the end of October, the Steinböcke came back from a 0:2 deficit in front of almost 1.500 fans at the Rheinhalle, but the Lions ultimately won 3:2 after a penalty shoot-out.

At the start of December, Lustenau were defensively strong away at Herrenried in front of another 1.500 fans and celebrated a 2:0 victory. While the hosts are looking to extend their impressive run of 14 wins, the Emser side are seeking to find their play-off form. The Schlittschuhclub had lost their way somewhat with three consecutive defeats in December, before the second-placed side returned to winning ways in the derby against Dornbirn.

For the third meeting, too, Lustenau head coach Dániel Fekete expects a fiercely contested game: "We expect Hohenems to do everything in their power to hand us our first defeat of the season and make the battle for top spot exciting again. However, we are well prepared and looking forward to this derby. Our aim is to put our stamp on the game. The spectators can look forward to a high-quality ice hockey game full of excitement and emotion. We will give everything to celebrate another home win!"

Hohenems sporting director Matthias Fritz wants his team to leave everything out there in the derby in order to take points from the Lions: "The Epiphany derby in Lustenau will be an enormous challenge. The opposition are still unbeaten and are among the strongest teams in the league for good reason. Nevertheless, we are not going there just to make up the numbers. We will invest everything, stand united as a team and do everything we can to cause an upset!"

HC Kufstein vs. Dornbirner EC Bulldogs
Tue, 06 January 2026, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein

Also for the third time this season, HC Kufstein and the Dornbirner EC Bulldogs for points. At the beginning of November, the Dragons left nothing to chance on the road at the Messestadion, winning 5:0. Kufstein were also assured in their second away game in the Ländle, claiming a 5:1 victory.

While qualification for the playoffs is now little more than a formality for the Tyroleans, who sit third in the standings, the quarter-finals will probably take place without the Bulldogs. Vorarlberg still have a slim mathematical chance, but are bottom of the table with just three points.

Kufstein sporting director Willi Lanz warns his team not to take the game against the Bulldogs lightly: "On paper, the starting position for our home game on Epiphany in Kufstein looks promising. Our focus will therefore certainly be on our own performance and implementing our system and tactics on the ice. It will be important not to be tempted by a look at the standings to take the game lightly. The playoffs are approaching rapidly and, with that in mind, we are concentrating on improving our game from match to match. Nevertheless, we naturally want to take all the points at home against Dornbirn!"

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Kundl
Tue, 06 January 2026, 19:30, Alpenstadion Wattens

The Lower Inn Valley derby in the Division West between the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins and EHC Kundl promises to be highly exciting on Tuesday. The third head-to-head meeting could provide an early indication in the battle for the final playoff spot, or make the contest even tighter.

The score is level after the two previous meetings: on World Savings Day, Kundl were not short of goals, and after two fiercely contested periods, EHC swept aside the Penguins with a 7:0 final period to win 9:1. At the beginning of December, Wattens celebrated an impressive 7:4 away victory, launching their fightback in the battle to qualify for the playoffs.

Most recently, the Penguins put up a strong fight at home against league leaders Lustenau and lost only 1:3. Kundl battled in the district derby against HC Kufstein and had to accept a narrow 2.3 defeat.

Fabian Hechenberger, Penguins head coach, knows that an enormously important game awaits his team on the holiday: "The game against Kundl is also about enormously important points for us. Kundl are a direct playoff rival, so the importance of this game is correspondingly high. Our development is on the right track, we have confidence and we know what is at stake. We will prepare specifically for our opponents and perform with the necessary intensity. Games like these are enjoyable and determine how the rest of the season unfolds – that is exactly what we are prepared for. Our goal is clear: we want to win this game too!"

Kundl chairman Stefan Rainer and his team know how important this game on Epiphany is: "It is always difficult away in Wattens, and the Wattens side know how to make the most of their home advantage. Pure Winter Classic feeling. Wattens have found their feet in the league better and better from game to game and have clearly shown in recent matches that they are absolutely capable of making the playoffs, most recently with their away win in Hohenems. We are prepared for Wattens and know exactly what is at stake. A game like the one at home against Wattens will not happen to us a second time!"

Division East:

ATSE Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sat, 03 January 2026, 18:30, Graz Merkur Eisstadion (Hall A)

The ATSE Graz begin the new year on Saturday in the Eastern Division at the Liebenauer Bunker against Wiener Eislauf-Verein. The two traditional clubs will meet for the fourth time this season, with all previous games having been close affairs: in mid-October, the Styrians celebrated a 3:1 home win. At the end of November, Graz prevailed 3:2 after a penalty shoot-out at Vienna's Heumarkt. Shortly before Christmas, Vienna won 3:2 in front of the Konzerthaus.

The match is a battle for third place in the standings. WEV are currently one point ahead of Graz, but have also played three fewer games. Last Saturday, hockey star Rafael Rotter made his comeback and his debut in the Ö Eishockey Liga for Vienna in the narrow 2:3 shoot-out defeat against Kapfenberg. ATSE head into the clash with the capital side on the back of the positive experience of their 4:3 penalty shoot-out win over leaders Gmunden.

ATSE head coach Markus Losch is expecting an exciting game: "Following the good results of the last two matches, we want to take maximum points from the next two as well. On Saturday against WEV, I am again expecting an exciting, fast game. WEV are also highly motivated, as this game is about third place in the standings. We will try to play on the attack again in order to score the goals at the right moments!"

WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich is hoping for a good start to the year: "Two difficult games await us again. We want to start the new year well. I hope my ill players return and that we can attack at full strength away in Graz and then at home against Gmunden on the public holiday!"

KSV Kängurus vs. HDK Maribor
Sat., 03 January 2026, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

The KSV Kängurus begin the new year with a home double-header at the weekend. On Saturday, the Mürz Valley side face HDK Maribor, followed on Sunday by the big clash against league leaders Sharks Gmunden. Kapfenberg have won all three previous meetings against the Foxes from Slovenia.

In mid-October, the Kängurus won 3:2 on home ice, while at the end of November, Kapfenberg prevailed 5:4 in the Drava city. Shortly before Christmas, the Kängurus won 4:2 at Ledna dvorana Maribor thanks to a strong second period. With a win, the Kängurus could draw level with leaders Sharks Gmunden in the standings ahead of Sunday's big showdown.

Maribor recently had to cancel and postpone their game against the Sharks because too few players were available for the line-up due to injuries and illness. A new date will follow.

Kapfenberg player-coach Kris Reinthaler and his team are already eager for the home run of games: "Naturally, we are really looking forward to being able to play in front of our own fans, in our own arena. The crucial phase has now begun for us, and we have come through the difficult period we had with the ice rink quite well. We were also able to get on the scoresheet away in Vienna in the old year and still win the game. Maribor are a dangerous opponent; they are very strong on the counter-attack. That means, especially in the first game of the new year after a short break, we have to be ready. Under no circumstances must we think it will now be easy because we are playing at home; we first have to earn that. And the game against Maribor is a good one for that. On 2 January, we have another training session in which we can discuss the final details and get ourselves back into the mood for playing after the New Year celebrations. Everyone will celebrate the new year accordingly; it is a time to spend with family and friends, and that is right. We must not sleepwalk through the game against Maribor; we have to start the new year fully alert!"

KSV Kängurus vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden
Sun., 04 January 2026, 17:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

The big clash of the long ice hockey weekend in the Eastern Division takes place on Sunday at Stadthalle Kapfenberg, when the KSV Kängurus league leaders UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden in the battle for first place. So far, there has only been one meeting between the two dominant teams in the East; in the season opener at the beginning of October, the Sharks from Lake Traun won 3:0 at the muki Arena.

The defending champions then celebrated eight consecutive wins. Most recently, the Upper Austrians have gone slightly off track: three days before Christmas, the Sharks, who are usually very strong at home, had to accept a 0:4 defeat to WEV, followed by a narrow 3:4 shoot-out loss away to ATSE Graz after Christmas.

After two defeats at the start of the season, Kapfenberg embarked on a run of eight consecutive wins. Even a three-week enforced break due to a technical fault at the Kapfenberg ice rink could not stop the 2024 champions. Most recently, they claimed a narrow 3:2 shoot-out win at WEV.

Kapfenberg player-coach Kris Reinthaler and his team want to avenge their defeat at Lake Traun: "And then, the very next day, comes the top game in our division. We want to overtake Gmunden, and that clearly requires a win. We expect the Sharks to again field a top-strength line-up against us, but that is how it should be. We already played quite well in the first game against the Sharks, which we played away from home; our finishing let us down, which is why we ended up losing 0:3 quite clearly. But I am confident that we are now ready to score the important goals and also be disciplined at the back so that we do not concede any silly goals. I hope we can also field a full team, but around Christmas you never know who might pick up an illness, where or when. Of course, I hope that will not be the case for us and that we can really get going!"

Sharks Gmunden head coach Gregor Baumgartner is looking forward to the challenge and the series against the Kangaroos: "Over the next few weeks, we have four games against Kapfenberg and need to show our best game. Kapfenberg have a very experienced team that is particularly dangerous offensively!"

HDK Maribor vs. ATSE Graz
Tue, 06 January 2026, 18:30, Ledna dvorana Maribor

The HDK Maribor face ATSE Graz in the Styrian derby between the twin towns after their game against Kapfenberg on the public holiday. Going into the weekend, the Slovenians trail Graz by 13 points in the standings, and in their difficult second year, the Foxes' play-off hopes are effectively over. Theoretically and mathematically, the team from the Drava city still have a chance, but that would require a winning streak that is unrealistic given the course of the season so far.

Graz lead 2:1 in the three meetings so far this season. At the end of October, Hokejsko Drsalni Klub narrowly won 2:1 at home, after which tempers flared and penalties rained down. The second meeting went to ATSE by 3:1. Shortly before Christmas, Eggenberg celebrated a 10:1 rout; despite the clear result, there were again numerous penalty minutes in a heated game.

ATSE head coach Markus Losch knows how difficult away games in Maribor are: "After the penalty-filled game against Maribor in Graz, the game in Maribor on Epiphany will certainly be a very intense one. Playing in Slovenia is always difficult because the Foxes are able to make clear use of their home advantage. However, we will remain true to our approach and try to move the puck forward quickly in order to put the Slovenian goalie under pressure. If we can score goals again, there should be nothing standing in the way of a win!"

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden
Tue, 06 January 2026, 19:00, WEV Arena, Heumarkt

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein welcome on Epiphany UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden in the atmospheric WEV Arena at Heumarkt, in front of the Vienna Konzerthaus, for their fourth meeting of the season.

At the end of October, the reigning champions from Upper Austria celebrated a narrow 2:1 win at the Steffl Arena 3. The match at Lake Traun at the end of November was also fiercely contested, with the Sharks only sealing the 3:1 victory eight seconds from the end through an empty-net goal by Ian Motil. Three days before Christmas Eve, Vienna made a real statement with a clear 4:0 away win in Gmunden.

Last Saturday, Vienna suffered a 2:3 shootout defeat against Kapfenberg in ice hockey star Rafael Rotter's ÖEL debut. The defending champions, who had been so dominant with nine consecutive wins before their defeat against WEV, suffered a 3:4 shootout loss at ATSE Graz after Christmas.

WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich is hoping for a good start to the year: "Two difficult games await us once again. We want to start the new year well, I hope my ill players return and that we can go all out again away in Graz and then at home against Gmunden on the public holiday!"

Gregor Baumgartner, head coach of the Sharks Gmunden, wants his team to make amends for the home defeat against Vienna at the open-air spectacle: "We are looking forward to the game at Heumarkt, although WEV are a strong opponent and it will certainly be a very intense game. The defeat at home was bitter and we definitely want to be better prepared for WEV!"

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

EHC Kundl vs. EHC Lustenau 2:1 (0:0,2:0,0:1)
Fri, 02 January 2026, 19:30 pm, Eisarena Kundl
EHC Kundl goalscorers: Valentin Ploner (at 20:38), Maximilian Mackner (at 35:55)
EHC Lustenau goalscorer: Lucas Haberl (at 42:10)

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein
Sat, 03 January 2026, 17:30 pm, Eisstadion Hohenems - >> to the livestream

Dornbirner EC Bulldogs vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Sun, 04 January 2026, 17:30 pm, Messestadion Dornbirn - >> to the livestream

EHC Lustenau vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Tue, 06 January 2026, 17:30 pm, Rheinhalle Lustenau - >> to the livestream

HC Kufstein vs. Dornbirner EC Bulldogs
Tue, 06 January 2026, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein - >> Watch the livestream

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Kundl
Tue, 06 January 2026, 19:30, Alpenstadion Wattens - >> Watch the livestream

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division EAST:

ATSE Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sat, 03 January 2026, 18:30, Graz Merkur Eisstadion (Hall A) - >> Watch the livestream

KSV Kängurus vs. HDK Maribor
Sat, 03 January 2026, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg - >> Watch the livestream

KSV Kängurus vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden
Sun, 04 January 2026, 17:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg - >> Watch the livestream

HDK Maribor vs. ATSE Graz
Tue, 06 January 2026, 18:30, Ledna dvorana Maribor >> Watch the livestream

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden
Tue, 06 January 2026, 19:00, WEV Arena Heumarkt - >> Watch the livestream

Ö Eishockey Liga format 2025/2026

The Ö Eishockey Liga began the new season with its first matchday on 4 October 2025. In its fifth year, the format will change in Phase 1 for the two divisions: West with six teams and East with five teams. In the East Division, the coming season will feature two-and-a-half home-and-away rounds, resulting in 20 games per team. In the West Division, as in the previous season, two home-and-away rounds will be played, also resulting in 20 games per team.

After Phase 1, an inter-regional play-off will once again take place, beginning with the quarter-finals on 07 February 2026. The play-off pick after the regular season will again provide added excitement in the coming campaign. The highest-placed team in each of the West and East Divisions may choose its quarter-final opponent from the team placed third or fourth in the other division. From the quarter-finals through the semi-finals to the final, the play-off match-ups will each be decided in a best-of-three series (H/A/H) from the coming season onwards.

All standings, statistics and schedules for the Ö Eishockey Liga in the Game Centre

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