All to play for: huge anticipation ahead of the Ö Eishockey Liga semi-final second legs

From four to two. The finalists of the Ö Eishockey Liga 2022/2023 will be decided on Saturday. The play-offs have been a spectacle so far, featuring consistently exciting and attractive games. Now the semi-final second legs are next: Kapfenberger SV host SC Samina Hohenems 1974 at the Stadthalle Kapfenberg, with everything still open after the 4:4 draw in the first leg. The second semi-final between HC Kufstein and ESC SoccerZone Steindorf at the Eisarena Kufstein also promises huge excitement. Here, too, everything remains open in the second leg after Kufstein's narrow 5:4 win in Steindorf.

01 March 20235 min read

Following the thrilling and eventful 4:4 in the first leg, Kapfenberger SV and SC Samina Hohenems 1974 will battle for a place in the Ö Eishockey Liga final at the Stadthalle Kapfenberg on Saturday.

The Vorarlberg side led 3:1 at the Herrenriedstadion in the second period before the short-handed Kapfenberg side first levelled at 3:3 and even took a 4:3 lead in the final period. In the end, it finished in a 4:4 draw.

The Styrians are already familiar with this situation from the quarter-finals against VEU – the first leg ended 5:5 at the time, and the winner after 60 minutes, overtime or a penalty shoot-out will advance to the final.

The Kangaroos produced a tremendous battling performance in Vorarlberg, with five players, including player-coach Kris Reinthaler, absent away from home through illness. Stefan Trost, who was also ill, was additionally forced to withdraw in the second period. Goaltender Oliver Zirngast kept the Mürztal side in the game over the first 20 minutes despite a shot count of 4:15, before the shortened line-up secured a good position for the second leg.

SC Hohenems still have a score to settle with Kapfenberg from last year, when the team coached by head coach Bernd Schmidle, having been title contenders after a strong regular season and quarter-final, were beaten by Kapfenberg in the semi-finals by an aggregate score of 5:11.

A look at the Steinböcke's player statistics reveals that the two leading scorers from the regular season, Martin Grabher-Meier with 25 goals and Thomas Auer with 22 goals, have yet to score in the play-offs. Perhaps the two goal-getters have saved their ammunition for the second leg in Styria.

Patrick Huppmann, co-player-coach, Kapfenberger SV: "We showed character in Hohenems and demonstrated that we have a winning mentality. We are a team capable of compensating for absences such as those in Vorarlberg, and physically we are at a level where it is difficult to keep up with us. We hope that the players who are ill recover and will be available on Saturday. We need every single player to get the job done. At home, with the fans behind us as they were in the quarter-final against Feldkirch, we will reach the final – we will definitely manage it!"

Bernd Schmidle, head coach, SC Samina Hohenems 1974: "We started the first leg very well, but then allowed Kapfenberg to grow increasingly into the game. Although we played well at times, silly penalties and the opposition's very good power play unfortunately weakened us. However, the game in Kapfenberg starts again at 0:0, so both teams begin on equal terms. From the very first minute, we will again try to apply a great deal of pressure."

SF2: All to play for as Kufstein face Steindorf

HC HC Kufstein take a one-goal lead into the Ö Eishockey Liga semi-final second leg against ESC SoccerZone Steindorf. The first leg in Steindorf was an intense, fast-paced play-off game, which the Dragons narrowly won 5:4 with a strong final period.

Goal-getter David Hrazdira was unstoppable with three goals, and the Tyroleans gave themselves a good position for the home game at the Eisarena Kufstein, but everything remains open in this tie.

Kufstein experienced how quickly things can change in the Champions Hockey League format in their quarter-final tie against EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions. After their 4:2 away win in Styria, head coach Ivo Novotny's team trailed 0:3 in the home game, with the series threatening to turn. Two goals still in the second period put Kufstein back on course to progress after a prolonged scare.

Last Saturday, Steindorf were still 3:2 ahead after 40 minutes and engaged in an entertaining battle with the Dragons, once again underlining the appeal of the inter-regional playoffs. Head Coach Robert Moser's team know from last year just how quickly a return leg can turn into an ice hockey thriller.

They lost the home game against Kapfenberg 2:7. In the away game, the Ossiacher See players started as if stung by a tarantula and led 4:0 before the Kangaroos pulled back to 3:4. Anyone who thought the quarter-final was decided at that point was proved wrong by Steindorf. Suddenly, they pulled away again to 7:3 and were just one goal away from levelling the series. In the end, Kapfenberg advanced to the semi-finals.

Now it is a new season and a new opportunity. The Carinthians can expect a cauldron of an atmosphere in the fortress town, with around 1.000 fans once again driving the Dragons forward. The club officials led by Roland Luchner have proclaimed the "Mission 1.000" in order to break the 1.000-fan mark, as they did in the local derby against Kundl in November.

Steindorf levelled the Carinthian playoff final series against 1. EHC Althofen with a 3:2 win and must face the Rhinos again before Thursday’s return-leg blockbuster in Kufstein.

Ivo Novotny, Head Coach HC Kufstein:"The first leg was the difficult game we expected. Steindorf have incredible quality in their squad. Nevertheless, we managed to execute our game plan. The return leg will be a real mammoth task. But I hope the ill players will return, and with the support of a sold-out Kufstein Arena, it is certainly achievable. In any case, we are looking forward to the next hockey spectacle in Kufstein."

Robert Moser, Head Coach ESC SoccerZone Steindorf: "Due to our double workload, we are at a major disadvantage compared with Kufstein. We have played six games in the last 14 days and have also suffered a few absences because of this enormous intensity. Nevertheless, I am convinced that we will reach the final. Kufstein were the luckier, but not the better winners in Steindorf."

Playoff format

The semi-final match-ups will also be decided in Champions Hockey League (CHL) format, over a first and second leg. The club finishing higher after the regular season starts with the away game. The aggregate score from the two games played will be used. The team leading on aggregate after the first and second legs advances to the final. Should the aggregate score be level at the final buzzer after 120 minutes, the decision will be made in a ten-minute three-on-three overtime and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out with five shooters per team. This means there is no overtime in the first leg. Each first leg ends after 60 minutes either level or with a winner in regulation time.