ATSE Graz keep play-off race exciting – Lustenau rout Dornbirn in derby

ATSE Graz claimed a narrow 3:2 victory over HDK Maribor in the Ö Eishockey Liga on Sunday afternoon and are now just two points behind the Slovenian Foxes in the battle for the final play-off spot in the East Division. In the West Division, EHC Lustenau defeated Dornbirner EC 9:2 in the Christmas derby in front of more than 1.800 fans at Dornbirn's Messestadion. The ÖEL resumes after a short break on 26 December.

22 December 20246 min read

Following the home defeat against Kapfenberg, ATSE Graz took on their partner city rivals HDK Maribor on Sunday afternoon. High tension was guaranteed before the opening face-off: for Graz, who reached the semi-finals last season, this match was already crucial to keeping their chances alive in the battle for the final play-off spot.

The visitors made the better start: following a turnover, Ian Fingušt raced into the offensive zone, sent ATSE defenceman Florian Angerbauer the wrong way and fired home an unstoppable shot to make it 1:0 after exactly six minutes of play (7.). It took the Eggenberg side a little while to get into the game. On their first power play, Maximilian Schwarz fired from the left face-off circle following a Peter Schneider-style pass and levelled the score at 1:1 (14.).

The hosts started the second period strongly: following a brief spell of pressure, the puck fell to the completely unmarked Clemens Lennkh, who spectacularly swept it home while falling after 61 seconds to make it 2:1 and give ATSE the lead for the first time (22.). As the game went on, the importance of the contest became evident in the play of both sides, with both teams becoming more nervous and frantic. There were repeated minor skirmishes.

Maribor's Gal Petek could not be calmed down after committing a foul, receiving four penalty minutes, plus a ten-minute misconduct penalty and a game misconduct. Head coach Markus Losch's team made the most of this phase, with Clemens Lennkh cutting in front of the net from the left and burying the puck to make it 3:1 (35.).

In the final period, Graz defended against the now surging Slovenians and killed off a penalty, during which Luca Rodiga even had a chance for a shorthanded goal. Maribor netminder Omar Ždralović made a superb save following the breakaway. After a superb pass from Nejc Voh, Aljaž Ogrizek went in alone on ATSE goaltender Paul Mocher, scored to make it 2:3 and set up a tense finish (54.).

Maribor took risks at the end and pulled their goaltender, but Paul Mocher held on to secure the narrow 3:2 victory for ATSE. Graz are now just two points behind the Slovenians, making the battle for the final play-off spot exciting once again.

West Division:

EHC Lustenau celebrate another rout of Dornbirner EC

The Dornbirner EC and West Division leaders EHC Lustenau contested the final Ö Eishockey Liga match before Christmas on Sunday, meeting in the Vorarlberg derby at the Messestadion. The Bulldogs had been comprehensively beaten by the Lions in their previous two local derbies, losing 0:7 on home ice and 0:10 away at the Rheinhalle.

After a brisk start in front of more than 1.800 fans, the favourites took a 1:0 lead following a face-off. Chris D’Alvise, who was to finish as player of the game with four goals, struck with a well-placed shot (9.). The Lions added to their lead, making it 2:0 on the power play. Dominic Haberl tucked the puck home from close range after an ideal feed from Martin Grabher Meier (12.). The Bulldogs then had two opportunities to get on the scoresheet on the power play, but failed to capitalise on either spell with the man advantage.

Lustenau made a lightning start to the second period. Martin Grabher Meier finished off the first attack following a pass from Chris D’Alvise to make it 3:0 after 19 seconds (21.). The league leaders were clearly superior and patiently waited for further chances. Chris D’Alvise scored beautifully from a tight angle to make it 4:0 (27.). On another power play, D’Alvise passed to Dominic Haberl, who extended the lead to 5:0 from close range (29.).

Just before the halfway point, Lucas Haberl fired from the left face-off circle to make it 6:0 (30.). Only 24 seconds later, Felix Zipperle completed a wonderful tic-tac-toe move to make it 7:0 (31.). Just 57 seconds after that, the score was 8:0 for head coach Dániel Fekete's team, with Chris D’Alvise scoring from close range (31.). Just under five minutes before the end of the period, D‘Alvise again scored on a 5:3 power play to make it 9:0 (35.).

In the final period, the visitors took the pace out of the game and comfortably saw out the comprehensive victory. The Bulldogs got on the scoresheet following a quick attack, with Tobias Metzler-Wagner scoring to make it 1:9 (52.). Dornbirn even added another goal, as Danny Madlener finished off a fine attack to make it 2:9, ensuring a more conciliatory final period from the hosts' perspective (58.).

Remaining Ö Eishockey Liga schedule in 2024

The Ö Eishockey Liga resumes immediately after Christmas. There is still plenty of action in Division West right up until the turn of the year; it could also be called the "Vorarlberg-Tyrol Series": six clashes between federal states are scheduled from 26 December to 29 December.

SC Hohenems face HC Kufstein on 26 December before rounding off the year away to the Wattens Penguins on 29 December, who will previously host league leaders EHC Lustenau on 27 December. EHC Crocodiles Kundl play Dornbirner EC on Boxing Day, before facing EHC Lustenau on 29 December. HC Kufstein conclude their ice hockey year at home against Dornbirner EC on 28 December.

In Division East, Wiener Eislauf-Verein travel to defending champions Kapfenberg on Boxing Day, before the Viennese side entertain UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden at home on 28 December.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division EAST:

ATSE Graz vs. HDK Maribor 3:2 (1:1,2:0,0:1)
Sun., 22 December 2024, 15:30, Merkur Eisstadion
ATSE Graz scorers: Maximilian Schwarz (13:17/PP1), Clemens Lennkh (21:01, 34:37/PP1)
HDK Maribor scorers: Ian Fingušt (06:00), Aljaž Ogrizek (53:36)

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. KSV Kängurus 4:1 (1:1,2:0,1:0)

Sat., 21 December 2024, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

Sharks Gmunden scorers: Mathias Haiböck (02:01), Laurens Ober (36:04), Elias Koller (36:25), Marc-André Dorion (50:48/PP1)

KSV Kängurus scorer: Kristof Reinthaler (04:41)

HDK Maribor vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein 2:5 (1:3,1:0,0:2)

Sat., 21 December 2024, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

HDK Maribor scorers: Danilo Tomašević (01:23, 20:18)

Wiener Eislauf-Verein scorers: Jan Billa (02:08, 17:00), Nils Granitz (18:19), Oscar Marchhart (42:17), Daniel Aschauer (46:22/PP1)

ATSE Graz vs. KSV Kängurus 3:5 (0:0,1:2,2:3)
Thu., 19 December 2024, 20:00, Merkur Eisstadion
Scorers for ATSE Graz: Clemens Lennkh (29:09 min., 50:25 min.), Nikolaus Zierer (46:01 min.)
Scorers for KSV Kängurus: Manuel Trost (35:45 min.), Lukas Winkler (39:03 min.), Lukas Draschkowitz (40:30 min.), Florian Hoppl (57:48 min.), Stefan Trost (58:08 min.)

Remaining Division East fixtures until the turn of the year:

KSV Kängurus vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Thu, 26 December 2024, 18:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Sat, 28 December 2024, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

Dornbirner EC vs. EHC Lustenau 2:9 (0:2,0:7,2:0)
Sun, 22 December 2024, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn
Scorers for Dornbirner EC: Tobias Metzler-Wagner (51:40 min.), Danny Madlener (57:25 min.)
Scorers for EHC Lustenau: Chris D’Alvise (08:28 min., 26:36 min., 30:59 min., 34:45 min./PP2), Dominic Haberl (11:37 min./PP1, 28:46 min./PP1), Martin Grabher Meier (20:19 min.), Lucas Haberl (29:38 min.), Felix Zipperle (30:02 min.)

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems 1:3 (0:2,1:1,0:0)
Fri, 20 December 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl
Scorer for EHC Crocodiles Kundl: Jakob Wetzelsberger (30:44 min.)
Scorers for SC Hohenems: Benjamin Kyllönen (03:56 min.), Johannes Hehle (15:39 min.), Fabian Mandlburger (36:15 min.)

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins 5:2 (1:0,4:1,0:1)
Fri, 20 December 2024, 19:45, Eisarena Kufstein
HC Kufstein goalscorers: Ethan Browne (00:57, 29:10, 30:53/PP1), Valentin Hammerle (22:34, 26:30)
Wattens Penguins goalscorers: Mario Schöser (21:30/PP1), Noah Polig (57:57)

Remaining Division West schedule until the turn of the year:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein

Thu, 26 December 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. Dornbirner EC

Thu, 26 December 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Lustenau

Fri, 27 December 2024, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

HC Kufstein vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat, 28 December 2024, 17:35, Eisarena Kufstein

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sun, 29 December 2024, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

EHC Lustenau vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl