ATSE Graz vs. WEV cancelled – SC Hohenems main­tains unbeaten record against Kundl and VEU

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz – cancelled due to the weather – new date to follow

The open-air classics in front of the Wiener Konzerthaus have so far been genuine ice hockey spectacles featuring exciting and intense clashes.

The situation ahead of the next ice hockey festival under Vienna's open sky is clear: Wiener Eislauf-Verein will defend second place in the table against ATSE Graz, while the Styrians are seeking revenge for the 2:3 shoot-out defeat in their last game at Heumarkt.

Veteran Philippe Lakos scored the decisive penalty in the shoot-out to earn WEV an important bonus point.

WEV Head Coach Mario Kubeczka is confident in his team after the latest training sessions: "We host ATSE on Saturday and travel to face the Dukes on Sunday. It will be a tough task. We trained over the holidays and will give everything to move one step closer to qualifying for the playoffs. I am convinced that my team will achieve that. Discipline, clinical finishing and our team spirit will help us!"

Markus Losch, Head Coach of ATSE Graz, is aware of the significance of this game, particularly with regard to qualifying for the playoffs: "After the turn of the year and the short break, the team is looking forward to games again in January. The last game at Heumarkt went to WEV in a shoot-out. It is always difficult to play at Heumarkt, but we have tried to prepare for it as best we can and hope for revenge. January will be crucial in terms of the table. Every game could now be decisive in securing a playoff place. We therefore have to start the first game of the new year fully focused and motivated!"

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. UHT Dukes Graz
Sat., 06 January 2024, 19:45, Aichfeldhalle

The EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions are currently fourth in the East Division standings and therefore occupy a playoff place. The home game against UHT Dukes Graz – currently bottom of the table and just four points behind the Lions – is potentially decisive in the battle to qualify for the playoffs. The Murtal side have won the previous two meetings 5:4 and 4:1.

Christian Mayerl, chairman of EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions underlines the importance of this weekend: "‘Back-to-back’ with the Christmas break in between! It is the Dukes again, and anyone who can read the table knows that every game will be decisive for the playoffs. The gaps are too close and the outcomes too uncertain. We are right in the middle of crunch time and, of course, want to increase the gap to the teams behind us, especially as the double-header against Gmunden awaits next week. For every team, it really means: losing is not an option!"

Kapfenberger SV vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden
Sat., 06 January 2024, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

For the league leaders Kapfenberger SV are looking toUEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden to defend their perfect record in the home game against them – so far, the Kangaroos are the only Ö Eishockey Liga team to have won all of their games after 60 minutes.

For the Upper Austrians, meanwhile, the points are extremely important in order to remain in the play-off race. While the first meeting of the season went clearly to the Mürztal side by 7:1, the Sharks from the Traunsee pushed the Upper Styrians all the way in the last direct duel before Christmas, a 2:3 defeat in Kapfenberg. Only ATSE Graz managed to challenge Kapfenberg in a similar way two days before Christmas.

Kapfenberg player-coach Kris Reinthaler rates the Sharks from the Traunsee as a strong team and knows how to beat them: "The last game against Gmunden was more than close; it went our team’s way in the final few minutes. We should definitely be warned now that Gmunden can be a very good opponent if we do not play our game. They are very strong defensively and have two very good goaltenders who made life very difficult for us. For us, it means getting out from the back more directly, getting everything to the net, converting our chances and shutting things down at the back."

Sharks Gmunden head coach Gregor Baumgartner wants to push the Kangaroos all the way again: "In Kapfenberg, it is important to be disciplined defensively and deliver a strong battling performance. We did that well in the last meeting. We will travel there with a positive attitude again and give our best!"

UHT Dukes Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sun., 07 January 2024, at 18:00, Graz Merkur Eisstadion – Hall B

For theUHT Dukes Graz following the away game against Zeltweg on Sunday, the home game againstWiener Eislauf-Verein is also on the schedule. Two games that could be decisive in the battle to reach the play-offs. The Dukes need points to remain in contention for fourth place.

The Dukes made the most of the Christmas holidays, playing an international friendly against EC Harzer Falken in Germany on Boxing Day in front of an incredibly atmospheric crowd, thereby representing the Ö Eishockey Liga very well abroad.

For Dukes player-coach Jurica Bednjanec, the game marked a return to his former stomping ground at the Wurmbergstadion. In the 2008/2009 season, Bednjanec played for the then Harzer Wölfe, recording nine goals and nine assists in 24 games.

Division West:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Fri., 05 January 2024, at 19:00, Eisstadion Hohenems

SC Samina Hohenems vs. VEU Feldkirch
Sat., 06 January 2024, at 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

The Division West leaders begin with a home double-headerSC Samina Hohenems into 2024. On Friday, they face EHC Crocodiles Kundl at the Eisstadion Hohenems – also known as the Herrenriedstadion – before the big Vorarlberg derby against VEU Feldkirch on Saturday.

The Crocodiles from Kundl rounded off 2023 with a hockey thriller in the derby against HC Kufstein, with Head Coach Jaroslav Betka's team coming back from a 1:4 deficit to win 7:4.

Hohenems Head Coach Thomas Sticha praises opponents Kundl, but wants to extend his team's winning run: "Kundl did not make as strong a start to the season as expected. However, they have now found their feet, are on the up and playing very good hockey – as Kufstein found out before the turn of the year. Kundl have depth and also bring the necessary experience to turn games around or hold on to narrow leads. Naturally, we want to continue our run and not drop any points at home."

The derby against VEU Feldkirch is always something special for Sticha, having been their coach until last season: "Naturally, I am looking forward to the game against VEU, as I will see many familiar faces. Feldkirch are always a challenging opponent, with their mix of older and younger, technically skilled players. None of the games so far has been a straightforward affair. But with our experience and the skills in our deep squad, we naturally have enough potential to keep the points here."

Gerhard Maier – chairman of EHC Crocodiles Kundl – is hoping to add points in the Ländle: "If we can reproduce the performance from the game against Kufstein, there should be something to take from Hohenems too. Besides, the league leaders are due a defeat!"

HC Kufstein vs. Dornbirner EC
Sat., 06 January 2024, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein

For the second-placed team in the Division West, HC Kufstein begin the new year against Dornbirner EC. In the West, the play-off places have already been decided early, and the remaining regular-season games are a good opportunity for the four play-off teams to get into shape for the interregional quarter-finals.

The Dragons currently trail leaders SC Hohenems by five points and, before the turn of the year, suffered a 4:7 defeat in the district derby against EHC Crocodiles Kundl after leading 4:1. The Dornbirn Bulldogs are still chasing their first point and first win in the Ö Eishockey Liga.

Kufstein sporting director Willi Lanz expects the team to respond to the derby defeat against Kundl when they face the Bulldogs: "We need to be fully focused in order to beat Dornbirn. On Friday, we saw how quickly things can turn when you feel too secure. I expect the team to show a clear response to last weekend's collective total failure."

Ö Eishockey Liga – Division East:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz – cancelled due to weather – new date to follow

Kapfenberger SV vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 06 January 2024, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. UHT Dukes Graz
Sat, 06 January 2024, 19:45, Aichfeldhalle

UHT Dukes Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sun, 07 January 2024, 18:00, Graz Merkur Eisstadion - Halle B

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Fri, 05 January 2024, 19:00, Eisstadion Hohenems

HC Kufstein vs. Dornbirner EC
Sat, 06 January 2024, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein

SC Samina Hohenems vs. VEU Feldkirch
Sat, 06 January 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

All Ö Eishockey Liga tables, statistics and fixtures in the Gamecentre

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