Block­buster: Hohenems host HC Kufstein – Kapfen­berg face WEV in top clash

Dornbirner EC vs. VEU Feldkirch

Wed, 08 November 2023, 19:30, Messestadion

The Vorarlberg derby between league newcomers Dornbirner EC and VEU Feldkirch on Wednesday at Messestadion Dornbirn heralds an exciting and attractive week of ice hockey in the Ö Eishockey Liga. 

Dornbirn – the league's youngest team, with an average squad age of 19 – have had to acknowledge the strength of the Ö Eishockey Liga in their first six matches. However, Head Coach Pavel Takac's team have already shown flashes of their talent at times: the Bulldogs led 3:0 against VEU in the last derby, before the Montfort city side stepped up and turned the game in their favour. 

At the start of the season, VEU had clearly won the local derby against Dornbirn 10:3. Dornbirn also held their own for a long time in their most recent match against league leaders HC Kufstein, before the Tyroleans pulled away decisively at the end. Feldkirch showed fighting spirit in the derby against SC Hohenems, but had to accept a 4:7 defeat.

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. Dornbirner EC

Fri, 10 November 2023, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

VEU Feldkirch vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sat, 11 November 2023, 19:30, Vorarlberghalle

EHC Crocodiles Kundl play two matches within 24 hours this weekend. They host Dornbirner EC on Friday, before the Tyroleans face VEU Feldkirch away on Saturday. 

Kundl had clearly won the first home match against the Bulldogs 16:3, while their match against VEU was an overtime thriller in which the Crocodiles ultimately claimed the extra point.

Crocodiles Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier wants his team to move up the table: "To ensure we can still have a say in the battle for the top places, two wins are necessary and a must!"

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein

Sat, 11 November 2023, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

The absolute match of the week in the West Division takes place at Eisstadion Hohenems. SC Samina Hohenems host the league leaders HC Kufstein. 

The Tyroleans are still top of the Western Division, but the Vorarlberg side are hot on their heels with five wins from five games and have also played two fewer matches. Kufstein suffered their only defeat of the season to date in the home head-to-head against the Steinböcke and are now eager for revenge.

Thomas Sticha, Head Coach of SC Hohenems, knows how his team must approach the Dragons: "Kufstein are the supposedly strongest opponents in our group. We won the first meeting 4:2, but we know the strengths of the Kufstein players. You must not reduce Kufstein to their imports alone; that would be dangerous – they also have good Austrian players. We will try to minimise their chances and not allow them to control the puck for too long. However, we will focus on our game and our strengths."

Roland Luchner, Chairman of the Board and Marketing Board Member at HC Kufstein, hopes his team can make amends for the home defeat against the Vorarlberg side on Saturday: "We are really looking forward to the clash with Hohenems, as we still have a score to settle here. Unfortunately, we narrowly lost last time, and we want to make amends for that defeat. Hohenems undoubtedly have a strong team, but I do not think our side has anything to hide. It will certainly be a treat for every ice hockey fan."

Eastern Division:

UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions

Sat, 11 November 2023, 18:15, Gmunden Ice Rink

Behind Kapfenberger SV, the Eastern Division is, in the words of Forrest Gump, "like a box of chocolates: you never know what you're going to get." Anyone can beat anyone, and the battle for the play-off places will be exciting and has already begun early. 

That is exactly the kind of game the clash between UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden and the EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions at Gmunden Ice Rink on Saturday will be. Both teams are still searching for their best form, but have already produced exciting and emotional matches. Both were only outclassed by Kapfenberg. They now face each other for important points to maintain contact with the teams above them in the table.

Gmunden chairman Thomas Schatzl expects a close contest: "Saturday will certainly be an exciting game. I think Zeltweg have not yet delivered their full potential in their recent games. We need to take our chances and, above all, be solid defensively, then three points are possible."

Christian Mayerl, chairman of EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions, is already feeling positive again after the sporting pain of the 1:6 defeat against ATSE Graz, despite registering 51 shots on goal but scoring only once: "Predictions are very difficult at the moment; behind Kapfenberg, it is all happening, anyone can beat anyone, and there are results that make you wonder. But that is our sport: fast and unpredictable. We will continue to focus on ourselves, (hopefully) minimise our mistakes, get our sights properly set again and then give everything that is in our Lions' hearts in Gmunden. The final reckoning comes after 60 minutes!"

ATSE Graz vs. UHT Dukes Graz           

Sat, 11 November 2023, 19:30, Graz Merkur Ice Stadium - Hall B

The first Graz city derby of the new Ö Eishockey Liga season is on the agenda: ATSE Graz host UHT Dukes Graz at the Merkur Ice Stadium - Hall B on Saturday. A look at the table quickly answers the question of who is currently number one in the Styrian capital: ATSE are third, while the Dukes are currently bottom of the Eastern Division.

The season so far has been somewhat curious for the Eggenberg side. Both home games have been lost, while Head Coach Rupert Strohmeier's team have won both away games. The Dukes have lost all three matches they have played so far. The derby against ATSE is officially listed as an away game, but Head Coach Jurica Bednjanec's team know the rink very well, as the Dukes also play their home games here.  

Kapfenberger SV vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat, 11 November 2023, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

As in the West Division, the coming weekend also features an absolute top clash in the East Division. League leaders Kapfenberger SV host second-placed Wiener Eislauf-Verein. 

The Viennese side started the new season with three wins – one of them in overtime in the opener against the Murtal Lions. The Kangaroos are currently the benchmark in eastern ice hockey and difficult to stop, as a look at the table confirms: the Upper Styrians recorded three wins from three games after 60 minutes each, scoring 22 goals while conceding only two.

Accordingly, Kapfenberg chairman Franz Gärtner is also very pleased with the start to the new season ahead of the big clash against the Viennese side: "We are very satisfied with the start to the season; it could hardly have gone any better. We have put together a great team, and coach Kris Reinthaler is doing an excellent job, always preparing the team optimally for its opponents." 

Gärtner hopes his team can once again deliver a strong performance for the fans on Saturday: "So now we are playing our nearest challengers, who have not lost a game either. It will certainly be an interesting encounter against the Viennese side, who also have several experienced players such as Phil Lakos in their squad. But we also have plenty of experience in the team, will line up with three strong lines and hope for a great crowd that we want to send home happy!"

WEV head coach Mario Kubeczka wants to give the Styrian league leaders a real test: "Kapfenberg will be tough opponents. They strengthened superbly over the summer and have been flawless so far. Unfortunately, we will have one or two absentees, but we have to deal with that. We have worked hard this week and will do everything we can to trip up Kapfenberg. I hope for plenty of support and a good game!"

Ö Eishockey Liga - West Division:

Dornbirner EC vs. VEU Feldkirch

Wed, 08 November 2023, 19:30, Messestadion

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. Dornbirner EC

Fri, 10 November 2023, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein

Sat, 11 November 2023, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

VEU Feldkirch vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sat, 11 November 2023, 19:30, Vorarlberghalle

Ö Eishockey Liga - East Division:

UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions

Sat, 11 November 2023, 18:15, Eishalle Gmunden

ATSE Graz vs. UHT Dukes Graz           

Sat, 11 November 2023, 19:30, Merkur Eisstadion - Halle B

Kapfenberger SV vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat., 11 November 2023, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

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

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