Clear home win for SC Hohenems against Croc­o­diles Kundl – Kufstein thrash Inns­bruck II

The clash at the Herrenried Ice Stadium between SC SAMINA Hohenems and EHC Crocodiles Kundl began three quarters of an hour late due to a floodlight failure.

After two consecutive defeats and darkness in the stadium, the home side quickly saw the light: Martin Grabher Meier finished off a swift solo breakaway in the fourth minute to make it 1:0 for the Steinböcke. 58 seconds later, Johannes Hehle extended Bernd Schmidle's side's lead to 2:0.

The Crocodiles played well after falling behind, but Hohenems were strong defensively and allowed no major scoring chances. With a minute and a half remaining in the period, Thomas Auer made it 3:0 for the Vorarlberg side, setting the hosts on course for victory in the opening period.

SC Hohenems remained in control in the second period. Kundl netminder Johann Bauer continued to be at the centre of the action, while his opposite number Matthias Fritz dealt comfortably with the few counter-attacks. Bauer made several good saves, but was powerless against Pascal Kainz's shot in minute 34. 55 seconds later, Christian Haidinger increased the score to 5:0 for Hohenems, before Kundl got on the scoresheet for the first time through Vladimir Dolnik with three minutes remaining in the period.

There were no further goals in the final period, and the clear victory sees SC Hohenems overtake the Crocodiles in the standings. They welcome league leaders HC Kufstein to Herrenried for the big Group West showdown on Saturday.

Kufstein win convincingly against HC Innsbruck II

When league leaders HC Kufstein visited Innsbruck's TIWAG Arena, HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II made a dream start.

The Junghaie took the lead as early as the fourth minute through a precise shot from Marcus Massimo, making it 1:0. Head Coach Werner Strele's side continued to launch quick attacks, while Kufstein had yet to fully settle into the game, and suddenly it was 2:0 to the provincial capital side: Luca Reiter had caught Dragons netminder Patrick Fuchs out with a shot from the blue line.

Kufstein then battled hard to finally find their rhythm. It took until minute 16 for Sandro Haller to pull one back and make it 1:2.

The visitors emerged from the dressing room transformed at the start of the second period. Czech goal-getter Martin Kosnar beat Innsbruck netminder Isaac Schönthaler in minute 22 to level the score at 2:2.

The Dragons now attacked with greater purpose and turned the game around in just under two minutes. A pair of brothers were responsible: first, Samuel Sappl put Kufstein 3:2 ahead in minute 23, before Philipp Sappl wheeled away in celebration after making it 4:2 just 49 seconds later.

Kufstein's attacking machine was now in full flow. The second Czech signing, David Hrazdira, converted a rebound from Maximilian Camondo's shot in minute 33 to make it 5:2. Dominique Saringer made it 6:2 for the fortress town side two minutes later, before Philipp Sappl found the Innsbruck net for the second time that evening to extend the lead to 7:2. With a scintillating 6:0 second period, Kufstein had decided the game in their favour.

The two Czech star performers continued to shine in the final period. First, Martin Kosnar set up his kindred spirit David Hrazdira perfectly in minute 50, with the 8:2 power-play goal on the board. Hrazdira then returned the favour, setting up Martin Kosnar for the goal that made it 9:2 in minute 52.

Tobias Wilhelm made it 10:2 three and a half minutes later. Noah Kerber scored shortly before the end to make it 3:10 for Innsbrucker Junghaie. HC Kufstein travel to Vorarlberg on Saturday as league leaders for the big showdown with second-placed SC Hohenems.

Western Group matchday

SC SAMINA Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl 5:1 (3:0,2:1,0:0)
Tue, 01 November 2022, 19:00, Herrenried Stadion, Hohenems
SC Hohenems goalscorers: Martin Grabher Meier (at 03:26), Johannes Hehle (at 04:24), Thomas Auer (at 18:27), Pascal Kainz (at 33:28), Christian Haidinger (at 34:23)
EHC Crocodiles Kundl goalscorer: Vladimir Dolnik (at 36:54)

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II vs. HC Kufstein 3:10 (2:1,0:6,1:3)
Tue, 01 November 2022, 19:30, TIWAG Arena
HC Innsbruck II goalscorers: Marcus Massimo (at 3:27), Luca Reiter (at 06:10), Noah Kerber (at 58:24)
HC Kufstein goalscorers: Sandro Haller (at 15:41), Martin Kosnar (at 21:17, 51:04), Samuel Sappl (at 22:24), Philipp Sappl (at 23:13, 37:03), David Hrazdira (at 32:06, 49:57/PP1), Dominique Saringer (at 34:01), Tobias Wilhelm (at 54:34)

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