Crocodiles Kundl edge HC Kufstein in dramatic first district derby

EHC Crocodiles Kundl won the district derby against eternal rivals HC Kufstein in the Division West of the Ö Eishockey Liga, prevailing 4:3 in overtime after leading 3:1 and a dramatic final period.

25 October 20242 min read

The EHC Crocodiles Kundl faced eternal rivals HC Kufstein on Friday in the first district derby of the new Ö Eishockey Liga Division West season. The hosts began the high-stakes local clash with the Dragons with goaltender Michael Sicher, who had trained at KAC, while first-choice netminder Thomas Hechenberger was between the posts for the visitors.

There was no feeling-out phase for either team at the Eisarena Kundl: Sebastian Schild gave Kundl an early 1:0 lead (4th minute). Kufstein soon equalised through Valentin Hammerle to make it 1:1 (8th minute).

Neither team gave an inch, with the derby developing into a close and hard-fought contest. The two goaltenders and defensive units were strong and initially gave little away. Shortly before the halfway point of the game, Erik Hefke once again gave the home crowd at the Eisarena Kundl something to cheer about when he scored to make it 2:1 (30th minute). The first emotions then flared up, with Patrick Hager sent to the showers early for the Dragons.

In the final period, the Crocodiles initially held onto their lead before defenceman Josef Flick scored to make it 3:1 on a 5:3 power play (49th minute). But Head Coach Andreas Luchner's team refused to be beaten; quite the opposite: Maximilian Camondo cut the deficit to 2:3 on the power play (53th minute). Just under two minutes later, Valentin Hammerle equalised for Kufstein to make it 3:3 (56th minute).

The heated derby went to overtime, where Maximilian Agerer scored to make it 4:3 for Kundl after 34 seconds, securing victory for the Crocodiles after a dramatic final period (61st minute).

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC Kufstein 4:3 OT (1:1,1:0,1:2,1:0)
Fri, 25 October 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl
Crocodiles Kundl scorers: Sebastian Schild (at 03:51), Erik Hefke (at 29:43), Josef Flick (at 48:31/PP2), Maximilian Agerer (at 60:34)
HC Kufstein scorers: Valentin Hammerle (at 07:10, 55:55), Maximilian Camondo (at 52:38/PP1)

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Sat, 26 October 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau

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Sun, 27 October 2024, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn