DEBL2: SPG Kitzbühel/Kufstein complete treble with derby final win over Red Angels Inns­bruck

For the third consecutive time, the DEBL2 title decider was the Tyrolean derby between SPG Kitzbühel/Kufstein and Red Angels Innsbruck. Defending champions SPG Kitzbühel/Kufstein claimed a narrow 2:1 win over Sportunion DHC IceCats Linz AG II in the first semi-final of the DEBL2 Final Four at Sportpark Kitzbühel on Saturday. Last year's runners-up Red Angels Innsbruck beat VSV Lady Hawks III convincingly 5:1 in the second semi-final.

There was a crackling atmosphere at the Sportpark in the Gamsstadt, and the hosts made a lightning-fast start against their colleagues from the Tyrolean capital. Jana Reuter won the puck in the offensive zone and fired home from the slot to make it 1:0 after exactly 68 seconds (2 min.).

Innsbruck quickly found the right response: prolific scorer Lea Mair, who had already struck twice in the semi-final, turned the puck over the line from close range with a backhand effort following a scramble in front of goal (6 min.). The Red Angels soon had their first power play, but were unable to capitalise with another goal.

Following a determined rush by Klara Huber and a wraparound, the puck came to Tara Höfinger, who scored from close range to make it 2:1 for the joint team (13 min.). Just under two minutes later, Sharon Hausberger appeared in the slot and picked out the top-right corner to make it 3:1 (15 min.). The Unterland side had their first power play towards the end of the opening period, but the two-goal lead remained after 20 minutes.

The two teams contested an intense battle in the second period, which remained close for a long time. The Red Angels tried to fight their way back into the game. SPG Kitzbühel/Kufstein had the fourth goal on their sticks and also failed to convert two power plays. The two goaltenders – Leonie Eder for the joint team and Lena Klammer for Innsbruck – both kept clean sheets in the second period.

Little changed in the character of the game during the opening minutes of the final period. Innsbruck battled relentlessly to find a way to score a goal that would bring them back into contention. The hosts were compact defensively and controlled the action on the ice. Following a determined rush, Sophia Widmair fed the puck with a backhand pass from behind the goal line to Helena Hörl, who scored from close range to make it 4:1, effectively deciding the game (47 min.).

The Red Angels then had another power play, including a spell of five-on-three, but were unable to score. Innsbruck had another power play shortly before the end, and Sarah Woschitz reduced the deficit to 2:4 with a backhand effort (59 min.). SPG Kitzbühel/Kufstein ultimately won 4:2 to secure their third consecutive championship title!

Third place goes to Sportunion DHC IceCats Linz AG II

The third-place game at Sportpark Kitzbühel between the VSV Lady Hawks III and Sportunion DHC IceCats Linz AG II was a classic Sunday morning affair. After the first two power plays on either side had produced no goals, Linz struck twice on their next two power plays. The 1:0 was a rather unusual goal for a power play: Daria Eckerstorfer finished superbly into the far corner from the left face-off circle following a quick counter-attack to make it 1:0 (12 min.).

Centre forward Daria Eckerstorfer was also responsible for the IceCats' second goal: this time, the Upper Austrians set up in the offensive zone and, following a shot, Eckersdorfer converted the rebound from the slot to make it 2:0 (16 min.). Linz then had another power play, but instead of extending their lead, the puck found the net behind Yasmine Kainz. Villach reduced the deficit to 1:2 through Jasmin Moser, who scored a classic shorthander following a superb solo effort (19 min.).

The game remained close and evenly balanced in the second period. Both teams were unable to convert another power play into a further goal. Sara Waldherr took over in goal for Linz from her teammate Yasmine Kainz shortly after the halfway mark. In the final period, the Draustadt side, having carried a penalty over from the middle period, were forced to play more offensively and created chances.

IceCats goaltender Sara Waldherr, supported by her defence, protected the narrow one-goal lead. The game became more exciting by the minute. In the final minute, Villach took away their last chance of equalising with a penalty. Sportunion DHC IceCats Linz AG II won 2:1 to secure third place.

DEBL 2 Final Four

Final:

SPG Kitzbühel/Kufstein vs. Red Angels Innsbruck 4:2 (3:1,0:0,1:1)
Sun, 15 March 2026, 15:30, Sportpark Kitzbühel
Goal scorers for SPG Kitzbühel/Kufstein: Jana Reuter (2 min.), Tara Höfinger (13 min.), Sharon Hausberger (15 min.), Helena Hörl (47 min.)
Goal scorers for Red Angels Innsbruck: Lea Mair (6 min.), Sarah Woschitz (59 min./PP1)

3rd-place match: 

VSV Lady Hawks III vs. Sportunion DHC IceCats Linz AG II 1:2 (1:2,0:0,0:0)
Sun, 15 March 2026, 10:15, Sportpark Kitzbühel
Goal scorer for Sportunion DHC IceCats Linz AG II: Daria Eckerstorfer (12 min./PP1, 16 min./PP1)
Goal scorer for VSV Lady Hawks III: Jasmin Moser (19 min./SH1)

Semi-final 1:

SPG Kitzbühel/Kufstein vs. Sportunion DHC IceCats Linz AG II 2:1 (1:1,1:0,0:0)
Sat, 14 March 2026, 15:30, Sportpark Kitzbühel
Goal scorers for SPG Kitzbühel/Kufstein: Sophia Widmair (7 min.), Helena Hörl (38 min.)
Goal scorer for Sportunion DHC IceCats Linz AG II: Lisa Kail (6 min./PP1)

Semi-final 2:

Red Angels Innsbruck vs. VSV Lady Hawks III 5:1 (0:0,4:1,1:0)
Sat, 14 March 2026, 18:30, Sportpark Kitzbühel
Goal scorers for Red Angels Innsbruck: Tanja Knoll (24./PP1), Lea Mair (28./PP1, 32.), Julia Föger (39., 53./PP1)
Goalscorer for VSV Lady Hawks III: Sabrina Di Casmirro (37.)