Defending cham­pions Kapfen­berg over­come ATSE Graz – Hohenems seek revenge against Kundl

ATSE GrazATSE Grazfaced defending champions Kapfenberger SV for the third time in just under three weeks on Thursday. In a game that remained evenly balanced for a long time, the first goals did not come until the second period. Clemens Lennkh put the hosts 1:0 ahead shortly before the halfway point (30.). Just under six and a half minutes later, Manuel Trost levelled the scores after being set up by his brother Stefan Trost (36.). 

As in the previous meeting, which the Kängurus only managed to win convincingly 7:1 with a sensational final period after 40 evenly balanced minutes, the first two periods were once again an exciting and close affair. With 57 seconds remaining in the middle period, the visitors had turned the game around, as Lukas Winkler made it 2:1 to Kapfenberg (40.).

In the final period, the reigning champions picked up right where they had left off: Lukas Draschkowitz made it 3:1 after just 30 seconds (41.). This time, Graz fought their way brilliantly back into the game. First, Niki Zierer pulled one back to make it 2:3 (47.). A little over four minutes later, the Eggenberg side celebrated the equaliser, with Clemens Lennkh scoring his second goal to make it 3:3 (51.). 

That set up crunch time, in which Kapfenberg finally put the game on course for victory with a quick double strike just under two minutes from the end: Florian Hoppl first gave them a 4:3 lead after a pass from Stefan Trost (58.), before another joint effort from the two players made it 5:3 just 20 seconds later. This time Hoppl set up Stefan Trost, who scored the final goal (59.). 

The Mürztal side had therefore also won the third meeting against Graz, who face a must-win game against Maribor on Sunday in the battle for the final play-off spot. The Kängurus visit league leaders Sharks Gmunden for Saturday's blockbuster.

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. KSV Kängurus

Sat, 21 December 2024, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

League leaders UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden host champions Kapfenberger SV in the Division East blockbuster at the Muki Eisarena on Saturday. The Styrians have two scores to settle with the Upper Austrians. The Kängurus narrowly lost the first meeting away to the Sharks 4:5 on the second matchday, before suffering an even heavier 3:7 defeat at home.

The Sharks have sparked a small ice hockey boom on Lake Traun, which they will look to confirm against the reigning champions. They have recorded six wins and two defeats against WEV – one of them at home after a penalty shoot-out – from eight games. 

Head coach Gregor Baumgartner is looking forward to an intense test against the champions from the Mürztal: "We always see the matches against last season's champions as a snapshot of where our team is at. Every game against them is very intense. Together with our fans, we are looking forward to an exciting clash!"

HDK Maribor vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat, 21 December 2024, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

HDK MariborHDK Mariborhost Wiener Eislauf-Verein at the Ledena dvorana Maribor for the second time on Saturday, with this being the third meeting between the two teams this season. Both games were fiercely contested and went to the Viennese side in overtime. In Maribor, the capital side won 2:1 after overtime on the second matchday, followed by a 4:3 victory in Vienna, also after overtime. 

Maribor head coach Jure Verlič is hoping to make home advantage count: "We have played very close games against WEV, so we expect another difficult game. We have to be patient and focus on ourselves and our principles on the ice. With the support of the home fans, we can earn more important points!"

WEV are enjoying a very solid regular season this year and currently sit second in the standings behind the Sharks Gmunden. A win against the Slovenians could see the Viennese take a major step towards the playoffs. 

WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich recalls two very close encounters with the Foxes from the Slovenian city on the Drava: "We know Maribor; we have already played them twice. Both games were very close and every mistake can be decisive. My team will again try to play solid, intense hockey for 60 or 65 minutes."

ATSE Graz vs. HDK Maribor

Sun., 22 December 2024, 15:30, Merkur Eisstadion

After the home game against the Kangaroos, ATSE Graz face HDK Maribor on Sunday afternoon in the twin cities derby. High drama is guaranteed: for Graz, who reached the semi-finals last season, this match is already crucial if they are to retain any chance in the battle for the final playoff spot. 

The Foxes could take a major step towards qualifying for the quarter-finals in the direct showdown. Both teams won their home games in the first two meetings, with ATSE claiming a 6:2 victory – their only win of the season so far. Maribor responded at home with a 4:1 win.

Markus Losch, head coach of ATSE Graz, knows what will be needed in the potentially decisive game against the Slovenians: "We have a crucial game against Maribor coming up on Sunday. Here too, we need to return to the old virtues, as we already showed in the first home game against Maribor. With hard work in front of the opposition's net, we should be able to get back to winning ways. But of course, victory will only be possible through hard work."

Maribor head coach Jure Verlič knows that his team will have to manage their energy for the important game against ATSE after Saturday's match against WEV: "With two games in two days, it will be important for us to go into the game with good energy and mental strength. With simple plays and team discipline, we can put ourselves in a good position to be successful in the second game of this weekend as well. It is good that we do not have to travel so far for the game."

Division West:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Fri., 20 December 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

Based on the standings, the match between EHC Crocodiles Kundl and SC Samina Hohenems the marquee game of the round in the West Division. The Steinböcke are the closest challengers to dominant league leaders Lustenau, while the Crocodiles are lurking right behind them in third place. The Tyroleans won the exciting first meeting of the season in early November in overtime, 3:2. Now the Vorarlberg side are eager for revenge away from home in the Lower Inn Valley. 

First place after the regular season will go to Lustenau, but the battle for second place remains open, with the two opponents currently separated by four points. Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier is hoping for a home win against the Vorarlberg side despite several absences: "Although we are still dealing with several absences, we are playing to win at home. We won in Hohenems, so why should we not manage it in front of our own fans as well?"

Hohenems Head Coach Thomas Sticha is aware of the Crocodiles' strengths: "Kundl are the only team we have not beaten this season. We want to change that on Friday evening. As always against Kundl, it will be a game in which the small details decide the outcome. We have been warned about Kundl, but we know our strengths and will try to put them into practice in the game. Our bad luck in front of goal seems to be decreasing, and we want to take advantage of that."

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Fri, 20 December 2024, 19:45, Eisarena Kufstein

The HC Kufstein face the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins for the first time this season on Friday and could take a major step towards the play-offs with a home win in this "six-point game". 

In the fortress town, fans are looking forward to the return of goalscorer David Hrazdira to the Kufstein ice. Most recently, the prolific scorer found the net in his comeback game, but he and his teammates were unable to prevent the 2:7 defeat in Lustenau. After three consecutive defeats, the Penguins urgently need points to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Kufstein chairman Roland Luchner is looking forward to facing long-standing rivals Wattens and is hoping for a successful auction of the X-Mas jerseys worn by the Dragons in this match: "We are hugely excited to finally face our long-standing rivals from Wattens again on Friday. In the past, these games have always been real highlights. It will certainly be the same on Friday. We are particularly pleased to be playing in our X-Mas jerseys, which will again be auctioned off for a good cause after the game. Last year, the campaign enabled us to donate more than 7.000 euros to ‘Gemeinsam Helfen’ in Kufstein. Let's see what we can raise this year!"

Wattens coach Manfred Burgstaller is hoping for the return of several players to provide a deeper line-up: "After the unfortunately unnecessary defeat against Kundl, we travel to Kufstein on Friday. The players on both teams know each other inside out. We can only hope that a great many of the ill and injured players return this week, so that we have three complete lines available. Kufstein have strengthened their squad recently, are certainly one of the top teams in this league, and as in every game, we will fight until the end in the hope of taking something from it."

Dornbirner EC vs. EHC Lustenau

Sun, 22 December 2024, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

The Dornbirner EC and West Division leaders EHC Lustenau play their final Ö Eishockey Liga match before Christmas on Sunday, in the Vorarlberg derby at the Messestadion. The Bulldogs have been clearly second best in both previous local encounters against the Lions, losing 0:7 on home ice and 0:10 away at the Rheinhalle. 

Lustenau have lost just one of their eleven games so far, with their only defeat coming away to Hohenems in the derby on 23 November. If their current form continues, the league newcomers will enter the play-offs as the top team in the West Division and therefore have the right to choose their quarter-final opponent. 

Lustenau coach Dániel Fekete wants his team to be fully focused on this game: "Many favourites have already come unstuck against supposed underdogs through overconfidence. As with every other match, we will prepare for this game with focus and will not underestimate Dornbirn. An early lead could make life easier for us. However, the team must enter the game alert and do the necessary work, otherwise the pendulum can swing in the other direction very quickly!"

Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger is demanding a response from his players following the heavy defeat against Lustenau two weeks ago: "The league leaders are coming to us and we really took a beating two weeks ago. We were not ready and relied on the performance from the previous week. We have to want it more and work hard just to have a chance of earning points. Against Lustenau, we need a top performance and our opponents need to have a bad day for us to get points. That is the reality. Derbies must always be assessed differently, and it should be motivation enough for the team to put in a better showing than in the 0:10 defeat. We will try to be ready from the very first second on Sunday and fight until the final second."

Remaining Ö Eishockey Liga schedule in 2024

The Ö Eishockey Liga resumes immediately after Christmas. There is still plenty of action in the West Division, in particular, until shortly before the turn of the year; it could also be called the "Vorarlberg-Tirol Series": six inter-state clashes are scheduled from 26 December to 29 December. 

SC Hohenems face HC Kufstein on 26 December before rounding off the year away against the Wattens Penguins on 29 December, who will first host league leaders EHC Lustenau on 27 December. EHC Crocodiles Kundl play Dornbirner EC on St Stephen's Day, followed by EHC Lustenau on 29 December. HC Kufstein conclude their ice hockey year at home against Dornbirner EC on 28 December.

In the East Division, Wiener Eislauf-Verein travel to defending champions Kapfenberg on St Stephen's Day, before the Viennese side host UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden on 28 December.

Ö Eishockey Liga - EAST Division:

ATSE Graz vs. KSV Kängurus 3:5 (0:0,1:2,2:3)
Thu, 19 December 2024, 20:00, Merkur Eisstadion
Goalscorers for ATSE Graz: Clemens Lennkh (29:09, 50:25), Nikolaus Zierer (46:01)
Goalscorers for KSV Kängurus: Manuel Trost (35:45), Lukas Winkler (39:03), Lukas Draschkowitz (40:30), Florian Hoppl (57:48 (Min.), Stefan Trost (58:08)

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. KSV Kängurus

Sat, 21 December 2024, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden 

HDK Maribor vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat, 21 December 2024, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

ATSE Graz vs. HDK Maribor

Sun, 22 December 2024, 15:30, Merkur Eisstadion

Remaining East Division schedule until the turn of the year:

KSV Kängurus vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Thu, 26 December 2024, 18:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Sat, 28 December 2024, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

Ö Eishockey Liga – Division West:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Fri, 20 December 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Fri, 20 December 2024, 19:45, Eisarena Kufstein

Dornbirner EC vs. EHC Lustenau

Sun, 22 December 2024, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

Remaining Division West schedule until the turn of the year:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein

Thu, 26 December 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. Dornbirner EC

Thu, 26 December 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Lustenau

Fri, 27 December 2024, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

HC Kufstein vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat, 28 December 2024, 17:35, Eisarena Kufstein

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sun, 29 December 2024, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

EHC Lustenau vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sun, 29 December 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle

All standings, statistics and fixtures for the Ö Eishockey Liga in the Game Centre

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