Derby thriller in Styria - top-of-the-table clash in the West - battle of the chasers in the South

The West Group showpiece sees first take on second, with leaders HC Kufstein facing SC Hohenems. HC Innsbruck II and VEU Feldkirch meet twice, on Friday and Saturday. Crocodiles Kundl face a tough away test against defending champions WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins.

In the South Group, league leaders 1. EHC Althofen visit EC iDm VSV, while first chasers Pirates Velden take on ESC SoccerZone Steindorf. Eisbären Huben are battling EC LiWoDruck Spittal for their third win of the season.

Derby fever in the West Group

Upper Styria and Graz derbies! The clash between Kapfenberg and EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions is once again highly explosive. The visitors have made it clear through chairman Christian Mayerl that: "We do not want to hand out any more Christmas presents before Christmas." Two weeks ago, the Kängurus prevailed 7:5.

To be successful, the Murtal Lions need to minimise mistakes: "The focus must be on a compact neutral zone, good positional play and 100 per cent concentration over 60 minutes," said Mayerl.

Kapfenberg have recently been training with a depleted squad and are hoping that several players will be fit in time, player-coach Kris Reinthaler: "We have an injury crisis in our camp. We will see that we can take to the ice in our best possible line-up, give it everything and are prepared for a tough game in which we want to claim the win."

Two weeks ago, ATSE Graz celebrated a 4:1 away win over the Dukes, taking revenge for the 2:3 defeat in the first city derby. They now want to follow that up in front of their home crowd and extend their supremacy in Graz. Both teams are level on nine points. Third in the group on nine points are UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden, who host Wiener Eislauf-Verein on Saturday. Two weeks ago, the Sharks narrowly prevailed 5:4.

Top-of-the-table clash in the West Group

The West Group gets under way on Friday. HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II host VEU Feldkirch in the first of a double-header, which continues on Saturday. Feldkirch comfortably won the last meeting 10:1, but the Tyrolean capital are nevertheless hoping to finally secure their first win of the season.

The West Group's top clash is HC Kufstein against SC SAMINA Hohenems – first versus second, promising an ice hockey feast in the fortress town. After two meetings so far, the score stands at 1:1. At the end of October, Kufstein first won 4:2 at home, before losing 1:6 away a week later. The West Group programme is rounded off by the meeting between defending champions WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins and EHC Crocodiles Kundl.

Battle of the chasers in the South Group

Just one point separates ESC SoccerZone Steindorf and USC Pirates Velden. Their only meeting so far ended 4:1 to Steindorf. The winners will establish themselves as the leading challengers to league leaders Althofen, who travel to the EC iDM VSV Jungadler. This is definitely no straightforward task for the Rhinos, with Althofen only prevailing in overtime in their last game.

Bottom side UECR Eisbären Huben host EC LiWoDruck Spittal, who are in the mix for second place, in their magnificent open-air arena. The East Tyroleans urgently need three points if they are to remain in the race for a playoff spot in the Ö Eishockey Liga.

West Group matchday

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II vs. VEU Feldkirch
Fri, 16 December 2022, 19:00

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Fri, 16 December 2022, 19:30

HC Kufstein vs. SC SAMINA Hohenems
Sat, 17 December 2022, 17:30

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II vs. VEU Feldkirch
Sat, 17 December 2022, 19:30

Group North-East matchday

UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sat, 17 December 2022, 18:15

Kapfenberger SV vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions
Sat, 17 December 2022, 19:00

ATSE Graz vs. UHT Dukes Graz
Sat, 17 December 2022, 19:30

Group South matchday

EC iDM VSV vs. 1st EHC Althofen
Sat, 17 December 2022, 17:00

UECR Eisbären Huben vs. EC LiWoDruck Spittal
Sat, 17 December 2022, 19:00

USC Pirates Velden vs. ESC SoccerZone Steindorf
Sat, 17 December 2022, 20:00

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