Derby time as SC Hohenems take on VEU Feld­kirch

In the South Group, USC Pirates Velden face the 1st EHC Althofen in the marquee match-up. UECR Eisbären Huben are expecting a fierce contest against ESC SoccerZone Steindorf, while EC iDM VSV take on EC LiWoDruck Spittal.

In the North-East Group, leaders Kapfenberger SV host UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions play ATSE Graz at home, while UHT Dukes Graz face Wiener Eislauf-Verein.

ÖEL matches will be shown on the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation's new livestreaming platform at LIVE.eishockey.at.

The Kufstein district derby between West Group leaders HC Kufstein Dragons and EHC Crocodiles Kundl takes place in the Ö Eishockey Liga as early as Friday.

The fortress town is currently experiencing an ice hockey boom, largely thanks to the outstanding Czech attacking duo of Martin Kosnar and David Hrazdira, who have accounted for almost half of Kufstein's goals (20 of 41). The first derby of the season was already a thrilling contest, with the Crocodiles narrowly prevailing 5:4 after a penalty shoot-out.

Kundl arrive at the Kufstein ice arena following a 5:3 win over defending champions Wattens.

Ivo Novotny, Head Coach HC Kufstein: "The team is currently in good form and the atmosphere is right. We must not allow the win against Wattens to influence us too much. We need to stick to our plan and be aware that we have to work hard for every win. It will certainly be difficult against Kundl. They have been somewhat unpredictable this year. Their defeat against Feldkirch was followed by a win in Wattens yesterday. The arena will be full in any case, and that will provide the team with extra motivation."

Gerhard Maier, Chairman of EHC Crocodiles Kundl: "We proved in the first meeting that we can hold our own against Kufstein. In any case, we are going to Kufstein to ‘get something out of it’, meaning that we do not have to go home empty-handed. The pressure of having to win is on Kufstein, and we are really looking forward to the district derby."

VEU Feldkirch challenge favourites Hohenems

Everything is set for a hot Ländle derby at Hohenems' Herrenried-Stadion. In the first meeting, VEU Feldkirch produced a derby sensation at the Vorarlberghalle.

With their 4:3 win over SC SAMINA Hohenemsthe Montfort city side celebrated their first win in the Ö Eishockey Liga. Following this success, Head Coach Thomas Sticha's young players secured two further victories, but the coach still sees his team as underdogs against the Steinböcke.

Hohenems is preparing for an ice hockey celebration. The impressive stand holds 1.200 fans. Head Coach Bernd Schmidle hopes the Herrenried will be bursting at the seams on Saturday and sees his team as favourites.

Bernd Schmidle, Head Coach SC SAMINA Hohenems: "Hopefully, the Herrenriedstadion will be bursting at the seams for Saturday's derby. VEU are a strong skating team, but I still see us as favourites on the ice. We also have something to make up to our fans for following the derby in Feldkirch. All players are fit and will head into the derby highly motivated."

Thomas Sticha, Head Coach VEU Feldkirch: "Naturally, we are looking forward to the Ländle derby against Hohenems. However, our situation has not changed; we are still a young team that is constantly trying to learn. Hohenems are clearly the favourites, even though we are heading into the away game with confidence after our small winning streak. The team will give everything to take one point or another away from title favourites Hohenems."

Wattens Penguins against HC Innsbruck II

Defending champions WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins have delivered mixed performances so far this season. The Penguins have won only two of their six games.

Their first home game against Kufstein ended in a 2:11 defeat, followed by a 3:5 loss to Kundl on Tuesday evening. On Friday, the young sharks of HC TIWAG Innsbruck II will be the visitors, with the Wattens side narrowly winning the first meeting 4:3.

Innsbruck Head Coach Werner Strele is still waiting for his team's first win of the season. He is demanding tactical discipline and a focused performance from his young players in order to finally secure their first points at the Alpenstadion.

Jaro Betka, Head Coach WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins: "I expect another performance as good as the one we showed against Kundl despite the defeat. People often only see the result, but I was very satisfied with my boys' play! We will certainly come back stronger and learn from our mistakes. My team will be able to improve with every ice training session in Wattens. HCI have a good, young, dynamic group that can and will achieve a lot. But at the end of the day, I want to leave the ice as the winner on Friday!"

Werner Strele, Head Coach HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II: "The first game against Wattens was narrowly lost 3:4. The individual mistakes made in the first game must be eliminated against Wattens on Friday. If we battle with tactical discipline and focus for the full 60 minutes, then hopefully a lot will be possible!"

Group South: Velden host Althofen in the blockbuster

The standings in Group South have made it possible. The game of the round is USC Pirates Velden against No. 1 EHC Althofen or second place against the league leaders.

Velden opened the new season with a 5:0 win at EC LiWoDruck Spittal, and now the team coached by Gerald Ressmann awaits the side from the western shore of Lake Wörthersee. The Rhinos from the spa town already have three games under their belts. Following a defeat and a win against Spittal, they battled passionately to a 5:4 overtime win against Steindorf last Saturday, having trailed 2:4 and after a frantic finish.

Based on his experiences from last season, Velden head coach Herwig Gressel expects an evenly matched game, with the more disciplined team set to prevail.

Herwig Gressel, Head Coach USC Pirates Velden: "We do not want to overrate the opening win against Spittal. It was important to start with a positive result, but we also know that Althofen will certainly be stronger opponents now. The Rhinos are very tactically disciplined, and we found them extremely difficult to play against last season. I hope we can take another step in the right direction on Saturday. The more disciplined team will win the game."

Huben expecting a hot contest against Steindorf

The Eisbären Huben opened the new campaign on Saturday with a 5:4 away win over the young Eagles of EC iDM VSV.

Now, against ESC SoccerZone Steindorf, they face their first home game in Huben's open-air cauldron. Eisbären forward Alexander Riepler is hoping for a hot contest in front of a good crowd.

Steindorf head coach Robert Moser, whose opposite number on the East Tyroleans' bench is his good friend Silvio Trojer, praises the opposition and is aware of their home strength. Although five players will be absent from the line-up, Moser will accept no excuses ahead of the trip to Huben.

Alexander Riepler, assistant captain UECR Eisbären Huben: "Naturally, we are pleased to have started the season with a win. We enjoyed the victory until Sunday evening, and since Monday we have been focusing on our first home game against Steindorf. We know the opposition and their qualities. In my opinion, with their new signings they are the outright favourites for the title. For our home opener, I expect a skilful and, above all, tenacious opponent that does not shy away from any battle. After their opening defeat, they will be looking to make amends. As always, we will not back down and will take up the challenge. Hopefully, it will be a hot contest in a packed ice rink here in Huben."

Robert Moser, Head Coach ESC SoccerZone Steindorf: "We are travelling to East Tyrol with great respect. Huben have many young, well-trained players in their ranks, who can surpass themselves, particularly at home in front of their own fans. On top of that, they have a new coach in Silvio Trojer (a very good friend of mine, editor's note), who knows how to pass on his passion for this sport to the team. We will be without five players in the line-up on Saturday, although, given the depth and strength of our squad, that must not be an excuse. Many favourites have lost in Huben. We have been warned!"

EC iDM VSV face EC LiWoDruck Spittal

The young Eagles of EC iDM VSV host EC LiWoDruck Spittal at the Steindorfer Ossiacher See Halle on Friday.

The two teams already know each other from the current season, with the blue-and-whites winning the opener in Spittal 6:3. Most recently, the Villach side suffered a narrow 4:5 defeat to Huben, but the team coached by Günther Lanzinger showed character after trailing 2:5 and came back to 4:5.

VSV youth director Philipp Pinter expects strong opponents and a "super-cool game" on Friday. The Hornets most recently had to accept two home defeats against Althofen and Velden.

Philipp Pinter, Head of Youth Development, EC iDM VSV: "Head Coach Günther Lanzinger is once again expecting a tough game. We had an easier time in the first match because Spittal were missing a number of players and had not had many ice sessions at that point. The Head Coach is expecting a very different opponent. As the Hornets have many good and experienced players in their squad, we are expecting a difficult game. Compared to the Huben game, our coach can once again draw on a full line-up. We had to do without a number of players who were ill, injured or involved in Kitzbühel or with the senior team. We are more or less at full strength, Spittal are more or less at full strength, so it will certainly be a really cool game. The opponent is very good, it is another great experience for the young players and I hope they take another step forward in their development!"

North-East Group: Murtal Lions against ATSE Graz

The EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions heads confidently into Saturday's home game against the following a spectacular comeback away to WEV and a 4:3 overtime winATSE Graz full of confidence after their spectacular comeback away at WEV and __OEHV_NUM_BZ_A__ overtime victory.

Murtal Lions chairman Christian Mayerl is expecting a technically strong Graz side, against whom taking their chances will play a major role.

ATSE player-coach Rupert Strohmeier, who will contest the eagerly anticipated first Graz city derby against the Dukes with his team on Wednesday, is aware of the significance of Saturday’s clash with the Murtal side, with both teams aiming to be number two in the North-East group behind Kapfenberg.

Christian Mayerl, Chairman, EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions: "With the last game in the rear-view mirror, we should be able to take to the ice against ATSE full of confidence, but we know only too well how quickly everything can turn and that sometimes six minutes are enough to turn a game around. That is why we need to stay humble, focus on the basics and keep working hard! We will see who is available to us again to add some depth to the line-up. The game in Vienna did not pass without a trace for some of the players, but the Lions proved what they are made of. With their fine technical style, ATSE will demand everything from us tactically and we absolutely have to take the chances we get. We need to finish our plays well and keep the neutral zone tight so ATSE cannot find their rhythm there. When the Eggenberg side get going, they are difficult to defend against, but we have also shown that we do not shy away from any challenge and are hoping for a great atmosphere in the arena!"

Rupert Strohmeier, Player-Coach, ATSE Graz:"Games against Zeltweg are always particularly close. Both teams aspire to be the number two in the North-East group behind Kapfenberg. Accordingly, this encounter will also be fiercely contested. If we want to take something away from the Aichfeld, we will need a focused performance over the full 60 minutes. We therefore face a difficult task!"

Kapfenberger SV await Sharks Gmunden

Kapfenberger SV are the benchmark for all teams in the North-East Group of the Ö Eishockey Liga ahead of their clash with UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden.

Five wins from five games speak volumes. 36 goals scored and eleven conceded demonstrate the Kangaroos' attacking quality, but player-coach Kris Reinthaler still wants to improve the team's defensive play. The Mürztal side won the first clash of the season in the shark tank at Lake Traunsee 7:3.

The Sharks from Gmunden had their breakthrough last Saturday, claiming their first win after five consecutive defeats. They secured a narrow 3:2 victory against UHT Dukes Graz. Gmunden chairman Thomas Schatzl was relieved after his team's first full points haul, but the many absences ahead of the difficult away game against the league leaders at the Kapfenberg Stadthalle are a cause for concern.

Kris Reinthaler, Player-Coach, Kapfenberger SV: "Naturally, we want to beat Gmunden again. We know from the first meeting that the Sharks relied heavily on counter-attacks; they switched very quickly from defence to offence, which put us under pressure at times. In general, we want to improve our defensive play, and that is how we will approach the weekend!"

Thomas Schatzl, Chairman, UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden: "We have finally rewarded our good performances with a win against the Dukes. Now it would be good to carry that momentum forward, although we have to play the next two rounds away against Kapfenberg and Zeltweg, which naturally makes it a little more difficult. What concerns me more at the moment are the absences due to injuries and illness. We only have ten skaters in training! I hope a few more will be fit by the weekend. Even though it will be difficult, we will still give everything and will not make it easy for them. The motivation is certainly high."

UHT Dukes Graz face Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Following Wednesday's Graz city derby against ATSE Graz, UHT Dukes Graz welcome another traditional Austrian club on Saturday, with Wiener Eislauf-Verein visiting the Styrian capital.

The Dukes from Graz won the first meeting of the season in Bruck an der Leitha 5:4. The team led by head coach Mario Kubeczka from the capital is eager for revenge.

Both teams are within striking distance of second place in the table, although third place would also be enough to secure a play-off spot. In the closely contested North-East Group behind leaders Kapfenberg, every game and every point is crucial with a possible play-off berth in mind.

Mario Kubeczka, player-coach, Wiener Eislauf-Verein: "The first game against the Dukes was a hard-fought match, with Graz getting the fortunate result. Next Saturday, we should be able to attack with four lines and are hoping for a win. The battle for the play-offs is becoming noticeably tougher, and we have to fully embrace that battle."

Western Group matchday

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II
Fri, 18 November 2022, 19:30, Alpenstadion

HC Kufstein vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Fri, 18 November 2022, 19:45, Eisarena Kufstein

SC SAMINA Hohenems vs. VEU Feldkirch
Sat, 19 November 2022, 17:30, Eisstadion Herrenried

North-East Group matchday

Kapfenberger SV vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 19 November 2022, 19:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. ATSE Graz
Sat, 19 November 2022, 19:00, Aichfeldhalle Zeltweg

UHT Dukes Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sat, 19 November 2022, 19:15, Merkur Eisstadion Graz

Southern Group matchday

EC iDM VSV vs. EC LiWoDruck Spittal
Fri, 18 November 2022, 20:00, Ossiacher See Halle Steindorf

UECR Eisbären Huben vs. ESC SoccerZone Steindorf
Sat, 19 November 2022, 19:00, Eisstadion Huben

USC Pirates Velden vs. 1st EHC Althofen
Sat., 19 November 2022, 19:00, Eishalle Velden

ÖEL games are shown on the Austrian Ice Hockey Association's new livestreaming platform at LIVE.eishockey.at.

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

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