Divi­sion East gets underway in earnest - Two derbies in Divi­sion West!

ATSE Graz vs. Kapfenberger SV

It is now getting serious for the clubs in the Ö Eishockey Liga's Division East as well. The first real test of where they stand awaits next weekend. Two games will take place in Graz Liebenau on Saturday. 

First, ATSE Graz from 18:00 at Merkur Eisstadion Halle B, the favourites Kapfenberger Kängurus at __OEHV_NUM_G_A__ in Merkur Eisstadion Halle B, with the visitors looking to make big leaps this year. 

Everything is set for a fast-paced and excellent ice hockey game. There is no shortage of added spice: former Graz 99ers Kevin Moderer, Daniel Oberkofler and Kris Reinthaler line up for Kapfenberg, while Mario Petrovitz, Rupert Strohmeier, Stefan Trost and Niki Zierer are with ATSE. ATSE new signing Stefan Trost also spent the past five seasons wearing the Kängurus jersey. 

Player-coach Kris Reinthaler does not state Kapfenberg's target for the season, but after reaching one final and one semi-final, every player in the dressing room can work out where the ice hockey journey is meant to lead in spring 2024: "We clearly want to start the season with a win, while ATSE will probably want the same. There are hardly any surprises with ATSE, except that we will come up against an old acquaintance in Stefan Trost. We have to be ready from the first minute, we know ATSE: they are a team that is very strong on the counterattack, they play very compactly in defence and have a very good goalkeeper. We simply have to make sure we get pucks to the net and put in a solid performance at the back!"

UHT Dukes Graz vs. RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden

Also on Saturday, UHT Dukes Graz invite the UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden to Merkur Eisstadion for the first dance of the new season. 

The Upper Austrians have appointed a former national team player, long-standing top Bundesliga player and two-time NHL draft pick as head coach. Ice hockey expert Gregor Baumgartner is tasked with making the sharks from Lake Traun even more ferocious and attack-minded. 

Gmunden chairman Thomas Schatzl is looking forward to the first league game with optimism: "A new season and the first game are always difficult. Where do we stand, and where are the other teams? There have been quite a few changes to the playing squad, and our new coach Gregor Baumgartner first has to put the lines together in the best possible way. Gregor has plenty planned and I hope the team can quickly put it into practice on the ice. Our first objective is not to make a poor start to the season, as we have in recent years. The Dukes are a very quick team, but we have quick players too. I think the team with the better defence will have the edge on Saturday. Taking three points home from Graz would of course be a great start to the league season."

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

The EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions celebrates its home opener against Wiener Eislauf-Verein. This year, the Styrians have Vienna-born Philipp Ullrich behind the bench as Head Coach, alongside Swede Ake Lilljebörn, with the pair expected to bring fresh impetus. 

Lions chairman Christian Mayerl is hoping for a good start, although the Murtal side have had to contend with several injuries in pre-season: "The injury list is naturally causing us headaches and will have an impact on the line-up. Nevertheless, we will pull together, give our best and see what comes of it. The main priority is to stabilise the team despite the absences, further internalise the new style of play and show the fans a good game. How good it will be naturally also depends on the opponent, who has strengthened their squad considerably with some notable names. We, too, have added a young, hungry player in Kevin Pesendorfer, who has already shown his potential. Geographically, we have a slight disadvantage in Upper Styria when it comes to attracting players, and we want to compensate for that with team spirit and commitment!"

The home games in Zeltweg are set to provide entertainment beyond the sporting action, too. The season opener will feature an Oktoberfest with a traditional costume fashion show, in which players from the Neuberg Highlanders and several Lions players, including the chairman, will take to the ice during the intermissions for a fashion show.

WEV Head Coach Mario Kubeczka is eagerly anticipating the opener at the Aichfeldhalle with his team, where Vienna ice hockey legend Philippe Lakos is expected to provide additional defensive strength: "We are delighted that the season is finally getting under way. We have prepared well both off and on the ice this year and head into the new campaign full of confidence. Over the summer, we were able to announce some good transfers and thereby increase the quality of the squad. But we are not finished yet, that much I can reveal. The first game against Zeltweg is almost a tradition, and we are hugely looking forward to it. Zeltweg are a tough opponent and, with their fans behind them, it will not be an easy task. I think it will be a lively affair from the outset and the fans will get to see a great opening game!"

Two derbies in Division West 

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Division West continues as early as Friday. EHC Crocodiles Kundl and SC Samina Hohenems will celebrate their eagerly awaited season openers in a direct clash at the Eisarena Kundl. 

The Vorarlberg side would already have played games, but had to postpone their scheduled derbies against VEU Feldkirch twice. At the start of the week, liquid ammonia leaked while the refrigeration system was being filled at the Eisstadion Hohenems. The technician immediately alerted the emergency services. A major operation by the Hohenems fire brigade, together with the fire brigades from Dornbirn, Lustenau and Schwarzach, succeeded in stopping the leak. 

Whether the Ibex can be stopped on the ice will become clear on Friday. Head Coach Thomas Sticha knows the strength of the Crocodiles: "Kundl have strengthened their squad well and will certainly play with greater confidence this year. However, we will focus on our own game and try to impose our style on the opponent. We will apply pressure in the right situations and force the opponent into mistakes. Our aim is to return to Vorarlberg with three points."

HC Kufstein vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Less than 24 hours after the opener against Hohenems, Kundl will face HC Kufstein. 

Crocodiles chairman Gerhard Maier is expecting two hotly contested games: "We have ten new players in our ranks and first need to come together properly as a functioning team. We are heading in the right direction and last weekend's final warm-up game gives us confidence looking ahead. Starting against the two division favourites will be a benchmark for us – we are underdogs, but highly motivated and will put up a strong fight!" 

The Dragons made the perfect start to the season last weekend with two wins against VEU Feldkirch and Dornbirn. Czech goal-getter David Hrazdira in particular was unstoppable, with the forward registering a total of nine points (5 goals, 4 assists). 

Head Coach Ivo Novotny was pleased and, like his team, is eagerly anticipating the first derby: "We have made a good start. Many things have already worked quite well. I hope our ill players return during the week, which will certainly give us another boost. The anticipation for the derby is already huge; the boys are fired up!"

VEU Feldkirch vs. Dornbirner Eishockey Club

One derby in the west is not enough: to round off the weekend, there is also the first Vorarlberg derby of the still-young season – with three Ländle clubs in the Ö Eishockey Liga, there will be several more to follow: VEU Feldkirch welcome league newcomers Dornbirner EC. 

The young Bulldogs players had to learn a harsh lesson in their opener against Kufstein. DEC Head Coach Pavel Takac knows that his team still has plenty of work ahead of them: "There will be no easy opponents for us. We know that. I am satisfied with the first game, but we still have to work hard on ourselves. We now know where we stand and what we need to do to become successful and improve. We are the youngest team in this league and will learn quickly how to get better. We will have our next opportunity to do so on Sunday at VEU Feldkirch." 

The Montfort town side suffered a 1:4 defeat at HC Kufstein in the ÖEL opening game last Friday.

Ö Eishockey Liga – Division West

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems    

Fri, 13 October 2023, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

HC Kufstein vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sat, 14 October 2023, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein

VEU Feldkirch vs. Dornbirner Eishockey Club

Sun, 15 October 2023, 18:00, Vorarlberghalle

SC Samina Hohenems vs. VEU Feldkirch

Match postponed; the new date will be announced.

Ö Eishockey Liga – Division East

ATSE Graz vs. Kapfenberger SV

Sat, 14 October 2023, 18:00, Merkur Eisstadion Hall B

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat, 14 October 2023, 19:00, Aichfeldhalle

UHT Dukes Graz vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden

Sat, 14 October 2023, 20:00, Merkur Eisstadion

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

Follow the Ö Eishockey Liga on Instagram and Facebook!