EHC Croc­o­diles Kundl win away against the Wattens Penguins

On Friday, the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins and EHC Crocodiles Kundl met for the third time in three weeks in the Unterinntal derby. The visitors from Kundl took the lead: at 1:0, Lion Ramoser caught Penguins netminder Wotan Knecht off guard at the near post (15 min.). The Crocodiles were unable to enjoy their opening goal for long. Following a quick attack, Noah Polig fired a precise shot home to level the scores at 1:1 just under three minutes before the end of the period (18 min.).

After killing off a penalty, Kundl launched a quick counter-attack through Josef Flick in the second period, with Flick scoring for 2:1 (23 min.). Once again, the lead did not last long, as Matthias Schöser converted a rebound from close range after Kundl goaltender Jakub Kostelny mishandled the puck to make it 2:2 (26 min.). 

With two goals in 21 seconds, Jaroslav Betka's team pulled away to 4:2 shortly after the halfway point. Daniel Frischmann first made it 3:2 on the power play before immediately adding the 4:2 (31 min.). Goaltender Knecht had then had enough, with Marco Simair replacing him in the Penguins net. 

In the final period, Frischmann completed his hat-trick on the next power play with a superb shot from the slot to make it 5:2 (46 min.). Just under six minutes from time, Ricards Purins gave his team hope again with the 3:5 from close range (54 min.). However, the hosts could muster no more that evening, as Kundl won the “six-point” game at the Alpenstadion and took a big step towards the play-offs.

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat., 14 December 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

It is currently Vorarlberg derby time in the Division West: SC Samina Hohenems host Dornbirner EC at the open-air festival in Herrenried on Saturday. Hohenems against Dornbirn – there was something on the first Sunday of Advent: on 1 December, the young Bulldogs celebrated their first win of the current season against the Steinböcke in their first derby meeting, with a 4:3 overtime thriller at the Messestadion.

The skating club from the town of counts are therefore eager for revenge on home ice, as Hohenems head coach Thomas Sticha explains ahead of the rematch: “In the last game against Dornbirn, we did not manage to convert our good chances. We must and will change that in the return match. After the result two weeks ago, it is clear that we must not underestimate Dornbirn, and we will not do so. We will go into the game focused and secure the three points on home ice!”

Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger is hoping for another strong derby against Hohenems after the heavy derby defeat to Lustenau: “Two weeks ago, Hohenems visited us and, from our perspective, it has been the best evening of the season so far. Last weekend, we came back down to earth. Hohenems are a very strong team and will certainly want to avenge the defeat, and we are aware of that. Playing in Hohenems is difficult for every opponent, as they always have very good support from the crowd. We know that Hohenems underestimated us, and they certainly will not do so again this weekend. It will be difficult for us to take points off the Steinböcke, but we have seen that it is possible. We are bottom of the table and would like to change that over the course of the season, but we need points to do so.”

EHC Lustenau vs. HC Kufstein

Sat., 14 December 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle

Based on the standings, the match of the round in the Division West takes place at Lustenau's Rheinhalle, where leaders and hosts EHC Lustenau faces the HC Kufstein for the third time this season, with Kufstein sitting third in the standings ahead of the upcoming round.

The Lions won the first match 4:0, while the Dragons pushed the league leaders all the way until four and a half minutes from the end in the return fixture in Kufstein two weeks ago, leading twice during the game and holding them to 3:3 until that point. It was only with a late surge that the Vorarlberg side went on to win the game 6:3.

"Both in Lustenau and in Kufstein, the Tyroleans played very physical ice hockey. We are prepared for that and will respond accordingly and stand up to them. In the game in Kufstein a few days ago, the match hung in the balance for a long time. In the end, we were able to decide the match in our favour in the final minutes. We will also follow our game plan in Saturday's match and implement it as effectively as possible, so that we can celebrate another home win after the game," said EHC Lustenau coach Dániel Fekete.

Kufstein captain Dominique "Gogo" Saringer explains ahead of the third meeting that they are not far away from taking points off the league leaders from the Ländle: "We saw in the first two games against Lustenau that we are not far off. At home two weeks ago, it was 3:3 until just under four minutes from the end. In the end, however, they showed their class. We know that we have a chance if everything comes together. But if we do not stick to our game plan, it will be difficult!"

Eastern Division:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz

Sat, 14 December 2024, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein host ATSE Graz on Saturday for the next open-air classic at the WEV Arena in front of the Vienna Konzerthaus. With five wins from six games, the Viennese have made an extremely strong start to the season. Three overtime victories also demonstrate the pronounced fighting spirit of the capital side, who want to continue their winning run at home. Following their narrow 2:1 win over league leaders Sharks Gmunden last time out, WEV are the only team in the East to have inflicted two defeats on the Upper Austrians.

In the first meeting with ATSE Graz, the Viennese recorded a comfortable 5:0 win on 23 November. WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich is calling on his players to stay out of the penalty box: "We want to put in another dominant and structured performance in our third consecutive home game. My team cannot afford as many penalties as in the last game and must play a focused 60 minutes – then we will have a good chance of picking up points against ATSE again."

Things have not yet gone as hoped for last season's semi-finalists. With six defeats from seven games – their only win so far came against Maribor – the Styrians are already five points behind the final play-off place, which is currently held by the Slovenians. The away match is already hugely important and could prove decisive for the Eggenberg side if they are to remain in the race for the play-off places.

ATSE head coach Markus Losch is hoping for an improved performance from his team to challenge WEV: "After the mediocre results of recent weeks, the team must improve again in order to get back to winning ways. The first game against WEV was lost 0:5. Games at Heumarkt are always very special, and the team is called upon to rediscover its performance. Overall, the team is looking forward to the game against WEV and we will try to challenge the Viennese in every respect."

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HDK Maribor

Sat, 14 December 2024, 18:30, Gmunden Ice Rink

League leaders UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden will host HDK Maribor in the Division East on Saturday. The Upper Austrians won the first encounter in Slovenia’s second-largest city 3:2 in mid-November. With five wins from seven games – their only two defeats so far have come against WEV – the Sharks remain top of the table. However, following the last round, Vienna and defending champions Kapfenberg have closed to within four points of the Traunsee-based team.

Gmunden head coach Gregor Baumgartner expects his team to refocus following the defeat in Vienna: "Our objective this week will be to refocus. As surprise leaders, we naturally have to prove ourselves again every week. However, we find that very difficult in some games – as we did in Vienna. Against Maribor, the plan is to play simple, honest hockey again. We will only have a chance against the Slovenians if we approach the game with at least the same intensity as the Foxes themselves."

Maribor currently sit fourth on eight points, occupying the final quarter-final spot. Following the narrow defeat against the Sharks, the Drava city side suffered a 3:4 overtime loss away to WEV two weeks ago. Head coach Jure Verlič is in Bled this week as an assistant coach at the U20 World Championship, where he will face the ÖEHV selection, coached by Philipp Pinter, with hosts Slovenia on Thursday.

This time, the man behind the bench for the Foxes will be head coach Luka Jurić, who knows how his team can compete away against the leaders: "With our head coach proudly representing the Slovenian U20 national team this week, we will certainly feel his absence behind the bench. Nevertheless, I have complete faith in our team and the entire coaching staff that they will successfully implement the game plan we have prepared when we face the league leaders. In the first part of the season, we showed that we can dictate the pace of the game, regardless of the opponent. This Saturday, our focus is on maintaining a disciplined defensive structure and capitalising on opportunities in the offensive zone. Discipline, energy and confidence will be the pillars of our performance, and we are determined to bring three points home for our club and our fans!"

Kapfenberger SV have a bye; the Kangaroos return to action against ATSE Graz on 19 December.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl 3:5 (1:1,1:3,1:1)
Fri, 13 December 2024, 19:30, Wattens Ice Rink
Wattens Penguins goalscorers: Noah Polig (17:05), Matthias Schöser (25:50), Ricards Purins (53:44)
EHC Crocodiles Kundl goalscorers: Lion Ramoser (14:31), Josef Flick (22:12), Daniel Frischmann (30:13/PP1, 30:34, 45:35/PP1)

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat, 14 December 2024, 17:30, Hohenems Ice Stadium

EHC Lustenau vs. HC Kufstein

Sat, 14 December 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division East:

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HDK Maribor

Sat, 14 December 2024, 18:30, Eishalle Gmunden

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz

Sat, 14 December 2024, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

Kapfenberger SV have a bye.

All Ö Eishockey Liga tables, statistics and fixtures in the Gamecenter

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