EHC Kundl can seal ÖEL playoff qual­i­fi­ca­tion – WEV face three games in three days

EHC Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Fri, 23 January, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

For the third time this season, EHC Kundl and SC Samina Hohenems will face each other in the West Division on Friday. In their first meeting, the Steinböcke won 5:3 away from home at the end of October after an exciting game in which Kundl led twice. The decisive goal came only when Benjamin Kyllönen scored into the empty net 21 seconds before the final buzzer.

The second duel at the beginning of December was a straightforward affair, with the Vorarlberg side winning 7:2. The third matchup had to be postponed due to the weather on 10 January and will now take place as a back-to-back game at midday on Sunday. Friday alone is crucial: Kundl can seal their playoff place if the Unterinntal side are four points ahead of rivals Wattens Penguins, who travel to HC Kufstein, after the two evening games.

Kundl chairman Stefan Rainer hopes his team can secure their playoff place early: "We did our homework against Dornbirn and put ourselves in a very good position. This weekend, we now have a great opportunity to book our playoff ticket and avoid the big showdown in Wattens. We know we have the quality to beat Hohenems twice. We are currently in fourth place and can secure that position; that is our clear objective. But we are also aware that we are playing the third-placed team, who are back at full strength and still very much in the race for second place, in order to saddle Kufstein with an away tie. So we have to stay focused, stick to our game and take our chances!"

Hohenems sporting director Matthias Fritz wants to reach second place with his team: "After a difficult but hugely important win in Wattens, the focus now turns to the back-to-back weekend against Kundl. Even after this challenging period, our objective remains in our own hands. Second place is within reach, and that is exactly what we want to take the next steps towards in the upcoming games!"

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Fri, 23 January, 19:45, Eisarena Kufstein

For the fourth and final time, HC Kufstein and WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins will meet in the Unterinntal derby during the West Division regular season on Friday. The Dragons won the first encounter 5:3 at the end of November, while Kufstein also eased to a clear 6:1 away win at the beginning of December. Most recently, the fortress town side won 6:2 at the Alpenstadion on the Friday after Christmas, following a sensational opening period and four consecutive goals.

The hosts are defending second place in the standings in a long-distance battle with SC Hohenems, who are level on points, although they have played one game more than the Vorarlberg side. There is much at stake for the Wattens Penguins: a win is essential to remain in the playoff race with EHC Kundl. Wattens head into the weekend two points behind and having also played one game more than Kundl.

Kufstein head coach Andreas Luchner and his team have no intention of giving the Penguins anything: "After the away defeat in Lustenau, we have to show the appropriate response at home against Wattens. That means sticking to our game and taking three points in order to achieve our objective – second place in the standings – in the end."

Wattens head coach Fabian Hechenberger knows that his team faces a potentially decisive game in Kufstein on Friday: "For us, the game against Kufstein is a real ‘final’. With two rounds remaining, we unfortunately no longer have our playoff qualification in our own hands and are reliant on help from elsewhere. We are focusing one hundred per cent on our own game; we have to do our job. Kufstein have been playing very good hockey for weeks, so the task is extremely difficult. We believe in ourselves, have to leave everything on the ice and win this game!"

EHC Lustenau vs. Dornbirner EC Bulldogs
Sat., 24 January 2026, 17:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau

The EHC Lustenau host the Dornbirner EC Bulldogs in the Rheinhalle on Saturday for the fourth and final local derby in the Division West. On National Day, the Lions claimed a clear 9:2 away win. On St Nicholas Day, Lustenau followed that up with a clear 11:1 victory.

Lustenau were also clearly the superior team in the third meeting in mid-January after the Christmas break, recording an untroubled 8:1 win. The dominant division winners now only need to maintain their form for the playoffs. The Bulldogs are playing their penultimate game of the season, before travelling to Kufstein in the final round.

Despite being favourites, Lustenau head coach Dániel Fekete warns against complacency and demands a full commitment from his team: "Although we go into this game as favourites, we still take our opponents very seriously. Our aim is to offer the fans an attractive game and continue our home run. At the same time, we can test important things with a view to the playoffs. I expect a team that enjoys playing, sets the tone from the start and puts the game on the road to victory early on!"

Dornbirn head coach Jörg Kopeinig is looking for lessons for the future against the league leaders: "Against Lustenau, we will again try to play our fast, good hockey and implement tactical variations. There is nothing left to play for in the table, but we want to develop our young players consistently and sustainably. In every game, we can gain experience and learn how to deal with certain situations, which will help us compete more effectively in this league in the future!"

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Kundl
Sun., 25 January 2026, 12:00, Eisstadion Hohenems

Following their Friday evening clash, SC Samina Hohenems and EHC Kundl will face each other for the fourth and final time in the regular season in Division West on Sunday, in a "back-to-back". In the first meeting at the end of October, the Steinböcke won 5:3 away from home after an exciting match in which Kundl led twice. The second encounter in early December was a clear-cut affair, with the Vorarlberg side winning 7:2.

The rescheduled game for the match in Herrenried, which was postponed due to the weather on 10 January, will take place at the unusual start time of midday. Whether the match becomes a Western thriller like "High Noon - Twelve Noon" depends on the preceding Friday evening, when Kundl face the Steinböcke and Wattens take on Kufstein in a long-distance battle for playoff qualification. The battle for the final playoff place in the Ö Eishockey Liga could already be decided by then. What is certain is that Hohenems have planned a real hockey family day for Sunday, with music and face painting for children. After the game, there will also be the opportunity to join ÖEL players on the ice for the After Game Skate.

Division East:

KSV Kängurus vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Fri, 23 January, 20:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

For the fourth time this season, the KSV Kängurus and Wiener Eislauf-Verein will cross sticks on Saturday in the East Division. Two home games in Kapfenberg had to be postponed due to a technical fault at Stadthalle Kapfenberg, which is why the Mürztal side have an extremely home-heavy January. The first meeting, which the Styrians won 3 with 5:2 at the Steffl Arena, took place in mid-October.

Kapfenberg won the second duel away from home in front of Vienna Konzerthaus at the end of December, 3:2 after a penalty shootout. Last Friday, the Kängurus left nothing to chance and ultimately celebrated a commanding 5:1 home win. The Styrians are fighting for the divisional title in their four remaining games. Kapfenberg are currently level on points at the top with defending champions Sharks Gmunden, but have played two games fewer than the Traunsee Sharks and therefore hold all the aces in their hands to enter the playoffs in first place.

Kapfenberg player-coach Kristof Reinthaler is focused on managing training and recovery due to the intense schedule: "It is currently a very tough schedule for us, certainly no less demanding than a professional schedule in January. We have to make sure we recover well, which is not so easy when you also have a full-time job and family life alongside it and therefore cannot make use of the recovery measures that are actually required after such a schedule. However, we must make sure that we first recover health-wise and can then really get going again. I hope we can carry out our training sessions completely normally this week. We simply need to reduce the intensity a little this month, make sure we feel good and that everyone stays healthy. Vienna will of course again be a very difficult opponent, but there are very important points at stake for us!"

WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich knows that his team must manage their energy over this intense weekend: "In the last game in Kapfenberg, we played the first period very well. From the second period onwards, we were no longer as consistent and were punished by two unfortunate goals against in that period. The coming weekend, with three games in three days, will be very intense. We will try to spread the load across as many shoulders as possible and pay particular attention to certain things with a view to the playoffs!"

HDK Maribor vs. KSV Kängurus
Sat, 24 January 2026, 18:30, Ledna dvorana Maribor

On Saturday, HDK Maribor and the KSV Kängurus will face each other for the fifth and final time this season. The Kapfenberg side have won all four previous meetings against the Foxes from Slovenia. In mid-October, the Kängurus won 3:2 on home ice, while Kapfenberg prevailed 5:4 in the Drava city at the end of November.

Shortly before Christmas, the Mürztal side won 4:2 at Ledna dvorana Maribor thanks to a strong second period. Also on the back of a strong second period, the Kängurus celebrated a commanding 8:3 home win at the beginning of January. Kapfenberg are fighting for the group title in the East Division, while Maribor's season will end after their final three regular-season games, as the Slovenians have long been out of playoff contention.

Maribor head coach Jure Verlič wants his team to give their home fans the best possible farewell: "We are playing our final two home games of the season. We want to fight and win for our fans, who have supported us throughout the season. We know that KSV are a very good and experienced team that have ruthlessly punished our individual mistakes in the last games. They are strong offensively and have a good power play. We have to act with discipline and as a unit defensively in order to protect our goal!"

Kapfenberg player-coach Kristof Reinthaler warns of the offensively strong Foxes: "It is not easy to play away in Maribor. Of course, the team are well adrift in the table, but that also makes them very dangerous, as they have nothing to lose. I think they have always been very dangerous offensively and we simply have to play consistently, while under no circumstances neglecting our defence. So it is all about full concentration again, but I am confident that we can build on our performances. Above all, you can see that when we are able to produce our top performances, we play really good ice hockey – and that naturally goes hand in hand with having healthy players, which is the most important thing at the moment!"

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz
Sat., 24 January 2026, 19:00, WEV Arena Heumarkt

For the fifth and final time, the two traditional clubs Wiener Eislauf-Verein and ATSE Graz will face each other this season, this time at the WEV Arena in front of Vienna’s Konzerthaus. Three games were close affairs: in mid-October, the Styrians celebrated a 3:1 home win.

At the end of November, Graz prevailed 3:2 after a penalty shootout at Vienna’s Heumarkt. Shortly before Christmas, Vienna won 3:2 in front of the Konzerthaus. In the last meeting at the beginning of January, the Viennese ultimately prevailed 6:3 thanks to an impressive opening period at the Liebenau Bunker. For WEV, who face an extremely intense schedule of three games in three days this weekend, and ATSE Graz, the main priority is to find their form and put the finishing touches in place for the playoffs.

ATSE head coach Markos Losch is looking forward to the clash with Vienna at the Heumarkt alongside his team: “As we have always performed well in Vienna this year, we will try to win this game. With the playoffs in mind, it will be important for us to follow our tactical instructions in order to be well prepared. With quick transition play, we can achieve a win!”

HDK Maribor vs. ATSE Graz
Sun., 25 January 2026, 15:00, Ledna dvorana Maribor

After the game against Kapfenberg on Sunday, HDK Maribor will take on ATSE Graz in the Styrian derby between the partner cities in the East Division. Graz lead 3:1 in the four meetings so far this season. At the end of October, Hokejsko Drsalni Klub edged a narrow 2:1 home victory, after which tempers flared and penalties rained down.

The second meeting went 3:1 to ATSE. Shortly before Christmas, the Eggenberg side celebrated a 10:1 rout, with numerous penalty minutes once again handed out in a heated game despite the clear result. In the last meeting on Epiphany, the Eggenberg side secured the final playoff spot in the East with a hard-fought 2:1 away win in Maribor.

Jure Verlič, head coach of HDK Maribor, knows that his team must improve its finishing in order to compete against ATSE: “We had close games against Graz, but were unable to score many goals. We want to play strongly in defence and take our offensive chances. Recently, we have not scored many goals despite having more than 30 shots per game. We have to improve in all zones to be successful!”

ATSE Graz head coach Markus Losch expects a hard-fought derby in Slovenia: “On Sunday, we have our final regular-season game in Maribor. We will rest some players in this game so that we can go into the playoffs with a strong line-up. It will certainly be a tough game, as Maribor will want to end their season with a home win. We have to try to approach this game with focus so as not to be caught out. With a normal performance, we can certainly win the game!”

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sun., 25 January 2026, 18:30, muki Arena

The UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden face the Wiener Eislauf-VereinAt the end of October, the reigning champions from Upper Austria celebrated a narrow 2:1 victory at Steffl Arena 3. The match at Lake Traunsee at the end of November was also fiercely contested, with the Sharks only sealing the 3:1 win eight seconds from the end through an empty-net goal by Ian Motil.

Three days before Christmas Eve, the Viennese made a real statement with a clear 4:0 away win in Gmunden. On Epiphany, they backed up that away victory with a narrow 4:2 home win at the WEV Arena on Heumarkt. While the Upper Austrians can keep their final chance of finishing first in the East alive – level on points, league leaders Kapfenberg hold all the advantages with two games in hand – the clash with the defending champions is primarily about fine-tuning for the playoffs for the Viennese.

Gregor Baumgartner, Head Coach of the Sharks Gmunden, knows that first place in the standings is all but gone and wants to use the remaining games to find form: "We want to make the best possible use of the game against WEV and the remaining game of the regular season to prepare for the tough playoff games. WEV are the ideal opponents for this, as the games are always very intense and physical!"

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

EHC Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Fri, 23 January, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl - >> to the livestream

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Fri, 23 January, 19:45, Eisarena Kufstein - >> to the livestream

EHC Lustenau vs. Dornbirner EC Bulldogs
Sat, 24 January 2026, 17:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau - >> to the livestream

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Kundl
Sun, 25 January 2026, 12:00, Eisstadion Hohenems - >> to the livestream

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division EAST:

KSV Kängurus vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Fri, 23 January, 20:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg - >> Watch the live stream

HDK Maribor vs. KSV Kängurus
Sat, 24 January 2026, 18:30, Ledna dvorana Maribor - >> Watch the live stream

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz
Sat, 24 January 2026, 19:00, WEV Arena Heumarkt - >> Watch the live stream

HDK Maribor vs. ATSE Graz
Sun, 25 January 2026, 15:00, Ledna dvorana Maribor - >> Watch the live stream

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sun, 25 January 2026, 18:30, muki Arena - >> Watch the live stream

Ö Eishockey Liga format 2025/2026

The Ö Eishockey Liga began the new season on 4 October 2025 with its first matchday. In its fifth year, the format in Phase 1 will change across the two divisions: West, with six teams, and East, with five teams. In the East Division, the upcoming season will feature two-and-a-half home-and-away rounds, resulting in 20 games per team. In the West Division, as in the previous season, two home-and-away rounds will be played, also resulting in 20 games per team.

After Phase 1, there will once again be a cross-regional play-off, beginning with the quarter-finals on 07 February 2026. The upcoming season will again see a play-off pick add extra excitement after the regular season. The highest-ranked team in each of the West and East Divisions may choose their quarter-final opponent from the third- or fourth-placed team in the other division. From the quarter-finals through the semi-finals to the final, the play-off match-ups will be decided in best-of-three series (H/A/H) from the upcoming season onwards.

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

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