EHC Kundl clinch playoff spot against Wattens – Kufstein cele­brate convincing win at SC Hohenems

Friday's Division West blockbuster was EHC Crocodiles Kundl against WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins. Kundl had the chance to clinch their playoff berth in the head-to-head clash. Both teams engaged in an intense battle from the outset, with the momentum swinging back and forth.

The Penguins made the better start: Paul Probst won a battle along the boards in the corner, fired from the right face-off circle and made it 1:0 (6.). The Crocodiles pushed for an equaliser but found it difficult against the visitors' very well-organised defence. Wattens repeatedly posed a threat on the counter-attack.

Late in the first period, the 1:1 did finally come. Following an attack, the puck fell to the completely unmarked Johannes Schernthaner, who gave WSG netminder Wotan Knecht no chance from the slot 17 seconds before the first buzzer (20.).

In the second period, the team led by head coach Jaroslav Betka increased the tempo, but Wattens stood firm and continued to make life difficult for the hosts offensively. At the back, Penguins goaltender Knecht also proved an obstacle for Kundl's forwards in the opening minutes of the middle period, with the post even coming to his rescue once.

Wattens were more efficient in front of the opposition net: Luca Venier was set up perfectly in the slot and made it 2:1 (34.). Towards the end of the period, the Penguins came close to a third goal on the power play. In the final period, the home side continued to press for an equaliser, which eventually came: Matko Pavetić converted a rebound to make it 2:2 (47.).

Two minutes later, Kundl Ice Arena was buzzing: Simon Brandner broke through and scored to give his side a 3:2 lead (49.). The hosts were now on course for the playoffs, but Wattens battled back. Tobias Fender equalised with a fine attacking move to make it 3:3 (54.). The closing minutes were highly dramatic: Kundl killed off a penalty before pressing for the winner.

As it did not come, the match went to overtime and then even to a penalty shootout. Adrian Schuster was the only player to score, sending Kundl into the Ö Eishockey Liga playoffs as the fourth and final team from the Division West with a 4:3 penalty shootout victory.

HC Kufstein celebrate convincing win at SC Hohenems

For the final time in the regular season, SC Samina Hohenems and HC Kufstein crossed sticks on Friday. After a brisk start but without any major scoring chances at either end, the Tyroleans took the lead following a fine move. David Hrazdira played the puck in from the right to the unmarked Clemens Paulweber, who scored the 1:0 for the Dragons with a precise shot (8.).

The Steinböcke tried to build pressure at the start of the second period. However, it was the visitors who scored again. Canadian goal-getter Ethan Browne skated behind the Hohenems net and, with a "Michigan Move", lifted the puck past HSC goaltender Karlo Škec into the near corner to make it 2:0 (23.).

That served as a wake-up call for the Vorarlberg side, who quickly pulled one back. Following a save by Kufstein netminder Jakob Sprachmann, the puck lay loose and Patrick Spannring spectacularly dived to knock it over the line for 1:2 (25.). The Schlittschuhclub pressed for an equaliser on the power play, but could not find one.

Quite the opposite: Valentin Hammerle won the puck, raced clear and coolly fired home a classic shorthander to make it 3:1 for the Festungsstädter (33.). Kufstein added another. Once again, it was Valentin Hammerle who made it 4:1 from close range after winning a face-off (37.).

In the final period, the team led by head coach Andreas Luchner looked to keep the match under control with their three-goal advantage and also killed off a penalty. Hohenems were unable to turn the game around, and after winning a face-off, Maximilian Camondo scored the 5:1 from the slot (53.).

It got even worse for the hosts: Kufstein captain Dominique Saringer set up Philipp Sappl, who extended the lead to 6:1 (57.). Hohenems head coach Thomas Sticha pulled goaltender Karlo Škec for a trial, and David Hrazdira scored an empty-netter for the final score of 7:1 (58.). Kufstein celebrated their sixth consecutive victory and are now just three points behind the Steinböcke in the standings.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins 4:3 after penalties (1:1,0:1,2:1,0:0,1:0)

Fri, 24 January 2025, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

EHC Kundl scorers: Johannes Schernthaner (19:43), Matko Pavetić (46:38), Simon Brandner (48:35), Adrian Schuster (65:00/decisive penalty)

Wattens Penguins scorers: Paul Probst (05:22), Luca Venier (33:45), Tobias Fender (53:38)

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein 1:7 (0:1,1:3,0:3)

Fri, 24 January 2025, 19:00, Eisstadion Hohenems

SC Hohenems scorer: Patrick Spannring (24:00)

HC Kufstein scorers: Clemens Paulweber (07:58), Ethan Browne (22:30), Valentin Hammerle (32:13/SH1, 36:17), Maximilian Camondo (52:41), Philipp Sappl (56:13), David Hrazdira (57:09/EN)

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Dornbirner EC

Sun, 26 January 2025, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

EHC Lustenau vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sun, 26 January 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Sun, 26 January 2025, 17:35, Eisarena Kufstein

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division East:

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. ATSE Graz

Sat, 25 January 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

HDK Maribor vs. KSV Kängurus

Sat, 25 January 2025, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

ATSE Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sun, 26 January 2025, 14:30, Merkur Eisstadion

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HDK Maribor

Sun, 26 January 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

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

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