EHC Kundl defeat Dorn­birner EC – HC Kufstein keep their chance of finishing second

Returning to the league and ÖEL inaugural champions of the 2021/2022 season – WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins faced HC Kufstein in a rematch in their final game of the season on Friday. Sunday's encounter was a spectacular goal fest, which the Dragons eventually won 9:6. 

This time, the opening minutes were a cagey affair, with Wattens successfully killing off an early penalty. After the defensive units and goaltenders Wotan Knecht for Wattens and Patrick Fuchs for Kufstein had initially performed well at both ends, the Dragons took a 1:0 lead four and a half minutes before the first buzzer, Canadian goalscorer Ethan Browne finding the net from close range after a scramble in front of goal (16 min.). The hosts responded soon afterwards, with Pavel Soukharev scoring 1:1 with a well-placed long-range shot (19 min.).

The visitors made the better start to the second period. David Hrazdira launched an attack and passed to Clemens Paulweber, who fired home from the right face-off circle to make it 2:1 to Kufstein after exactly four minutes (25.). The Penguins then came through a difficult spell of being shorthanded for a lengthy 3:5. That gave the home side a lift and they equalised: once again, it was Pavel Soukharev who converted Michael Markart’s perfect pass to make it 2:2 (34.). 

With a quick double in the final period, Kufstein opened up a two-goal lead. First, Clemens Paulweber made it 3:2 from the slot (46 minutes), before Manuel Eder tucked the puck home from close range for 4:2 (47 minutes). The game was decided in Kufstein’s favour when captain Dominique Saringer made it 5:2 with a textbook shorthander (49 minutes). 

The Fortress Town side added another, with Florian Eder finishing off a swift attack to make it 6:2 (54nd minute). Wattens pulled one back shortly before the end through Noah Polig to make it 3:6 (58th minute). Kufstein now have the upper hand in the long-distance battle with SC Hohenems for second place in the table. The Vorarlberg side face EHC Lustenau in the derby on Saturday and can secure second spot with a point.

An important factor for the quarter-finals: by finishing second, the teams avoid a possible selection by the Division East table-toppers – WEV or defending champions Kapfenberg.

EHC Crocodiles Kundl defeat Dornbirner EC

The EHC Crocodiles Kundl welcomed Dornbirner EC for the final meeting of the season. The Tyroleans made a dream start when Fabio Müller was perfectly positioned in the slot following a cross-ice pass and gave Bulldogs netminder David Bernhard no chance to make it 1:0 after exactly 41 seconds (1.). The Crocodiles controlled the game and added another: this time, Simon Brandner scored from the slot following an attack to make it 2:0 (7.). Kundl were dominant in the opening period but failed to add another goal.

At the start of the second period, Dornbirn were back in the game: Danny Madlener converted a rebound from close range at the left corner to make it 1:2 (22nd minute). Johann Bauer had now taken over in goal for the home side in place of Jakub Kostelny. As in the first 20 minutes, the Lower Inn Valley side lacked sufficient urgency in attack, while Dornbirn goaltender David Bernhard made some fine saves. Overall, the Vorarlberg side were also able to make the game much more open after pulling one back and maintained their narrow deficit.

Exactly four minutes into the final period, the score was 2:2 as Theo Riedler scored for Dornbirn following a quick attack from the right face-off circle (45nd minute). Kundl responded on the power play: Sebastian Schild was in exactly the right place to put the Crocodiles back in front at 3:2 (47th minute). Simon Brandner then made it 4:2 for the home side after a fine solo run (49th minute). 

The Vorarlberg side refused to give up, and the goal to pull one back made the game exciting again: the Bulldogs suddenly broke three-on-one towards the Kundl goal, and Danny Madlener made it 3:4 (52nd minute). After successfully killing off a penalty, Lion Ramoser put the puck away at the second attempt to make it 5:3 and seal the result (59th minute). 

Kundl, in fourth place, are a possible selection for the Division East table-toppers – WEV or defending champions Kapfenberg. The playoff pick will take place on Sunday, when the quarter-final match-ups will be confirmed.

Ö Eishockey Liga – Division West:

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. HC Kufstein 3:6 (1:1,1:1,1:4)

Fri, 31 January 2025, 19:30, Eislauplatz Wattens

Wattens Penguins goalscorers:Pavel Soukharev (18:47, 33:18), Noah Polig (57:17)

HC Kufstein scorers:Ethan Browne (15:25), Clemens Paulweber (24:00, 45:07), Manuel Eder (46:29), Dominique Saringer (48:38/SH1), Florian Eder (53:01)

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. Dornbirner EC 5:3 (2:0,0:1,3:2)

Fri, 31 January 2025, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

EHC Kundl scorers:Fabio Müller (00:41), Simon Brandner (06:11, 48:37), Sebastian Schild (46:19/PP1), Lion Ramoser (58:42)

Dornbirner EC scorers:Danny Madlener (21:43, 51:35), Theo Riedler (44:00)

EHC Lustenau vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sat, 01 February 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle

Ö Eishockey Liga - Eastern Division:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. HDK Maribor

Sat, 01 February 2025, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

KSV Kängurus vs. ATSE Graz

Sat, 01 February 2025, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

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

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