EHC Kundl on course for the play­offs after a clear win over the Dorn­birn Bull­dogs

For the fourth time this season, the Dornbirner EC Bulldogs and EHC Kundltheir sticks. For the Vorarlberg side, it was also their final home game of the season. Kundl were on top from the outset and got off to a flying start with two quick goals, Simon Brandner picked out the top right corner from the slot for 1:0 (7nd minute). Just under two minutes later, Daniel Jakubitzka fired home clinically for 2:0 (9th minute). The Tyroleans controlled the game, while goaltender Johann Bauer did not concede in the first period.

The visitors remained the dominant team in the second period. Dornbirn kept up the pace but were not efficient enough in front of the opposition goal. Kundl patiently waited for further chances and, following a line-change error by the Vorarlberg side, three Kundl players found themselves in front of DEC netminder Kevin Wanger, with Michal Kluka putting the puck over the line to make it 3:0 (29nd minute). As the Unterinntal side hemmed the Bulldogs into their defensive zone, Valentin Ploner was perfectly placed to score for 4:0 just under three minutes before the end of the period (38th minute).

In the final minute, Alessandro Togni burst past the Kundl defence at speed and poked the puck into the net with his long stick for 1:4 with 44 seconds remaining before the second buzzer (40.). In the final period, Raphael Bruimann superbly sent the puck into the net from the left face-off circle to make it 5:1 (50.). With four skaters aside on the ice, Jakob Wetzelsberger scored Kundl’s 6:1 (55.). That was also the final score. Kundl overtook Wattens in the standings and now sit in the final available ÖEL playoff spot, two points ahead of the Penguins with a game in hand.

Hohenems edge Wattens in overtime

The WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins welcomed SC Samina Hohenemsin the heated clash with their open-air counterparts. After exactly 63 seconds, the Steinböcke took a 1:0 lead, with former Wattens player Ricards Purins of all people turning the puck over the line from close range (2nd minute). A little more than two minutes later, the Penguins hit back, with Dominic Riedl converting a cross-ice pass to make it 1:1 (4th minute).

The opening minutes remained turbulent: Erik Ockert restored Hohenems’ lead at 2:1 with a superb long-range shot from the left (8nd minute). Once again, Wattens did not take long to respond: Daniel Frischmann drove into the slot to level the score at 2:2 for the home side (9th minute). Both teams then settled down, with both goaltenders – Isaac Schönthaler for the Penguins and Karlo Škec for Hohenems – keeping out any further goals until the first siren.  

In the second period, neither team gave an inch for a long time, with the game remaining finely poised. Five and a half minutes before the end of the period, Patrick Spannring launched a quick counter-attack, played a one-two with Benjamin Kyllönen and scored from the slot to give SC Hohenems a 3:2 lead (35th minute). Wattens battled their way back into the game in the final period, with David Schwarzer levelling at 3:3 from close range (45th minute).

Once again, the Tyroleans were unable to enjoy the equaliser for long, with Ricards Purins again pouncing on a rebound to make it 4:3 (48nd minute). The hosts refused to be shaken off and levelled the score for the fourth time that evening just moments later: Luca Muigg fired home to make it 4:4 (49th minute). Neither team was able to score the winner in regulation time, sending the contest into overtime and ultimately to a penalty shoot-out.

Ricards Purins and Patrick Spannring scored for the Steinböcke in the shootout to secure the Vorarlberg side the additional point with a 5:4 victory. The Penguins claimed an important point in the long-distance battle with Kundl for the final playoff place.

EHC Lustenau celebrate fourth win in fourth meeting against HC Kufstein

For the fourth and final time, West Division leaders EHC Lustenau and current second-placed side HC Kufstein, for the second time at Lustenau’s Rheinhalle. Both teams failed to convert their first respective power plays. Then Jonas Kutzer took matters into his own hands at his own blue line, carried the puck down the right in front of the Kufstein goal and converted his own rebound with a backhander to make it 1:0 for the home side (9.).

The Dragons quickly found the right response: after a fine combination, Florian Eder fired from the slot to make it 1:1 (12.). The Tyroleans responded, with Patrick Hager catching Lustenau netminder Lukas Reihs off guard with a long-range shot from the left to make it 2:1 just a minute and a half later (13.). Tempers flared for the first time towards the end of the period, as Lustenau player Dominic Haberl and HCK forward Valentin Hammerle exchanged a few pleasantries.

Little changed in the nature of the game in the second period, with both teams engaged in an intense battle and the approaching playoffs already somewhat palpable at the Rheinhalle. The Lions equalised early on: Lucas Haberl deflected a Felix Zipperle shot to make it 2:2 (22.).

Just 54 seconds later, the visitors were back in front, as Tomáš Vildumetz scored from the slot to make it 3:2 (23.). Shortly afterwards, the home side used a power play to equalise again, with Riku Tiainen hammering a one-timer from the right face-off circle into the near corner for 3:3 (26.). This time, Lustenau pressed on, and Manuel Metzler scored from the slot to make it 4:3, giving them the lead for the first time (29.). The match remained a fiercely contested thriller heading into the final period.

When Adem Kandemir deflected a Felix Zipperle shot to make it 5:3, the league leaders had a two-goal advantage for the first time (46.). Following a fine move, Manuel Metzler made it 6:3 with a superb wrist shot to effectively seal the result (51.). In a match featuring numerous penalties, Stefan Reiter pulled one back for Kufstein with a fine shot from the right face-off circle a minute and a half before the end, making it 4:6 (59.); Lustenau ultimately celebrated their fourth win in four meetings.

Division East:

Sharks Gmunden celebrate convincing win at ATSE Graz

The ATSE Graz faced defending champions for the fifth and final time in the Division East regular season on Saturday, UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden. Both teams played openly from the outset, with attacks and scoring chances at both ends as well as intense duels. The match offered a small taste of the ÖEL playoffs, which are due to begin soon, in the opening period.

The Sharks from Lake Traun converted their first power-play opportunity in unconventional fashion: following a swift attack, Bastian Szieber put Gmunden 1:0 ahead with a precise shot (10.) Just 43 seconds later, the defending champions extended their lead to 2:0, as Paul Pirklbauer sent ATSE netminder Artur Striedinger the wrong way with a fine deke before sliding the puck over the line (11.). Shortly before the first intermission, the Sharks struck again on the power play: Hubert Berger made it 3:0 from close range 45 seconds before the first siren (20.).

Graz got on the scoresheet early in the second period: Tobias Fellner reduced the deficit from close range to make it 1:3 for ATSE (23.). The match continued to be defined by intense battles for every inch of ice. Following a swift attack, Bastian Szieber fired from the right face-off circle and found the far corner to make it 4:1 for the reigning champions (35.).

The Styrians were unable to turn the game around in the final period; on the contrary, the Sharks controlled the match and extended their lead to 5:1 through Elias Koller, who scored from his knees following a swift attack (51.). The visitors had not yet satisfied their hunger for goals, and Nicolai Obojes made it 6:1 on the power play from the right face-off circle (58.), which was also the final score. Gmunden remain level on points with league leaders Kapfenberg, but have played two more games than the Kängurus.

KSV Kängurus give WEV no chance

For the third time this season, the KSV Kängurus and the Wiener Eislauf-Verein met in Division East on Saturday. Both teams were evenly matched in the opening minutes, engaging in a balanced battle and producing energetic duels. WEV took the lead, with Rupert Fichtinger taking the puck on the volley after it rebounded off the boards from a shot and scoring to make it 1:0 (13.).

The Kängurus equalised shortly afterwards: after his brother Manuel won a face-off on the right, Stefan Trost hammered a one-timer into the net to make it 1:1 (16.).

As at all other ÖEL venues on Saturday evening, there was a hint of playoff atmosphere in the air at the Stadthalle Kapfenberg during the second period. Neither team let up, giving their opponents little space or time, while two strong netminders faced each other: Oliver Zirngast for Kapfenberg and Moritz Merkader for WEV. Just after the halfway point of the match, Lukas Winkler fired from the slot and Phileas Lyssy, stationed in front of goal, deflected it to make it 2:1 for Kapfenberg (32.).

The Mürz Valley side pressed on and extended their lead to two goals in the second period: after winning a power-play face-off on the left, Stefan Trost scored on his second attempt from the slot with a superb shot to make it 3:1 (38.).

In the final period, the league leaders picked up where they had left off in the middle period: after 42 seconds, Michael Malle scored with a beautiful wrap-around to make it 4:1 (41nd minute). WEV were unable to respond, and Kapfenberg extended their lead. Kevin Moderer made it 5:1 on a 5:3 power play (53rd minute) as they ultimately celebrated a convincing victory.

Sharks Gmunden win in overtime after KSV comeback charge

As early as Friday, league leaders KSV Kängurus in the East Division faced defending champions UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden for the fourth time this season, in their third head-to-head meeting within twelve days.

Both teams made a brisk start to the clash, with the visitors taking the lead: after Gmunden had failed to score on their first power play, Moritz Neurauter found the net from the slot on their second attempt to make it 1:0 for the Sharks, having started the sequence himself with a shot (8th minute). Kapfenberg maintained the high tempo but were also unable to score on their first power play, while the Sharks from Lake Traun remained dangerous on the counter. Moritz Neurauter capitalised on one such counterattack, winning the puck in the neutral zone before skating into the offensive zone and scoring from the right face-off circle to make it 2:0 (18th minute).

The game continued to be played at pace by both teams in the second period. KSV netminder Felix Nußbacher made two outstanding saves on a double chance for the Upper Austrians to prevent 3:0. Shortly afterwards, the Styrians pulled back to 1:2, with Manuel Trost scoring from the slot after a brilliant save by Sharks goalie Tobias Windhofer and the ensuing rebound (26th minute). The hosts could not enjoy the goal for long: just 61 seconds later, Bastian Szieber fired home on a counterattack following a pass from Paul Pirklbauer to make it 3:1 (27th minute).

The visitors continued to be extremely dangerous on the counter and extended their lead to three goals just two seconds after the halfway point: Dominik Stöttner set up Fabian Richter with a perfect cross-ice pass, and he scored from close range to make it 4:1 (31st minute). The Sharks played with plenty of bite in the middle period and struck again on the next counterattack: Moritz Neurauter caught goalie Nußbacher off guard with a shot shortly after entering the offensive zone to make it 5:1 (34th minute). Two minutes later, the Kängurus found renewed hope: Lukas Telsnig unleashed a rocket from the blue line to make it 2:5 (36th minute).

At the start of the final period, the Sharks came through a tricky spell of two consecutive penalty kills. The pace remained high: the Mürztal side were now forced to play even more offensively. Gmunden kept their defensive zone under control. Kapfenberg closed the gap on a power play, with Lukas Draschkowitz converting on the backhand to make it 3:5 and setting up a thrilling finish (54th minute).

Shortly before the end, the Kängurus pulled their goalie, and Manuel Trost swept the puck over the line on the backhand to make it 4:5 and ensure a dramatic finish (59th minute). Kapfenberg continued to press and did indeed equalise: Kevin Moderer forced the puck over the line 54 seconds before the end to make it 5:5 (60th minute). The top-of-the-table clash went to overtime, where Moritz Neurauter hit the turbo from his own zone, scored the 6:5 winner after a superb solo rush and capped his outstanding display with his fourth goal (62nd minute).

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

Dornbirner EC Bulldogs vs. EHC Kundl 1:6 (0:2,1:2,0:2)
Sun, 18 January 2026, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn
Goalscorer, Dornbirner EC: Alessandro Togni (39:16 min.)
Goalscorers, EHC Kundl: Simon Brandner (06:37 min.), Daniel Jakubitzka (08:26 min.), Michal Kluka (28:41 min.), Valentin Ploner (37:09 min.), Raphael Bruimann (49:10 min.), Jakob Wetzelsberger (54:42 min.)

EHC Lustenau vs. HC Kufstein 6:4 (1:2,3:1,2:1)
Sat, 17 January 2026, 17:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau
Goalscorers, EHC Lustenau: Jonas Kutzer (08:56 min.), Lucas Haberl (21:41 min.), Riku Tiainen (25:58 min./PP1), Manuel Metzler (28:31 min., 50:47 min.), Adem Kandemir (45:43 min.)
Goalscorers, HC Kufstein: Florian Eder (11:08), Patrick Hager (12:29), Tomáš Vildumetz (22:35), Stefan Reiter (58:32)

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. SC Samina Hohenems 4:5 after a penalty shoot-out (2:2,0:1,2:1,0:0,0:1)
Sat., 17 January 2026, 19:30, Alpenstadion Wattens
Wattens Penguins scorers: Dominic Riedl (03:18), Daniel Frischmann (08:47), David Schwarzer (44:39), Luca Muigg (48:54)
SC Hohenems scorers: Ricards Purins (01:03, 47:09, 65:00/decisive penalty), Eric Ockert (07:20), Patrick Spannring (34:23)

Ö Eishockey Liga – Division EAST:

ATSE Graz vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden 1:6 (0:3,1:1,0:2)
Sat., 17 January 2026, 19:00, Graz Merkur Eisstadion (Hall A)
ATSE Graz scorer: Tobias Fellner (22:27)
Sharks Gmunden scorers: Bastian Szieber (09:29/PP1, 34:35), Paul Pirklbauer (10:12), Hubert Berger (19:15/PP1), Elias Koller (49:58), Nicolai Obojes (57:04/PP1)

KSV Kängurus vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein 5:1 (1:1,2:0,2:0)
Sat., 17 January 2026, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg
KSV Kängurus scorers: Stefan Trost (15:22, 37:48/PP1), Phileas Lyssy (31:06), Michael Malle (40:42), Kevin Moderer (52:04/PP2)
Wiener Eislauf-Verein scorer: Rupert Fichtinger (12:41)

KSV Kängurus vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden 5:6 after overtime (0:2,2:3,3:0,0:1)
Fri., 16 January 2026, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg
KSV Kängurus scorers: Manuel Trost (25:51, 58:14), Lukas Telsnig (35:17), Lukas Draschkowitz (53:45/PP1), Kevin Moderer (59:06)
Sharks Gmunden scorers: Moritz Neurauter (07:10, 17:35, 33:16, 61:56), Bastian Szieber (26:52), Fabian Richter (30:02)

Ö Eishockey Liga format 2025/2026

The Ö Eishockey Liga began the new season with the first matchday on 4 October 2025. In its fifth year, the format in the two divisions – West with six teams and East with five teams – will undergo a change in Phase 1. In the East Division, there will be a two-and-a-half home-and-away round robin next season, resulting in 20 games per team. In the West Division, as in the previous season, two home-and-away round robins will be played, likewise resulting in 20 games per team.

Following Phase 1, there will once again be an inter-regional playoff, beginning with the quarter-finals on 07 February 2026. The playoff pick will also provide additional excitement after the regular season in the coming campaign. The highest-placed team in each of the West and East Divisions may select its quarter-final opponent from the team placed third or fourth in the other division. From the quarter-finals through the semi-finals to the final, the playoff match-ups will be decided in Best-of-Three series (H/A/H) from the coming season onwards.

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

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