Fixture list confirmed! Ö Eishockey Liga gets under way in the West Divi­sion on 7 October with two block­buster clashes

The ÖEL begins its new season with the first round in the West Division on Saturday, 7 October 2023. Two attractive games are on the schedule straight away. 

League newcomers Dornbirn face HC Kufstein at the Messehalle, while runners-up SC Samina Hohenems host VEU Feldkirch at the Herrenried-Stadion. This heated encounter proved a fan magnet last season. In Hohenems, more than 1.300 fans on one occasion and more than 1.500 on another created an exceptional atmosphere. The derby is also particularly intriguing because new Hohenems head coach Thomas Sticha most recently coached VEU Feldkirch and immediately led the young side into the play-offs.

The third game of the opening matchday in the West has been postponed until 14 November. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins will face EHC Crocodiles Kundl. The Penguins will play their first five league games away from home, as ice will not be available at the Alpenstadion until the beginning of November. 

The second matchday also features a Vorarlberg derby, with VEU Feldkirch taking on Dornbirner Eishockey Club.

East Division starts on 14 October 2023

One week later, on 14 October 2023, the East Division also gets under way. ATSE Graz take on Kapfenberger SV, who are regarded as one of the title favourites again this season after winning their division convincingly and reaching the semi-finals last season. 

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions face Wiener Eislauf-Verein, while UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden host UHT Dukes Graz.

The emotionally charged Upper Styria derby between Kapfenberger SV and EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions takes place in the East Division as early as the second matchday. The battle for the play-off places in the Ö Eishockey Liga – the top four teams in each division qualify for the quarter-finals – begins in the opening rounds and once again promises attractive, high-scoring ice hockey games in a great atmosphere.

The first three rounds in the West Division

1st matchday:

Dornbirner Eishockey Club vs. HC Kufstein

Sat, 07 October 2023

SC Samina Hohenems 1974 vs. VEU Feldkirch

Sat, 07 October 2023

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Tue, 14 November 2023

2nd matchday:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems 1974

Fri, 13 October 2023

VEU Feldkirch vs. Dornbirner Eishockey Club

Sat, 14 October 2023

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Sat, 14 October 2023

3rd matchday:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. Dornbirner Eishockey Club

Fri, 20 October 2023

VEU Feldkirch vs. HC Kufstein

Sat, 21 October 2023

SC Samina Hohenems 1974 vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Sat, 21 October 2023

The first three rounds in the East Division

1st matchday:

ATSE Graz vs. Kapfenberger SV

Sat, 14 October 2023

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat, 14 October 2023

UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden vs. UHT Dukes Graz

Sat, 14 October 2023

2nd matchday:

UHT Dukes Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat, 21 October 2023

UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden vs. ATSE Graz

Sat, 21 October 2023

Kapfenberger SV vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions

Sat, 21 October 2023

3rd matchday:

ATSE Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat., 28 October 2023

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. UHT Dukes Graz

Sat., 28 October 2023

UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden vs. Kapfenberger SV

Sat., 28 October 2023

The regular-season schedule for the ÖEL Division East can be found in the attachment below. Subject to any fixture changes.

Ö Eishockey Liga format 2023/2024

For the third year, the format in the two divisions, West and East, each with six teams, will remain unchanged in Phase 1. As in the previous season, Division West will play two home-and-away rounds, resulting in 20 games per team. 

In Division East, a 1,5 home-and-away round will be played, with the teams playing 15 games.

After Phase 1, an inter-regional playoff will once again take place. The top four teams in both divisions will qualify for the quarter-finals. 

New in the coming season will be the playoff pick, which is intended to add extra excitement. The highest-ranked team in each of the West and East divisions may choose its quarter-final opponent from the team placed third or fourth in the other division. 

Starting with the quarter-finals, the playoffs will once again be played in the Champions Hockey League format, with home and away legs. The teams advancing will be determined by the aggregate score after two games. The new Ö Eishockey Liga champion will be decided on 16 March 2024.

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Schedules