HC Kufstein chal­lenge league leaders Lustenau – ATSE Graz aim to keep playoff hopes alive

HC Kufstein vs. EHC Lustenau

Sat., 11 January 2025, 17:35, Eisarena Kufstein

In terms of the standings, the clash between HC Kufstein and EHC Lustenau is the standout fixture of the round in the West Division. For the Tyroleans, qualifying for the playoffs is now merely a formality, with a 13-point lead over Wattens ahead of this matchday. 

The Dragons have not been able to make much of an impact against the Lions, who have lost just one match so far, this season. The two away games were lost 0:4 and 2:7. Only in the home game at the end of November were Head Coach Andreas Luchner's side able to push the Vorarlberg team all the way to the 56-minute mark. Lustenau are the league's goal machine: 102 goals in 16 games equate to an average of 6,3 goals per game. They allow little at the other end too, having conceded just 28 goals. A win would secure first place in the West for them.

Kufstein chairman Roland Luchner knows the Vorarlberg side's strengths, but is also aware of the Dragons' opportunity: "Even if the results do not show it, the previous games against EHC Lustenau were close at times and we were not far away. They have a very good team and an outstanding first line. We need to keep them under control. If you let them get into the game, it is incredibly difficult to stop them. If we manage that and improve our scoring efficiency, we have a chance of causing an upset."

"Kufstein are a very strong home team and play fairly physical ice hockey. We will prepare for that and try to secure first place in the standings as soon as possible," said Dániel Fekete, EHC Lustenau head coach.

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sat., 11 January 2025, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

For the final time in the regular season, SC Samina Hohenems and EHC Crocodiles Kundl cross sticks. The game is a rematch: on Epiphany, the Steinböcke won 4:2 in Kundl to secure their playoff place. 

So far, both teams have won their away games in the head-to-head meetings, with the Crocodiles winning 3:2 in overtime at Herrenried in early November. Shortly before Christmas, the Vorarlberg side won 3:1 in the Lower Inn Valley. Kundl have recently lost three games in a row and currently occupy the final playoff place in the West Division, six points ahead of the Wattens Penguins.

Hohenems head coach Thomas Sticha explains that once again, the fine details on the ice will be decisive: "We played well in Kundl at the start of the week, but needed too many chances to score our goals. Nevertheless, it was a deserved win. There are no major secrets left ahead of the immediate rematch in Hohenems. The fine details will be decisive. Everyone has to be prepared to give everything for the team."

Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier recalls the win at Herrenried: "Unfortunately, we beat ourselves in the last game against Hohenems on Monday in Kundl and made it far too easy for the Vorarlberg side to win through hair-raising errors. We now need to avoid those mistakes. We have already proven this season that we can pick up points in Hohenems!"

Dornbirner EC vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Sun, 12 January 2025, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

For the final time, Dornbirner EC and the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins will also face each other in the regular season. The Tyroleans recently claimed a point with a comeback against HC Kufstein in the final period, keeping their playoff hopes alive. In two head-to-head meetings, the Bulldogs pushed the Penguins close despite 1:3 defeats on both occasions, with only the Wattens side's home opener in mid-November ending in a clear 2:9 defeat. 

Three points are a must for the team from the Crystal City if they are to remain in contention for fourth and final playoff place in the West Division. Dornbirn recently suffered a 3:15 defeat in the derby against Lustenau's offensive firepower.

Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger wants his team to take to the ice fully focused again against Wattens and minimise mistakes: "We now need to get the game against Lustenau out of our minds as quickly as possible and focus on the next game again. Wattens are an opponent on our level and we should be able to keep the points in the Ländle at home. We keep making mistakes that make it easy for our opponents to score goals. The lads have fighting spirit and determination, but the mistakes still need to be minimised if we are to pick up points."

Wattens coach Manfred Burgstaller wants his team to approach matters with focus in Vorarlberg: "This will again be a very difficult away game for us; we also found the last game against Dornbirn very difficult last week. Even though we have already beaten them three times, we have to be fully focused and get the points to remain in the playoff race. Even if that is very difficult to achieve, as long as it is mathematically possible, we will try, and we certainly will not underestimate Dornbirn."

East Division:

ATSE Graz vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Sat, 11 January 2025, 18:30, Merkur Eisstadion

The ATSE Graz will battle the UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden on Saturday to remain in contention for the final playoff place in the East Division. Last season's semi-finalists, who were eliminated by eventual champions Kapfenberg at the time, are currently three points behind HDK Maribor, who have played one game fewer. The long-distance battle will be exciting; if they finish level on points, Graz would have the edge over the club from their Slovenian partner city in the head-to-head record. 

The Eggenberg side, who have only managed two wins against Maribor this year and most recently claimed a point away to the Foxes, are in urgent need of points. The Traunsee Sharks have recently lost three in a row and had to surrender top spot to WEV as a result. In the head-to-head meetings this season, the Upper Austrians, who secured a playoff berth on Monday despite defeat in Kapfenberg, remained victorious by 5:4 and 7:1.

Gregor Baumgartner, Head Coach of the Sharks Gmunden, wants to see hungry Sharks in Graz again: "After the four very tough games against WEV and Kapfenberg, and losing top spot in the table, we need to find our focus again. I liked our style of play better again in the last game against KSV. The important thing will be to play Sharks hockey at pace for 60 minutes. We are confident that we will deliver another good team performance on Saturday!"

KSV Kängurus vs. HDK Maribor

Sat., 11 January 2025, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Defending champions Kapfenberger SV face HDK Maribor for the third time on Saturday. The Kängurus recently claimed two important wins against the two teams above them in the table, WEV and Sharks Gmunden. Above all, the sensational comeback from a 1:4 deficit at home against the Upper Austrians on Epiphany should give the reigning champions from the Mürztal region a real boost for the decisive phase of the season. 

There have been two meetings so far this season. In the opening game in October, Maribor celebrated a sensational 6:5 victory, with Danilo Tomašević's winning goal using the "Michigan Move" 58 seconds before the final buzzer particularly memorable. The game in Kapfenberg was also closely contested, with player-coach Kris Reinthaler's team winning 3:1 at the start of November. While Kapfenberg can now prepare for the playoffs, the Foxes need every point to get there. The Slovenians are currently three points ahead of ATSE Graz in the final quarter-final spot.

Maribor Head Coach Jure Verlič already sees the remaining games as having a playoff feel for his team: "There are not many games left until the end of the regular season, and if we want to make the playoffs, we have to play every game until the final buzzer as if it were a playoff game. We did a good job against Graz and now we move on to Kapfenberg. We expect a tough battle, but if we play as we did last time, we can put ourselves in a good position!"

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sat., 11 January 2025, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

HC Kufstein vs. EHC Lustenau

Sat., 11 January 2025, 17:35, Eisarena Kufstein

Dornbirner EC vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Sun., 12 January 2025, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division East:

ATSE Graz vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Sat., 11 January 2025, 18:30, Merkur Eisstadion

KSV Kängurus vs. HDK Maribor

Sat., 11 January 2025, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

All tables, statistics and schedules for the Ö Eishockey Liga in the Game Centre

Follow the Ö Eishockey Liga on Instagram and Facebook!