HC Kufstein gain derby revenge against EHC Crocodiles Kundl

HC Kufstein edged the heated district derby against EHC Crocodiles Kundl 1:0 in the Division West on Friday. Division leaders EHC Lustenau face Dornbirner EC in the next Ländle derby on Saturday. To top it all off, the Wattens Penguins host SC Samina Hohenems. In the Division East, Wiener Eislauf-Verein challenge leaders Sharks Gmunden in Saturday's top clash. Defending champions Kapfenberger SV face ATSE Graz in a back-to-back match.

06 December 20247 min read

District derby time on St Nicholas Day in the Division West: HC Kufstein welcomed local rivals in front of more than 800 fans on Friday.EHC Crocodiles Kundl in front of more than __OEHV_NUM_E_A__ fans on Friday. The Crocodiles had won the first meeting of the season on 25 October 4:3 in overtime after an exciting and fiercely contested game.

In the second meeting, the Dragons were highly dominant from the opening shift, at times pinning their opponents in their own zone and peppering Kundl netminder Jakub Kostelny with shots. Kundl had their best moment with a chance for a shorthanded goal during their first penalty kill. The hosts were also unable to convert their second power-play opportunity into a goal towards the end of the first period.

Kufstein continued to launch attack after attack in the second period, while the Crocodiles were primarily occupied with defending their territory. This set-up ensured that the second district derby remained extremely exciting. Then Head Coach Jaroslav Betka's team had their first power play, but lacked focus.

Kufstein then raised the tempo again. Kundl were unable to clear their zone for minutes, but had built a fortress around their own net in the Fortress City. Kufstein were not clinical enough in front of the opposition goal. Five minutes before the end of the period, the Crocodiles were unable to make use of their second power play. The logical result: after 40 minutes, it was still 0:0.

Little changed in the nature of the game in the third period. Kufstein were on top. Kundl, who had travelled with a short line-up of twelve skaters, stood their ground. The Dragons failed to make the most of their third power play to finally take the lead, but remained patient. On the next power play, Fabian Nußbaumer fired from just behind the blue line and scored for 1:0 with six minutes remaining (55.).

39 seconds before the final buzzer, Kundl pulled netminder Kostelny, but could not find an equaliser. HC Kufstein narrowly won the district derby against EHC Crocodiles Kundl 1:0 and gained revenge for their 3:4 overtime away defeat at the end of October.

EHC Lustenau vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat, 07 December 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle

The Division West serves up the next derby on Saturday, this time in the Ländle: leaders EHC Lustenau host Dornbirner EC. The young Bulldogs travel with confidence to the Rheinhalle, just around five kilometres away, following last Sunday's sensational derby victory over Hohenems – also their first win of the season.

Lustenau quickly returned to winning ways after their derby defeat to the Steinböcke in Herrenried against HC Kufstein, but had to battle hard for a long time against the impressive Tyroleans to secure the three points.

"After a very bumpy start, the Bulldogs have now gradually found their stride. For me, the 4:3 win is not such a sensation, as they repeatedly showed very good ice hockey at times. Unfortunately, they have so far been unable to fulfil their potential over 60 minutes and have at times been beaten below their true value," said EHC coach Dániel Fekete.

"We certainly will not do Dornbirn the favour of underestimating them. We want to remain unbeaten at home and show power hockey in the Rheinhalle from the first minute," Fekete added.

Dornbirn enjoyed a derby highlight on Sunday, capped by a relieving late strike: Matheo Sottopietro fired the puck into the net from the left face-off circle against Hohenems with 13 seconds remaining in overtime to make it 4:3. A goal that made a statement! Head Coach Jaroslav Husar’s team will need a similar performance in Lustenau if they are to make people forget the first meeting, which the Lions won convincingly 7:0.

Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger wants his team to keep their feet on the ground following the breakthrough of their first win: "This weekend, we are away to the league leaders, who have hardly dropped any points so far. We may have won in overtime against a strong Hohenems side, but we know that we need to keep our feet on the ground and continue to work hard on our game. I admit that this success was very important for the team, but equally so for all the helpers, supporters and spectators. Every game involves an element of luck, and this time we earned that luck. It will be very difficult for us again in Lustenau this weekend, as Lustenau have often shown their class this season. The first game at home was also a clear-cut affair. We are heading to our neighbouring municipality with confidence and will work hard again!"

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sat, 07 December 2024, 19:30, Alpenstadion

For the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins Saturday’s home game at the Alpenstadion against current Division West runners-up SC Samina Hohenems is hugely important: keeping in touch with the play-off places is the order of the day for the players from the Crystal City. The Penguins recently suffered a 2:6 defeat to Kundl, but two full victories in their previous two home games against Dornbirn and the Crocodiles showed that it is not easy for visiting teams to take points from the Alpenstadion.

SC Hohenems are looking to make amends in Tyrol following their painful derby defeat to the ever-improving Bulldogs from Dornbirn. Last season’s runners-up go into the third meeting of the campaign as favourites – the Steinböcke won both home games 9:2 and 8:2.

Hohenems Head Coach Thomas Sticha is calling on his side to return to straightforward attacking play against Wattens: "The derby at the weekend clearly exposed our current problem. We are too elaborate and want to create a spectacular goal every time. Once we get that out of our heads, I am convinced that we will score the goals needed to win games again. Wattens await us this weekend, another opponent currently on the up, so I am expecting another intense game. I expect the team to show a response after dropping points in Dornbirn."

Division East:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Sat, 07 December 2024, 19:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein face league leaders UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden. ÖEL clashes in the atmospheric WEV Arena in front of Vienna’s Konzerthaus have always guaranteed genuine ice hockey thrillers. Fans also witnessed a fiercely contested, close game in the first home match last Saturday, when Vienna only left the ice as 4:3 winners against HDK Maribor after overtime.

Now the next blockbuster against the Sharks awaits. WEV Head Coach Philipp Ullrich knows the league leaders’ strengths: "From the first meeting against Gmunden, we already know what to expect. They have strengthened their squad very well and, like us, want to play straightforward, high-tempo hockey. We will be ready and are already looking forward to Saturday."

The Traunsee Sharks travel to the federal capital knowing they have the chance to rectify their only minor blemish of the season. The Upper Austrians have suffered their only defeat to date only against WEV, losing 3:4 in a penalty shootout on 09 November. In contrast, they have recorded five wins – including two statement victories over defending champions Kapfenberg.

Sharks Gmunden Head Coach Gregor Baumgartner knows what awaits his team in the open-air clash at the Wiener Eislauf-Verein rink: "It will be a very tough game for us in Vienna. At Heumarkt, the challenge is not only WEV, but also the various distractions. It is extremely important to stay focused. Phillip Ulrich's team plays aggressively and works for the full 60 minutes, so we cannot afford to lose concentration for a single minute!"

KSV Kängurus vs. ATSE Graz

Sat., 07 December 2024, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Defending champions KSV Kängurus host ATSE Graz in the Stadthalle Kapfenberg on Saturday for the back-to-back game. The champions from the Mürztal won last weekend's clash in Graz 7:4. Kapfenberg's current matchup with the Eggenberg side feels a little like a playoff series, as the two opponents will meet again at the Liebenauer Merkur Eisstadion on 19 December, for the third consecutive time.

ATSE Graz already have their backs somewhat against the wall ahead of the away game in the Böhlerstadt. After four consecutive defeats, the players from the Styrian capital find themselves bottom of the table. Five points behind fourth-place Maribor, who currently occupy the playoff spot, with a game in hand, is the position facing last season's semi-finalists ahead of the difficult game against the Kängurus.

ATSE Head Coach Markus Losch is demanding greater consistency from his team: "Having lost to Kapfenberg last weekend, we are hoping for immediate revenge. If we are better organised defensively and do not concede seven goals, it could be an exciting game. We finally need to return to our old virtues and play consistently. We have already had 45-50 good minutes, but unfortunately there are then always too many individual mistakes. The team is already looking forward to the return game!"

HDK Maribor have a bye. The Foxes return to action against UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden on 14 December.

Ö Eishockey Liga – Division West:

HC Kufstein vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl 1:0 (0:0,0:0,1:0)
Fri., 06 December 2024, 19:45, Eisarena Kufstein
HC Kufstein scorer: Fabian Nußbaumer (54:06 min./PP1)

EHC Lustenau vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat., 07 December 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sat., 07 December 2024, 19:30, Alpenstadion