HC Kufstein win derby thriller against EHC Croc­o­diles Kundl

On Friday, EHC Crocodiles Kundl and local rivals HC Kufstein ushered in the new year in the Ö Eishockey Liga in the third district derby of the season at Eisarena Kundl in front of more than 750 fans. The hosts made a dream start: after winning a face-off in their own zone, Matko Pavetic set up Tobias Dinhopel perfectly with a backhand pass. Dinhopel raced into the attacking zone and beat HCK netminder Jakob Sprachmann with a superb shot to make it 1:0 (at 4). 

The Dragons quickly recovered from the early deficit, as goalscorer David Hrazdira appeared in the slot and levelled the scores at 1:1 with a well-placed wrist shot (at 9). Both teams then failed to convert opportunities while holding the numerical advantage. The final minutes of the first period were played at high intensity, with scoring chances at both ends. Kundl had another power play but were unable to add another goal.

The game lost none of its intensity in the second period. The long-standing rivals maintained a good pace with chances rapidly changing ends. Both goaltenders – Jakub Kostelny for the Crocodiles and Jakob Sprachmann for the Dragons – were outstanding. Kundl let another power-play opportunity go to waste. Felix Platzer then hauled down Markus Prock on a Kufstein counter-attack. Valentin Hammerle missed the resulting penalty shot, denied by Kostelny. 

Shortly afterwards, things became truly heated: Lukas Thaler responded to a slash from Dominique Saringer with a slash of his own, with both offences going unpunished. But then the gloves came off: Maximilian Camondo, who confronted Thaler, received a five-minute major and game misconduct penalty. Kundl had a lengthy power play, but Kufstein won possession, Clemens Paulweber broke away and converted the shorthanded chance to make it 2:1 (at 36). 

The home side had to play more offensively in the final period but were unable to make use of two further power plays. The derby remained highly exciting, a true New Year thriller. The Dragons sealed the win on a late power play. Captain Dominique Saringer made it 3:1 from close range following an attack he had initiated himself (at 59). Kundl pulled netminder Kostelny, but Kufstein gave up nothing more and consolidated third place in the standings with the away win.

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Lustenau

Sat, 04 January 2025, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

The Vorarlberg derby between challengers SC Samina Hohenems and league leaders EHC Lustenau at Herrenried on Saturday is the absolute marquee match-up in the Division West and could become a genuine open-air ice hockey celebration. Both teams have won their respective home meetings so far. 

The Lions won 6:2 at the Rheinhalle on National Day in front of more than 1.600 fans. At the end of November, the Steinböcke achieved something special: they handed Lustenau their first and only defeat of the season at Eisstadion Hohenems in front of more than 1.300 fans. Even though there is not much at stake in terms of the standings – Lustenau are comfortably first and Hohenems comfortably second – a fiery, prestigious derby is on the schedule right at the start of the year.

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat, 04 January 2025, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

The WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins face the Dornbirner EC. Ahead of the double-header weekend, the Penguins from the Crystal City are ten points behind the final playoff place, currently held by Kundl ahead of their clash with Kufstein. The Tyroleans and the Vorarlberg side have already met twice this season: Wattens celebrated a 3:1 win away from home at the end of October, before WSG Wattens followed that up with a convincing 9:2 victory at home. 

EHC Lustenau vs. Dornbirner EC

Mon., 06 January 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle

Just 48 hours after the Hohenems match, league leaders EHC Lustenau face Dornbirner EC in the next Ländle derby. On paper, this looks like a clear-cut affair for the Lions from the Rhine. This meeting is the final head-to-head clash of the ÖEL regular season. There have already been three derbies this season, with Lustenau leaving the ice as 7:0, 10:0 and 9:2 winners against the Bulldogs. 

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Mon., 06 January 2025, 18:00, Eisarena Kundl

On Epiphany, EHC Crocodiles Kundl host SC Samina Hohenems at the Eisarena am Inn for the second time. The Vorarlberg side won their most recent meeting shortly before Christmas, 3:1. That was successful revenge for the 2:3 overtime defeat on home ice at the Herrenried at the beginning of November. The Steinböcke are firmly established in second place in the Division West standings, while the Crocodiles will be in a battle from afar with Kufstein for third place following Friday's derby.

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. HC Kufstein

Mon., 06 January 2025, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

The WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins and HC Kufstein conclude the Christmas holiday fixtures in the Ö Eishockey Liga with the Lower Inn Valley derby on Epiphany. The two clubs have crossed sticks only once so far this season. Shortly before Christmas, HC Kufstein won 5:2 at home thanks to a surge in the middle period. 

League returnees Wattens are ten points behind the final playoff place after 13 games ahead of the double-header weekend. By the time the Penguins' match against Kufstein is over, they will know whether they still have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals. Following the derby against Kundl, the Dragons will be looking to remain in the battle for third place with the Crocodiles.

Eastern Division:

HDK Maribor vs. ATSE Graz

Sat, 04 January 2025, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

For HDK Maribor and ATSE Graz the new year in the Eastern Division begins as the old year ended: with a direct clash that has an extremely exciting set-up. Their narrow 3:2 home win before Christmas had brought Graz back into the battle for the final playoff spot. 

Now the two opponents meet again immediately in the derby between the twin cities. The Foxes from the Slovenian city on the Drava are currently in fourth and final playoff place and still hold a two-point lead. ATSE have recorded only two wins this season, both of them at home against Maribor. Before the most recent 3:2, there had been a 6:2 win on National Day. On 09 November, the hosts won 4:1 at Ledena dvorana Maribor.

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sun, 05 January 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

The draw has worked out this way: for UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden and Wiener Eislauf-Verein too, the year 2025 begins as 2024 ended. With their 3:1 win before the turn of the year on 28 December, Vienna had closed to within one point of the league leaders from Traunsee. 

The situation is clear: the direct clash for top spot in the standings at the Muki Eisarena is the absolute showpiece fixture in the Eastern Division. The Upper Austrians have won seven of their ten games so far, with all three defeats coming, of all teams, against the capital side. All three meetings this season have been very close. On 09 November, WEV won 4:3 at Traunsee after a penalty shoot-out, followed by a 2:1 home win for Vienna in December and then the most recent 3:1 victory.

KSV Kängurus vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Mon, 06 January 2025, 18:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Defending champions Kapfenberger SV Kängurus face UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden in the next showpiece fixture in the Eastern Division on Epiphany. Less than 24 hours after the home face-off against WEV, the Sharks will be visiting the Mürz Valley. What Vienna are to the Sharks, Gmunden are to the Kängurus: their "bogey team" this season. 

The reigning champions have lost four of their ten games played, one of them against Maribor in their opening fixture. The other three defeats came against the Upper Austrians. They suffered a narrow 4:5 defeat away from home in October, followed by a 3:7 home loss at the end of November, before going down 1:4 in Gmunden shortly before Christmas.

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz

Mon., 06 January 2025, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein will also have to take to the ice again against ATSE Graz just 24 hours after the face-off at the Sharks Gmunden. The hosts remain unbeaten at the WEV Arena in front of Vienna's Konzerthaus this season. The capital side celebrated a commanding 4:0 victory over Graz in mid-December, while their 5:0 away win in Liebenau in November was even more impressive.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC Kufstein 1:3 (1:1,0:1,0:1)
Fri., 03 January 2025, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl
EHC Crocodiles Kundl goalscorer: Tobias Dinhopel (03:07)
HC Kufstein goalscorers: David Hrazdira (08:45), Clemens Paulweber (35:48/SH1), Dominique Saringer (58:07/PP1)

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Lustenau

Sat., 04 January 2025, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat., 04 January 2025, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

EHC Lustenau vs. Dornbirner EC

Mon., 06 January 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Mon., 06 January 2025, 18:00, Eisarena Kundl

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. HC Kufstein

Mon, 06 January 2025, 19:30, Wattens Ice Rink

Ö Ice Hockey League - Eastern Division:

HDK Maribor vs. ATSE Graz

Sat, 04 January 2025, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sun, 05 January 2025, 18:30, Gmunden Ice Rink

KSV Kängurus vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Mon, 06 January 2025, 18:00, Kapfenberg Town Hall

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz

Mon, 06 January 2025, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

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