High drama as WEV face ATSE Graz – HC Kufstein eager for revenge against SC Hohenems

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz

Sat, 16 December 2023, 18:00, WEV Arena – Lothringerstraße 22

Behind leaders Kapfenberg, the East Division could hardly be more exciting. There are exactly three points separating current second-placed ATSE Graz from bottom side UHT Dukes Graz. Three clubs lie in between.

Third-placed Wiener Eislauf-Verein therefore face ATSE Graz in the marquee match-up of the round. Vienna most recently celebrated a narrow 4:3 victory over Sharks Gmunden in another ice hockey spectacle in front of the Vienna Konzerthaus, before having to cancel their away match against Kapfenberg due to too many players being unwell.

The Viennese and the Styrians have already faced each other this season, with Head Coach Mario Kubeczka's team claiming an impressive 9:4 win in Graz at the end of October. ATSE once again came off second in Saturday's city derby against UHT Dukes Graz.

WEV Head Coach Mario Kubeczka looks back fondly on the first meeting of the season: "We produced an almost perfect game in the first match against ATSE. We want to repeat that next Saturday. We are currently working hard on our play in the defensive zone because we had some problems there. I hope that most of my players recover and that we put in a good performance."

Markus Losch, Head Coach of ATSE Graz, is already looking forward to the open-air clash with WEV and knows that his side need to make amends after the derby defeat to the Dukes: "The team is looking forward to the game against WEV at Heumarkt. As we were unable to play to our strengths in last weekend's game against the Dukes, the team is determined to make amends. Against WEV, we must put the team first again and not allow personal sensitivities to take centre stage. If we rediscover our virtues and play fast, simple ice hockey, it will certainly be a good game. We have to embrace the battle and everyone must fight for everyone again!"

UHT Dukes Graz vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions
Sat, 16 December 2023, 19:15, Merkur Eisstadion – Hall B

The UHT Dukes Graz face EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions and, despite sitting bottom of the table, are only three points behind second-placed ATSE Graz. Every head-to-head clash in the East Division behind leaders Kapfenberg is a pivotal fixture and guarantees high drama in the battle for the three remaining play-off places behind the dominant and still flawless Mürztal side.

The Dukes have developed into Graz derby specialists, with the team coached by player-coach Jurica Bednjanec also winning their second duel against ATSE Graz last Saturday. Zeltweg Murtal Lions lost the rescheduled game against the Eggenberg side on Thursday, while their match against Sharks Gmunden had to be cancelled due to too many unwell players in the Upper Austrian team.

The Lions from the Murtal narrowly won the first meeting of the season against the Dukes from Graz at the end of October, 5:4.

Christian Mayerl, Chairman of EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions, wants his team to go all out and is fascinated by the competitiveness behind the Kangaroos: "It is truly sensational how things are shaping up behind Kapfenberg in our group. Probably less fun for the chairmen than for the fans. I hardly dare make a prediction any more; things turn out differently from what is expected anyway. I wish all ill and injured players a speedy recovery so that we can stay on schedule. On Saturday, it is all-out attack and settling the score after 60 minutes. Get the claws out and go full throttle!"

Kapfenberger SV vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 16 December 2023, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

League leaders Kapfenberger SV welcome UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden on Saturday. The Mürztal side dominate the Division East and boast an offensive power that is difficult to stop. No opponent has managed to do so thus far, which is why the team led by player-coach Kris Reinthaler top the table with a nine-point lead.

The Kangaroos won 7:1 away to the Sharks at the end of October. The Upper Austrians narrowly lost at WEV last Friday, but, like all the other clubs, are right in the battle for second to fourth place – which would mean qualifying for the Ö Eishockey Liga play-off quarter-finals.

Kapfenberg goaltender Oliver Zirngast is looking forward to a duel with his Slovenian counterpart in the Sharks' net: "We hope that we can actually play; at the moment, all the clubs are being plagued by the injury and illness devil. I have not seen Gmunden yet this year, but I would really look forward to a duel with Luka Gračnar. We have been training very well and very intensely in recent weeks. We are a close-knit, good group, so everything is going well!"

Gregor Baumgartner, Head Coach of Sharks Gmunden, has set the objective of executing the game plan in the clash with the league leaders: "In Kapfenberg or against Kapfenberg, it is extremely important to play with discipline. I think that if we consistently stick to the game plan, we can at least keep the game close. In any case, it will be a game from which we can once again learn a lot!"

Division West:

Dornbirner EC vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Wed, 13 December 2023, 19:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

The Dornbirner EC face SC Samina Hohenems in the Vorarlberg derby as early as Wednesday.

The young Bulldogs made a lightning start to Sunday's game against VEU Feldkirch and led 2:1 after the first period. In the end, the side from the trade fair city had to concede defeat to the Montfortstadt side by 5:8, but Head Coach Pavel Takač's players showed at times that they can compete well in the Ö Eishockey Liga; they still lack consistency over 60 minutes.

Hohenems won the first two meetings convincingly, so the Steinböcke also head into the third derby of the season as strong favourites.

Thomas Sticha, Head Coach of SC Hohenems, is now very familiar with the Bulldogs: "I hope for a good atmosphere at the ice rink in the derby against Dornbirn. We have played each other several times this year and both sides know each other's strengths and weaknesses."

HC Kufstein vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Sat, 16 December 2023, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein

It has so far been the clash of the season in the West Division: league leaders HC Kufstein host their closest pursuers, SC Samina Hohenems. All three previous meetings have been evenly matched games, which the Vorarlberg side have won.

The Ibex won once away in the fortress city, followed by two real thrillers, each ending in an overtime win for the skating club from the Ländle. In both of these games, Kufstein had victory in sight, but Head Coach Thomas Sticha's team came on strong in the closing stages and turned both games around at the familiar Herrenried-Stadion.

The Tyroleans are still sitting pretty at the top of the table, but their one-point lead comes with two more games played. Head Coach Ivo Novotny's team are eager for their first win over Hohenems after three narrow defeats.

Roland Luchner, Chairman of the Board & Board Member for Marketing at HC Kufstein is finally looking for the first win against the Vorarlberg side: "We have come off the ice as losers in each of the three meetings so far. That is set to change on Saturday. The last two overtime defeats in particular have shown us that we are absolutely evenly matched. Before the season, we saw things differently; with their squad, Hohenems were in a league of their own. But we have done our homework and are pleased that we have been able to close the gap. It will certainly be another fierce battle."

SC Hohenems Head Coach Thomas Sticha is expecting another ice hockey spectacle in the match of the round: "We have only just played Kufstein and know that they can play at a high tempo. These are the games that are really fun. The team will be ready and give 100 per cent in Kufstein. If we play from the start as we did for the final 20 minutes in Hohenems, when we dominated, then we will take the three points away from Kufstein!"

VEU Feldkirch vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Sun, 17 December 2023, 19:00, Vorarlberghalle

To round off the matchday, VEU Feldkirch face EHC Crocodiles Kundl, who were forced to take an unwanted break last Saturday – their game in Hohenems had to be cancelled due to bad weather.

In the West Division, the four playoff places are as good as decided, with Dornbirn no longer able to catch fourth place in the remaining rounds. Saturday's game is therefore a direct battle for third place. There is nothing to gain further up the table either, as Hohenems and Kufstein are too far ahead.

The Montfort city side had a difficult start in their derby against the Bulldogs, but things began to click from the second period onwards and they eventually put three points on the board.

The Crocodiles have a new coach behind the bench in Jaroslav Betka and want to hold on to third place, as Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier explained before the game: "We want to keep VEU at arm's length with an outright win. That is why we are travelling to Vorarlberg with the aim of taking all the points!"

Ö Ice Hockey League – East Division:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz
Sat, 16 December 2023, 18:00, WEV Arena - Lothringerstraße 22

UHT Dukes Graz vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions
Sat, 16 December 2023, 19:15, Merkur Eisstadion - Hall B

Kapfenberger SV vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 16 December 2023, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Ö Ice Hockey League – West Division:

Dornbirner EC vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Wed, 13 December 2023, 19:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

HC Kufstein vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Sat, 16 December 2023, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein

VEU Feldkirch vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Sun, 17 December 2023, 19:00, Vorarlberghalle

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