High drama in the semi-finals: Sharks Gmunden challenge Lustenau – WEV face Hohenems

And then there were four! The Ö Eishockey Liga play-off quarter-finals are done and dusted, with the eagerly anticipated semi-final first legs taking place on Saturday. Who will secure a good position ahead of the return legs? At the Muki Eisarena Gmunden, the Sharks Gmunden challenge title favourites EHC Lustenau. In the clash of the open-air clubs at the Eisstadion Hohenems, also known as Herrenried, SC Hohenems take on Wiener Eislauf-Verein. The semi-final return legs take place on 1 March, when the two finalists of the 2024/2025 season will be confirmed.

19 February 20254 min read

Semi-final 1 – first leg: UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. EHC Lustenau

Sat, 22 February 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

The UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden face [opponent] on Saturday in the first leg of the semi-final following their remarkable comeback in the quarter-final second leg in Kufstein and the narrow aggregate score of 6:5.EHC Lustenau, who have emerged as the number one title favourites based on the season so far. The Vorarlberg side comfortably overcame HDK Maribor in the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 15:2 and once again showed that they are the league’s goal machine and difficult to stop.

The Upper Austrians reached the semi-finals for the first time in their second play-off appearance. In their debut season of 2021/2022, the Traunsee Sharks were eliminated by SC Hohenems in the quarter-finals. League newcomers Lustenau have won 20 of their 22 matches to date and are a force at home in the Rheinhalle. However, the Traunsee Sharks have also made a major impression in several games this season, particularly with their three wins in the regular season against reigning champions Kapfenberg – including a 7:3 away win.

Gregor Baumgartner, Head Coach of the Sharks Gmunden, knows that a strong defensive performance will be needed to stand a chance against the Vorarlberg side: "We are very pleased that we can play in front of our fans once again. Naturally, we are clear underdogs in this clash with Lustenau, but we want to show our best ice hockey. When you perform as a unit, you can achieve a great deal. It will take solid defensive work to have a chance in this series!"

Lustenau Head Coach Dániel Fekete promises that his team will not underestimate the Sharks after their comeback in Kufstein: "Our semi-final opponents have a very balanced team which has found its rhythm at just the right time for the play-offs. Anyone who can win 6:1 in Kufstein certainly will not be underestimated by us. We came through the quarter-finals comfortably. But Gmunden now present a different calibre of challenge. However, we are also aware of our strengths and will look to put ourselves in a good position for the return leg in Lustenau on 1 March, even in the away game!"

Semi-final 2 – first leg: SC Samina Hohenems vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat, 22 February 2025, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

The SC Samina Hohenems welcome Wiener Eislauf-Verein on Saturday for a clash between the two open-air clubs at the Eisstadion Herrenried. For the Vorarlberg side, who defeated defending champions Kapfenberg in the quarter-finals after a strong return leg that went to overtime, winning 4:3 on aggregate, it is their fourth semi-final appearance in four seasons. The Steinböcke reached the final twice – in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 – but fell just short of the title against Steindorf and, last year, Kapfenberg.

The Viennese side overcame EHC Crocodiles Kundl by an aggregate score of 7:3 in the quarter-finals and once again demonstrated their home strength this season with their 5:0 win in the return leg at Heumarkt. The two opponents have met once before in the Ö Eishockey Liga play-off quarter-finals – in February 2024.

Back then, Hohenems celebrated a 10:3 win in Vienna, although the game remained close until the 37 minute. It was only with a magnificent final period that the visitors pulled away, progressing to the semi-finals after the return leg with an aggregate score of 13:3.

Hohenems Head Coach Thomas Sticha knows that the WEV are very difficult to break down this season, but is also confident in his team: "In the semi-finals, we face Vienna, the winners of the Eastern Group, which already shows that it will once again be a difficult duel. However, we will focus on our style of play and force the opposition into mistakes. We will play compactly and reliably in our own zone and not give the opposition much room. As both teams play outdoors, there will be no home advantage for either side in that respect, and the small details will make the difference!"

Philipp Ullrich, Head Coach of the WEV, is preparing his team for the clash with the Grafenstädter after the two energy-sapping matches against Kundl: "The two games against Kundl were very intense. We will train well again this week and prepare for Hohenems as best we can. The boys have worked for and earned these two semi-final games. My team is looking forward to two great games!"