High tension ahead of the playoff quarter-finals – now only the aggre­gate score counts

Quarter-final 1 – first leg: VEU Feldkirch vs. Kapfenberger SV
Sat., 10 February 2024, 19:30, Vorarlberghalle

Last year’s quarter-finals already featured the clash between VEU Feldkirch and Kapfenberger SV. After a thrilling 5:5 in the first leg, the Kangaroos prevailed with a narrow 2:0 win in the second leg.

This year, the Styrians once again head into the two games against the Vorarlberg side as clear favourites. Kapfenberg won all 15 of their regular-season games, with only ATSE Graz taking them to overtime. The Mürztal side’s attacking power was impressive, scoring 114 goals while conceding just 29.

VEU Feldkirch recorded six wins – five of them in the derbies against Dornbirn – lost 14 games and entered the playoffs as the fourth-placed team in the West Division.

Kapfenberg chairman Franz Gärtner is looking forward to the clashes between the two traditional clubs: "We chose VEU Feldkirch some time ago. That was before Kundl put together a good run and showed in the West that they very much want to have their say in the race for the title. Like Kapfenberg, VEU is a traditional club in Austria and, based on its name, a great opponent. We saw that last year, when Feldkirch also visited us in the quarter-finals and there were more than 1.500 spectators in the ice rink. From an economic perspective, this is certainly the right decision. I think it is the right one from a sporting perspective too, as we performed really well in the East regular season, going unbeaten in 15 games. But now the serious part of the season begins, and we will certainly travel to Vorarlberg with even greater confidence and hopefully lay the foundations for reaching the semi-finals in Feldkirch."

Quarter-final 2 – first leg: Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Sat., 10 February 2024, 19:10, STEFFL Arena 3

The quarter-final between Wiener Eislauf-Verein and SC Samina Hohenems is a clash between two open-air specialists, as both teams play their home games outdoors. The Viennese side normally rely on an atmospheric setting in front of the Wiener Konzerthaus, with several WEV home games during the regular season proving to be genuine ice hockey spectacles with a playoff feel. Unfortunately, the weather has put paid to the next open-air highlight, with the game moved to STEFFL Arena 3 in Kagran.

Like Kapfenberg in the East, the ibex from Vorarlberg stood for attacking power in the West. 137 goals speak for themselves. Crocodiles Kundl showed twice how Hohenems can be beaten on home ice. Those were the skating club’s only two defeats of the regular season.

Mario Kubeczka, WEV head coach, sees the opponents from Vorarlberg as favourites but wants his team to give the ibex a real challenge: "Hohenems are the favourites, that is clear. I have watched and analysed a few of their games. Our focus will be on putting them under pressure as quickly as possible and checking them tightly. Discipline will also play a major role. It will be very difficult against them when shorthanded, as they have an outstanding power play. But we certainly will not hide, because I know what my team is capable of and we showed last year what is possible. Different rules apply in the playoffs. We will be ready and are looking forward to facing the ibex!"

Hohenems head coach Thomas Sticha believes that the Viennese side suits his team better, but also warns against the capital city outfit: "After the regular season, the exciting time in ice hockey begins – the part that is fun and where every game presents a new challenge. We picked Wiener EV for the quarter-finals, as they are probably the opponent that suits us better. But we also know that WEV must not be underestimated under any circumstances and have an experienced team. So do we, though, and now we want to reward ourselves with good performances!"

Quarter-final 3 – first leg: ATSE Graz vs. HC Kufstein
Sat., 10 February 2024, 19:00, Merkur Eisstadion – Hall A

The ATSE Graz face HC Kufstein in the quarter-finals. Under head coach Markus Losch, the Styrians have developed into a strong unit in recent games.

Most recently, the Eggenberg side celebrated three consecutive victories. ATSE were also the only team to take a point off the dominant Kapfenberg side. Their performances in recent games have given the Eggenberg side confidence that they can build on these strong displays, both defensively and offensively, in the quarter-finals against HC Kufstein. 

The Dragons have been number one in the Ö Eishockey Liga in terms of fan numbers so far this season. Matches at the atmospheric Eisarena Kufstein are among the highlights of Austria’s third-tier league. Results have been somewhat mixed in recent weeks, with two defeats in the district derby against Kundl and, above all, the recent loss to Dornbirn denting the confidence of the Fortress City side a little.

However, when the two exceptional Czech players David Hrazdira (49 points) and Martin Kosnar get going, they are a difficult proposition for any opponent.

ATSE Graz head coach Markus Losch is expecting a great playoff battle against the Tyroleans with his team: "The team is really looking forward to the start of the playoffs against HC Kufstein. We expect a fast, exciting game in which we must not hide from the outset and must always look to drive towards the opposition goal. HC Kufstein are clearly the favourites and we will try to acquit ourselves as well as possible in order to keep the game level and open for as long as possible!"

Roland Luchner, chairman of the board at HC Kufstein, cannot wait for the quarter-finals to get under way: "We are delighted that the playoffs are finally getting started. In ATSE Graz, we are up against a true traditional club. I think we can expect a gripping duel and we are looking forward to two exciting, close games."

Quarter-final 4 – first leg: EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions
Sat., 10 February 2024, 17:30, Eisarena Kundl

The fourth Ö Eishockey Liga quarter-final clash between EHC Crocodiles Kundl and EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions also promises high drama.

Since Jaroslav Betka took over as coach, the Tyroleans have developed into dark horses. Although there is not really anything secret about it – the results speak for themselves. Anyone who can beat the dominant Western Division side Hohenems twice away from home, as well as HC Kufstein twice, is capable of strong playoff performances too. Most recently, the Lower Inn Valley side put together a run of five consecutive wins. 

After a mixed start in the Eastern Division, EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions climbed to second place in the table behind Kapfenberg from mid-December onwards with six consecutive wins. In last weekend's final Upper Styria derby, the Murtal side fought true to their name and gave the Kangaroos everything they could handle. Despite the narrow defeat, the game was a promising playoff test.

Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier is hoping for a similar performance from his team to that of recent weeks: "We are looking forward to facing traditional club Zeltweg, and I hope ice hockey fans in Tyrol and Styria are treated to two exciting games. If we can reproduce the performances of recent times, then ‘something’ should be possible!"

Christian Mayerl, chairman of EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions, is looking forward to a hot playoff dance with the Crocodiles: "In EHC Kundl, we face the team of the moment in the west. Anyone who beats Hohenems and Kufstein can become champions too! We have already digested the defeat to KSV and have seen that, when we push ourselves to the limit, minimise mistakes and stay out of the penalty box, we are competitive. That is how we want to approach things in Kundl too, and we are looking forward to a hot dance!"

Playoffs – quarter-final first legs:

Quarter-final 1 – first leg:

VEU Feldkirch vs. Kapfenberger SV
Sat, 10 February 2024, 19:30, Vorarlberghalle

Quarter-final 2 – first leg:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. SC Samina Hohenems
Sat, 10 February 2024, 19:10, STEFFL Arena 3

Quarter-final 3 – first leg:

ATSE Graz vs. HC Kufstein
Sat, 10 February 2024, 19:00, Merkur Eisstadion – Halle A

Quarter-final 4 – first leg:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions
Sat, 10 February 2024, 17:30, Eisarena Kundl

Playoffs – quarter-final second legs:

Quarter-final 1 – second leg:

Kapfenberger SV vs. VEU Feldkirch
Sat, 17 February 2024, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Quarter-final 2 – second leg:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sat, 17 February 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

Quarter-final 3 – second leg:

HC Kufstein vs. ATSE Graz
Sat, 17 February 2024, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein

Quarter-final 4 – second leg:

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Sat, 17 February 2024, 19:00, Aichfeldhalle

Play-off format:

From the quarter-finals onwards, ties will be decided in the Champions Hockey League (CHL) format over two legs. The club that finished higher in the regular season starts with the away game. The aggregate score from both matches will be used. The team leading on aggregate after the first and second legs advances to the semi-finals.

Should the aggregate score be level at the final buzzer after 120 minutes, the decision will be made in a ten-minute three-on-three overtime and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out with five takers per team. This means there is no overtime in the first leg. Each first leg ends after 60 minutes either in a draw or with a win in regulation time.

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