High tension as EHC Lustenau face Sharks Gmunden – WEV carry a 0:3 deficit against SC Hohenems

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

Sat., 01 March 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle

Title favourites EHC Lustenau welcome UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden to the decisive semi-final second leg at the Rheinhalle on Saturday. In the first leg at Lake Traunsee, the team from Vorarlberg had to contend with the fierce resistance of the Upper Austrians. Head Coach Gregor Baumgartner had prepared the Sharks very well for the Lions in last Saturday’s 2:2 draw, and, aided by the excellent goaltending performance of Luka Gračnar, significantly slowed down the goal machine from the Ländle. 

The Slovenian made 38 saves from 40 shots on goal, resulting in a save percentage of 95,0%. His opposite number, Lukas Reihs, had half as much to do, stopping the puck 18 times from 20 shots, for a save percentage of 90,0%. After Gmunden took a 2:0 lead, Lustenau raised the tempo over the final 20 minutes and equalised in the final period. One thing is certain: the winner – whether in regulation time, overtime or a penalty shootout – will advance to the final.

"Gmunden have a very balanced team, with several players capable of deciding a match on their own. The Upper Austrians are particularly strong on the power play and penalty kill. Overall, Lustenau have the stronger individual players, who are expected to make the difference. Also in our favour is the fact that we remain unbeaten at home so far this season. That should not change in Saturday’s game either. The team is hoping for the support of the Lustenau crowd," stresses Dániel Fekete, coach of EHC Lustenau.

Gregor Baumgartner, Head Coach of Sharks Gmunden, also promises a combative team in Vorarlberg: "Our determined display in the home game has given us the chance to reach the final. We want to give our best in Lustenau and are not looking too far ahead!"

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

Sat., 01 March 2025, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein face SC Samina Hohenems in another open-air duel at the WEV Arena in front of the Konzerthaus on Saturday and take to home ice carrying a 0:3 deficit from the first leg. HSC goaltender Karlo Škec recorded a shutout in the first match in Vorarlberg, as SC Hohenems won 3:0 to put themselves in a strong position for the return leg: the team from Vorarlberg could even afford to lose by two goals and would still be ahead on aggregate. 

Whoever the team of Head Coach Thomas Stichaknows that such speculation will not be part of the game plan ahead of the second leg in the federal capital. The Viennese side must rely on their home strength: of nine home games, including the 5:0 win over Kundl in the play-off quarter-finals, Head Coach Philipp Ullrich's team won eight. The only home defeat came in the double-header against Kapfenberg on 18 January.

WEV Head Coach Philipp Ullrichis convinced that his team will perform differently in the decisive match than they did in the Ländle: "In the first game against Hohenems, we did not come close to reaching our full potential. We lacked focus and 100% commitment. There are days like that, but my team will show the right response in the second leg."

Hohenems Head Coach Thomas Stichaknows how his team wants to approach the Viennese side in front of the Konzerthaus: "We will start the second leg in Vienna again at 0:0. We will play compactly and, as in the first game, try to force our opponents into mistakes. We will play our best hockey for 60 minutes and, through hard work and the necessary cleverness, prevent WEV from getting back into the series."

Ö Eishockey Liga – Play-offs – Semi-final second legs

EHC Lustenau vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden 

Sat., 01 March 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sat., 01 March 2025, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

Ö Eishockey Liga – Play-offs – Semi-final first legs

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. EHC Lustenau 2:2 (0:0,2:0,0:2)
Sat., 22 February 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden
Sharks Gmunden scorers:Marc-André Dorion (25:42 min./PP1), Elias Koller (28:49 min./SH1)
EHC Lustenau scorers:Dominic Haberl (49:20 min./PP1), Martin Grabher Meier (58:42 min.)

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein 3:0 (1:0,1:0,1:0)
Sat., 22 February 2025, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems
SC Samina Hohenems scorers:Julian Grafschafter (08:04 min., 37:39 min.), Benjamin Kyllönen (41:03 min./PP1)

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