High­landers crowned women’s cham­pions for the first time

Sabres Wien and Ravens Salzburg had previously won all the championship trophies, with the Sabres holding a clear 18:2 advantage. The Highlanders now become the third team to join them. The Lakers kept the title race open largely thanks to Sophia Hausberger, who was at her very best on Saturday afternoon and saved 29 of the 31 shots on her goal. However, she was powerless against Jessica Belanger and Hilde Huisman in the middle period.

In game two, the Highlanders stepped it up again, registering 38 shots on goal, four of which found the net. After a scoreless and evenly contested first period, Sara Confidenti gave her team a 1:0 lead in the middle period. The Highlanders were also overwhelmingly dominant at that stage, but repeatedly came up against Anja Adamitsch this time.

However, the 20 shots in the second period certainly took their toll. Jessica Belanger made it 2:0 early in the final period, while Alexandra Gowie and Serena Unger rounded off the evening for the Highlanders. Annie Katonka could only score a consolation goal for the Lakers.

It is the Highlanders’ first title at the second attempt. They had already reached the final last year, but had to concede defeat to Sabres Wien 2:4 and 2:7.

Bronze for Eagles

DEC Salzburg Eagles, who were eliminated by the Lakers in the semi-finals, secured bronze against SPG Kitzbühel/Kufstein, as they had done the previous year. They were composed and confident in both games, winning 8:1 and 6:1.

Austrian Women’s Ice Hockey Championship

Final 1:

KEHV Lakers vs. KSV Neuberg Highlanders 0:2 (0:0, 0:2, 0:0)
Sat, 25 March 2023, 15:00
KSV Neuberg Highlanders scorers: Jessica Belanger (22), Hilde Huisman (32)

Final 2:
KSV Neuberg Highlanders vs. KEHV Lakers 4:1 (0:0, 1:0, 3:1)
Sun, 26 March 2023, 19:00
KSV Neuberg Highlanders scorers: Sara Confidenti (38), Jessica Belanger (42), Alexandra Gowie (49), Serena Unger (56)
KEHV Lakers scorer: Annie Katonka (57)

KSV Neuberg Highlanders crowned Austrian champions for the 1st time with an aggregate final score of 2:0

Medal table – Austrian Women’s Ice Hockey Championship

2022/23: KSV Neuberg Highlanders (gold), KEHV Lakers (silver), DEC Salzburg Eagles (bronze)
2021/22: Sabres Wien (gold), KSV Neuberg Highlanders (silver), DEC Salzburg Eagles (bronze)
2020/21: Sabres Wien (gold), DEC Salzburg Eagles (silver), KEHV Lakers (bronze)
2019/20: Season cancelled early due to the coronavirus pandemic
2018/19: Sabres Wien (gold), DEC Salzburg Eagles (silver), KEHV Lakers (bronze)
2017/18: Sabres Wien (gold), DEC Salzburg Eagles (silver), KSV Neuberg Highlanders (bronze)
2016/17: Sabres Wien (gold), DEC Salzburg Eagles (silver), Neuberg Highlanders (bronze)
2015/16: Sabres Wien (gold), DEC Salzburg Eagles (silver), Neuberg Highlanders (bronze)
2014/15: Sabres Wien (gold), DEC Salzburg Eagles (silver), Neuberg Highlanders (bronze)
2013/14: Sabres Wien (gold), DEC Salzburg Eagles (silver), Neuberg Highlanders (bronze)
2012/13: Sabres Wien (gold), DEC Salzburg Eagles (silver), WE-V Flyers (bronze)
2011/12: Sabres Wien (gold), EHC Vienna Flyers (silver), DEC Salzburg Eagles (bronze)
2010/11: Sabres Wien (gold), DEC Eagles Salzburg (silver), EHC Vienna Flyers (bronze)
2009/10: Sabres Wien (gold), Ravens Salzburg (silver), Neuberg Highlanders (bronze)
2008/09: Ravens Salzburg (gold), SG Sabres/Flyers United (silver), Dragons Klagenfurt (bronze)
2007/08: Sabres Wien (gold), Ravens Salzburg (silver), Vienna Flyers (bronze)
2006/07: Sabres Wien (gold), Ravens Salzburg (silver), Vienna Flyers (bronze)
2005/06: Ravens Salzburg (gold), Dragons Klagenfurt (silver), Sabres Wien (bronze)
2004/05: Sabres Wien (gold), Ravens Salzburg (silver), Dragons Klagenfurt (bronze)
2003/04: Sabres Wien (gold), Ravens Salzburg (silver), Dragons Klagenfurt (bronze)
2002/03: Sabres Wien (gold), Ravens Salzburg (silver), Dragons Klagenfurt (bronze)
2001/02: Sabres Wien (gold), Vienna Flyers (silver), Dragons Klagenfurt (bronze)