Hohenems gain revenge against Croc­o­diles Kundl – Kufstein beat Wattens Penguins

The EHC Crocodiles Kundl faced SC Samina Hohenems in the Division West showdown. The hosts had two good chances early on, but the Steinböcke took the lead: Benjamin Kyllönen swept a rebound over the line for 1:0 after Kundl netminder Jakub Kostelny had made the save (4'). 

The Crocodiles immediately looked to push forward again after falling behind early, while Hohenems remained disciplined defensively and patiently waited for their chances. One such opportunity came when Finnish defenceman Panu Hyyppä played a superb pass to Johannes Hehle, who was completely unmarked at the far post and fired home from close range to make it 2:0 for the Vorarlberg side (16').

Head coach Jaroslav Betka’s team was now forced to play more offensively in the second period. However, this also created plenty of space for the Schlittschuhclub, who repeatedly looked dangerous on the counter-attack. Kundl tested Hohenems netminder Karlo Škec with shots that were often too harmless. Just after the halfway mark, though, the Tyroleans pulled one back. Following a fine cross-ice pass, Jakob Wetzelsberger buried the puck to make it 1:2 (31'). 

Hohenems hit back on the counter-attack, with Fabian Mandlburger shooting from the slot and Kundl netminder Jakub Kostelny allowing the puck to trickle over the line for 1:3 (37'). At the start of the final period, the hosts pressed for another goal, but head coach Thomas Sticha’s team defended their net cleverly and, on one occasion, with a little luck. The Crocodiles had an opportunity to reduce the deficit on the power play, but were unable to capitalise. 

The team from the town of the counts also had a numerical advantage, but were unable to extend their lead. In the end, the Tyroleans pulled their goalie and also had a power play in the final half-minute. SC Hohenems did not concede another goal and avenged their 2:3 overtime defeat at Crocodiles Kundl at the beginning of November.

Kufstein’s second-period masterclass enough for win over Wattens Penguins

The HC Kufstein hosted the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins for the first time this season on Friday and made a flying start: following an attack down the right, Canadian newcomer Ethan Browne drove into the slot and beat Wattens netminder Wotan Knecht to make it 1:0 after exactly 57 seconds (1'), Browne’s first goal in a Kufstein jersey. 

The first period then developed into an intense contest. The Dragons found it difficult to add to their lead. The Penguins were well set up in their own zone and gave the hosts little room to operate. Wattens had two power plays, but neither was converted. Kufstein then had a power play in the final minute and a half of the opening period, but there were no further goals before the first siren.

Wattens equalised on the power play at the start of the second period, as Mario Schöser made it 1:2 with a close-range backhand effort (22'). Head coach Andreas Luchner’s team responded swiftly – and in style: following a Michigan move by Ethan Browne, Valentin Hammerle volleyed the puck out of the air to make it 3:1, a stunning goal just under a minute later (23'). 

The Kufstein side now played with complete freedom. Once again, it was Valentin Hammerle who finished an attack down the right from close range to make it 3:1 (27'). Ethan Browne made it 4:1, firing home from the left face-off circle (30'). The Canadian added another from close range on the power play to make it 5:1, the newcomer’s third goal (31'). Wattens netminder Knecht had seen enough and was replaced in goal by Marco Simair. The Dragons had pulled clear with four unanswered goals in just under eight minutes. 

At the end of the period, Valentin Hammerle was forced to take a professional foul, but Ricards Purins missed the resulting penalty shot for the Penguins. Both teams eased off the pace in the final period of an already decided game. Noah Polig added a consolation goal for Wattens to make it 2:5 (58'). HC Kufstein did not let their clear victory slip away and climbed to third place in the table, ahead of Crocodiles Kundl.

Dornbirner EC vs. EHC Lustenau
Sun, 22 December 2024, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

The Dornbirner EC and Western Conference leaders EHC Lustenau will play their final Ö Eishockey Liga game before Christmas on Sunday, when they meet in the Vorarlberg derby at the Messestadion. The Bulldogs were clearly beaten by the Lions in their previous two local derbies, losing 0:7 on home ice and 0:10 away at the Rheinhalle.

Lustenau have lost just one of their eleven games so far, with their only defeat coming away to Hohenems in the derby on 23 November. If they maintain their current form, the league newcomers will enter the Division West play-offs in first place and therefore have the right to choose their quarter-final opponents.

Lustenau coach Dániel Fekete wants his team to be fully focused on this game: "Many favourites have come unstuck against supposed underdogs through overconfidence. We will prepare for this game with the same focus as we do for every other match and will not underestimate Dornbirn. An early lead could make life easier for us. But to achieve that, the team must enter the game alert and put in the necessary work; otherwise, the pendulum can swing the other way very quickly!"

Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger is demanding a response from his players following the heavy defeat to Lustenau two weeks ago: "The league leaders are coming to us, and we took a real beating two weeks ago. We were not ready and relied on the performance from the week before. We have to want it more and work hard to have any chance of getting points. Against Lustenau, we need a top performance and our opponents need to have a bad day for us to get points. That is the reality. Derbies must always be assessed differently, and it should be motivation enough for the team to put in a better showing than in the 0:10 defeat. We will try to be ready from the very first second on Sunday and fight until the final second."

Eastern Conference:

Title holders Kapfenberg edge ATSE Graz

The ATSE Grazmet defending champions Kapfenberger SV for the third time in just under three weeks on Thursday. In a match that remained evenly balanced for a long time, the first goals did not come until the second period. Clemens Lennkh gave the hosts a 1:0 lead shortly before the half-hour mark (30.). Just under six and a half minutes later, Manuel Trost equalised after being set up by his brother Stefan Trost (36.). 

As in their previous meeting, which the Kangaroos had only won convincingly by 7:1 thanks to a brilliant final period after 40 evenly matched minutes, the first two periods were once again an exciting and close affair. 57 seconds before the end of the middle period, the visitors had turned the game around, with Lukas Winkler making it 2:1 for Kapfenberg (40th minute).

In the final period, the reigning champions picked up right where they had left off: Lukas Draschkowitz made it 3:1 after just 30 seconds (41.). This time, the Graz side battled back superbly. First, Niki Zierer pulled one back to make it 2:3 (47.). A little over four minutes later, the Eggenberg side celebrated the equaliser, with Clemens Lennkh scoring his second goal to make it 3:3 (51.). 

This marked the start of crunch time, with Kapfenberg sealing the win with a quick double strike just under two minutes from the end: Florian Hoppl first made it 4:3 after a pass from Stefan Trost (58.), and just 20 seconds later, another combination between the two players made it 5:3. This time, Hoppl set up Stefan Trost, who scored the final goal (59.). 

The Mürztal side had therefore won all three meetings against Graz, who face a must-win game against Maribor on Sunday in their battle for the final playoff spot. The Kängurus visit league leaders Sharks Gmunden in the big clash on Saturday.

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. KSV Kängurus

Sat., 21 December 2024, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

League leaders UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden host champions Kapfenberger SV for the major Division East clash at the Muki Eisarena. The Styrians still have two scores to settle with the Upper Austrians. The Kangaroos narrowly lost the first meeting away to the Sharks on the second matchday, 4:5, before suffering an even heavier 3:7 defeat at home.

The Sharks have sparked a small ice hockey boom on Lake Traun, which they will look to maintain against the reigning champions. After eight games, they have six wins and two defeats against WEV – one of them at home after a penalty shootout. 

Head Coach Gregor Baumgartner is looking forward to an intense test against the champions from the Mürz Valley: "We always see the games against last season's champions as a snapshot of where our team is at. Every game against them is very intense. Together with our fans, we are looking forward to an exciting clash!"

HDK Maribor vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat, 21 December 2024, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

The HDK Maribor will host Wiener Eislauf-Verein at the Ledena dvorana Maribor for the second time on Saturday; overall, it will be the third meeting between the two teams this season. Both games were fiercely contested and each went to overtime, with the Viennese winning both. In Maribor, the capital side won 2:1 in overtime on the second matchday, followed by a 4:3 victory in Vienna, also after overtime. 

Maribor Head Coach Jure Verlič is hoping home advantage will make the difference: "We have played very close games against WEV, so we expect another difficult game. We need to be patient and focus on ourselves and our principles on the ice. With the support of the home fans, we can pick up more important points!"

WEV are enjoying a very solid regular season this year and currently sit second in the table behind Sharks Gmunden. With a win against the Slovenians, the Viennese could take a major step towards the playoffs. 

WEV Head Coach Philipp Ullrich recalls two very close games against the Foxes from the Slovenian city on the Drava: "We know Maribor; we have already played them twice. Both games were very close and every mistake can be decisive. My team will again try to play solid, intense hockey for 60 or 65 minutes."

ATSE Graz vs. HDK Maribor

Sun, 22 December 2024, 15:30, Merkur Eisstadion

After the home game against the Kangaroos, ATSE Graz will face HDK Maribor in the derby between partner cities on Sunday afternoon. High drama is guaranteed: for Graz, who reached the semi-finals last season, this match is already crucial if they are to retain a chance in the battle for the final playoff spot. 

The Foxes could take a decisive step towards qualifying for the quarter-finals in this head-to-head clash. Both teams won their home games in the first two meetings, with ATSE prevailing 6:2 – their only win of the season so far. Maribor responded with a 4:1 win at home.

Markus Losch, Head Coach of ATSE Graz, knows what will be needed in the potentially decisive game against the Slovenians: "On Sunday, we have a crucial game against Maribor. Here too, we need to return to the old virtues, as we showed in the first home game against Maribor. Through hard work in front of the opposition goal, we should be able to get back to winning ways. But of course, it will only be possible to secure the win through hard work."

Maribor head coach Jure Verlič knows that his team will have to conserve its energy for the important game against ATSE after Saturday’s WEV match: "With two games in two days, it will be important for us to go into the game with good energy and mental strength. Simple plays and team discipline can give us a good foundation to be successful in the second game this weekend as well. It is good that we do not have to travel so far for the game."

Remaining Ö Eishockey Liga schedule in 2024

The Ö Eishockey Liga resumes immediately after Christmas. There is still plenty of action in Division West until shortly before the turn of the year in particular; it could also be called the "Vorarlberg-Tyrol series": six clashes between federal states are scheduled from 26 December to 29 December. 

SC Hohenems face HC Kufstein on 26 December before rounding off the year away to the Wattens Penguins on 29 December, who will first host league leaders EHC Lustenau on 27 December. EHC Crocodiles Kundl play Dornbirner EC on Boxing Day, before facing EHC Lustenau on 29 December. HC Kufstein conclude their ice hockey year at home against Dornbirner EC on 28 December.

In Division East, Wiener Eislauf-Verein travel to reigning champions Kapfenberg on Boxing Day, before the Viennese side host UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden on 28 December.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems 1:3 (0:2,1:1,0:0)
Fri, 20 December 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl
EHC Crocodiles Kundl scorer: Jakob Wetzelsberger (at 30:44)
SC Hohenems scorers: Benjamin Kyllönen (at 03:56), Johannes Hehle (at 15:39), Fabian Mandlburger (at 36:15)

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins 5:2 (1:0,4:1,0:1)
Fri, 20 December 2024, 19:45, Eisarena Kufstein
HC Kufstein scorers: Ethan Browne (at 00:57, at 29:10, at 30:53/PP1), Valentin Hammerle (at 22:34, at 26:30)
Wattens Penguins scorers: Mario Schöser (at 21:30/PP1), Noah Polig (at 57:57)

Dornbirner EC vs. EHC Lustenau

Sun, 22 December 2024, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

Remaining Division West schedule until the turn of the year:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein

Thu, 26 December 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. Dornbirner EC

Thu, 26 December 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Lustenau

Fri, 27 December 2024, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

HC Kufstein vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat, 28 December 2024, 17:35, Eisarena Kufstein

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sun, 29 December 2024, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

EHC Lustenau vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sun, 29 December 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division EAST:

ATSE Graz vs. KSV Kängurus 3:5 (0:0,1:2,2:3)
Thu, 19 December 2024, 20:00, Merkur Eisstadion
ATSE Graz goalscorers: Clemens Lennkh (at 29:09, at 50:25), Nikolaus Zierer (at 46:01)
KSV Kängurus goalscorers: Manuel Trost (at 35:45), Lukas Winkler (at 39:03), Lukas Draschkowitz (at 40:30), Florian Hoppl (at 57:48), Stefan Trost (at 58:08)

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. KSV Kängurus

Sat, 21 December 2024, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden 

HDK Maribor vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat, 21 December 2024, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

ATSE Graz vs. HDK Maribor

Sun, 22 December 2024, 15:30, Merkur Eisstadion

Remaining Division East schedule until the turn of the year:

KSV Kängurus vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Thu, 26 December 2024, 18:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Sat, 28 December 2024, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

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