Ice hockey galore: 13 games featuring the open-air high­light of WEV against Kapfen­berg

ÖEL games are shown on the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation’s new livestreaming platform at LIVE.eishockey.at.

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein celebrated its major comeback at Vienna’s Heumarkt on 26 November with a 4:0 win over ATSE Graz in front of a sensational open-air crowd.

Now, the confident league leaders Kapfenberg travel to Vienna on Saturday with a group of fans, providing the Viennese side with extra motivation alongside the playoff battle: no team has yet managed to take a point off the Kängurus this season.

The team coached by player-coach Mario Kubeczka had worked its way up to third place in recent weeks, but most recently suffered a narrow 4:5 defeat away to the Sharks Gmunden.

The Viennese still have a score to settle with the Kängurus, after the Styrians clearly won the first meeting of the season 11:1 in October. Kapfenberg beat the Zeltweg Murtal Lions 7:5 in a thrilling Upper Styrian derby on Saturday.

The EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions face the UHT Dukes Graz on Saturday, who have lost their last three games in succession.

Both teams are playing for important points in the playoff race, with the Lions currently Kapfenberg’s closest challengers. The Dukes urgently need to return to winning ways, although the signs are not good for the Graz side: the Murtal team won the first meeting against the league newcomers from the provincial capital 5:1.

Christian Mayerl, Chairman of EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions: "Another bitter defeat against Kapfenberg that needs to be analysed closely. When you score five goals, you should be able to win if you do not make too many mistakes defensively. We will review it and work on it until Saturday. The Dukes will come to Zeltweg hungry, but the only gifts we will be giving out at the X-Mas Game will be from our Father Christmas, who will enter the rink in a carriage before the game. Hard, uncompromising and simple – that is the game plan against the young, vocal Graz side, so that afterwards there is something to celebrate at the Christmas party in the VIP club with our DJ Santa. By the way, there will once again be the puck competition and an ‘Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest’! Among other great prizes, two Christmas trees are up for grabs. So a visit to the Lions is definitely worthwhile!"

Also on Saturday, ATSE Graz host the UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden. Last weekend, the Upper Austrians sent out a major signal in the battle for the final play-off spot with their 5:4 win over WEV.

ATSE recently rediscovered their winning touch after three defeats, with the 4:1 derby victory over the Dukes coming at exactly the right time. The team coached by player-coach Rupert Strohmeier are currently three points behind the play-off place, but have also played two fewer games than WEV, who currently occupy third place.

Southern Group: Play-off battle in full swing

A busy week in the Southern Group. Two full rounds will be played in Carinthia and East Tyrol on Wednesday and Saturday. The season so far in the south promises an exciting battle for the two places in the inter-regional play-offs.

On Wednesday, table leaders 1. EHC Althofen face a tough contest in the open-air clash and "back-to-back" against UECR Eisbären Huben in East Tyrol. Last Saturday, the Rhinos celebrated a clear 7:0 home win over the Eisbären. For Silvio Trojer's team, the home game is already crucial in the battle for the play-offs in the Ö Eishockey Liga.

There is also a "back-to-back" game in the marquee fixture between EC LiWoDruck Spittal and ESC SoccerZone Steindorf. The Hornets suffered a painful 2:8 defeat at Lake Ossiach last weekend and are eager for revenge beneath the Goldeck.

Steindorf, considered among the title favourites and coached by head coach Robert Moser, have recently gained momentum with three consecutive wins.

The young Eagles of EC iDM VSV are also out for revenge against USC Pirates Velden. On Saturday, the Pirates from the western shore of Lake Wörthersee edged it 3:2 only after a penalty shoot-out.

Saturday then brings the blockbuster clash in the south between ESC SoccerZone Steindorf and the 1st EHC Althofen. The first meeting in November was an electrifying match in terms of how it unfolded.

Steindorf led 4:2 with just under ten minutes remaining before Head Coach Gerald Ressmann’s team produced an outstanding effort in the final five minutes to make it 4:4 and even score the winner in overtime.

Ahead of the match against the USC Pirates Velden, EC LiWoDruck Spittal have not forgotten the 0:5 home defeat against the Pirates in mid-November.

The UECR Eisbären Huben host the EC iDM VSV on Saturday in their second consecutive home game. The Villach side travel to East Tyrol with the narrow 4:5 result from the first meeting in mid-November still in mind, and the Huben ice stadium will once again provide a fitting backdrop.

Western Group: three-way battle for third playoff spot

In the Western Group of the Ö Eishockey Liga, leaders HC Kufstein and SC SAMINA Hohenems have opened up a small gap in the standings.

Playoff qualification is all but secured for both teams, provided there is no major dip in form from now on. However, both clubs have delivered consistently strong performances this season.

Behind Kufstein and Hohenems, league newcomers VEU Feldkirch, EHC Crocodiles Kundl and defending champions WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins are locked in a three-way battle for third place and a playoff spot. Only HC Innsbruck II’s Junghaie are still without a point this season.

As early as Tuesday, the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins and VEU Feldkirch will face each other at Alpenstadion Wattens, with their last meeting in the Crystal City not long ago. On 22 November, VEU edged it 3:2 after a penalty shoot-out.

On the public holiday, the HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II in Kufstein league leaders HC Kufstein. The balance of power could hardly be more different: the Dragons have won eight of their ten games, while the Junghaie have lost all eight of their matches so far. The first two meetings went clearly to the Western Conference leaders.

Saturday also features another blockbuster: The VEU Feldkirch host league leaders HC Kufstein. VEU Feldkirch still have a score to settle with the Dragons, with the Tyroleans inflicting the Montfort city side's only home defeat to date with a 5:2 win in October. Only last Saturday, fans at the Kufstein Eisarena witnessed a high-scoring 8:6 between the two teams.

Due to illness- and injury-related absences in the EHC Crocodiles Kundl squad, the games against SC SAMINA Hohenems and HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II have been postponed! The match scheduled at the Herrenriedstadion between SC SAMINA Hohenems and defending champions WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins had to be cancelled due to the weather. The new date for the game will be announced in good time

West Group matchday

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. VEU Feldkirch
Tue, 06 December 2022, 19:30, Alpenstadion

HC Kufstein vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II
Thu, 08 December 2022, 18:30, Eisarena Kufstein

SC SAMINA Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Postponed to Tuesday, 13 December 2022, 19:00, Eisstadion Herrenried

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II
Postponed, new date to be announced.

SC SAMINA Hohenems vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Cancelled due to weather conditions; a new date will be announced.

VEU Feldkirch vs. HC Kufstein
Sat, 10 December 2022, 19:30, Vorarlberghalle

Matchday, North-East Group

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. Kapfenberger SV
Sat, 10 December 2022, 18:00, Wiener Eislaufverein

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. UHT Dukes Graz
Sat, 10 December 2022, 19:00, Aichfeldhalle Zeltweg

ATSE Graz vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 10 December 2022, 19:30, Merkur Eisstadion Graz

Matchday, South Group

EC LiWoDruck Spittal vs. ESC SoccerZone Steindorf
Wed, 07 December 2022, 20:00, Eis-Sport-Arena Spittal

UECR Eisbären Huben vs. 1st EHC Althofen
Wed, 07 December 2022, 20:00, Eisstadion Huben

EC iDM VSV vs. USC Pirates Velden
Wed, 07 December 2022, 20:15, Ossiacher See Halle Steindorf

ESC SoccerZone Steindorf vs. 1st EHC Althofen
Sat, 10 December 2022, 15:15, Ossiacher See Halle Steindorf

USC Pirates Velden vs. EC LiWoDruck Spittal
Sat, 10 December 2022, 18:30, Eishalle Velden

UECR Eisbären Huben vs. EC iDM VSV
Sat, 10 December 2022, 19:00, Eisstadion Huben

ÖEL matches will be shown on the Austrian Ice Hockey Federation's new livestreaming platform at LIVE.eishockey.at shown.

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