Kapfen­berg face ATSE Graz and Sharks Gmunden – Hohenems seek revenge against Kundl

ATSE Graz vs. KSV Kängurus

Thu, 19 December 2024, 20:00, Merkur Eisstadion

The ATSE Graz face defending champions Kapfenberger SV for the third time in just under three weeks on Thursday. The two teams no longer hold any secrets from each other, with the Kängurus claiming two wins in the first two games – first 7:4 in Graz, before following it up with an ultimately clear 7:1 win at home. Both games were much more closely contested than the results suggest. The second meeting was exciting for two periods, with Kapfenberg only pulling away in the final period. 

ATSE head coach Markus Losch is hoping for an improvement and a response from his team after the two defeats: "The third game against KSV is coming up on Thursday in quick succession. As the last two games against the Kängurus did not quite go to plan, we want to make amends and cause Kapfenberg a little more trouble on Thursday. Our start in Kapfenberg was relatively good. We now need to manage that for the full 60 minutes, then it will be an interesting game."

Kapfenberg head coach Kris Reinthaler knows what his team need to change compared to the previous games: "We need to make sure we get into the game better at the start and do not concede goals straight away again. Against ATSE, it will probably be a close game for a long time, as in the first two meetings, but as far as I am concerned, it does not have to take us so long to be ready again. As long as we get the three points, though, everything is fine."

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. KSV Kängurus

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

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

The Sharks have sparked a small ice hockey frenzy on Lake Traun, which they will look to confirm against the reigning champions. They have six wins and two defeats against WEV – one of them at home after a penalty shoot-out – to their name after eight games. 

Head Coach Gregor Baumgartner is looking forward to an intense test of where his side stand against the champions from the Mürztal: "We always see the games against last year's champions as a snapshot of our team. 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 host the Wiener Eislauf-Verein at the Ledena dvorana Maribor for the second time on Saturday, with this being the third meeting between the two teams this season. Both games were fiercely contested and went to the Viennese side in overtime. In Maribor, the capital side won 2:1 in overtime on the second matchday, followed by a 4:3 overtime victory in Vienna. 

Maribor head coach Jure Verlič is hoping to make home advantage count: "We 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 our home fans, we can pick up more important points!"

WEV are having a very solid regular season this year and currently sit second in the table behind the Sharks Gmunden. A win against the Slovenians would see the Viennese side take a big step towards the playoffs. 

WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich recalls two very tight games against the Foxes from the Slovenian city on the Drava: "We know Maribor, having already played them twice. Both games were very close and every mistake can be decisive. My team will once 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 face HDK Maribor in the derby between the partner cities on Sunday afternoon. High drama is guaranteed: for the Graz side, 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 quarter-final qualification in the head-to-head clash. Both teams won their home games in the first two meetings, with ATSE winning 6:2 – their only victory of the season so far. Maribor responded at home with a 4:1 win.

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 already showed in the first home game against Maribor. With hard work in front of the opposition net, we should be able to get back to winning ways. Naturally, though, it will only be possible to secure victory through hard work."

Maribor head coach Jure Verlič knows that his team will have to manage their 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. With simple plays and team discipline, we can put ourselves in a good position to be successful in the second game of the weekend as well. It is good that we do not have to travel so far for the game."

Division West:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Fri., 20 December 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

Based on the league table, the match between EHC Crocodiles Kundl and SC Samina Hohenems is the standout fixture of the round in the Division West. The Ibex are the closest challengers to commanding league leaders Lustenau, with the Crocodiles lurking directly behind them in third place. The Tyroleans won the exciting first meeting of the season in early November 3:2 in overtime. Now the Vorarlberg side are eager for revenge away from home in the Lower Inn Valley. 

Top spot after the regular season will go to Lustenau, while the battle for second place remains open, with the two opponents currently separated by four points. Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier is hoping for a home win against the Vorarlberg side despite several absences: "Although we are still dealing with several absences, we are playing for the win at home. We won in Hohenems, so why shouldn't we be able to do the same in front of our own fans?"

Hohenems head coach Thomas Sticha is aware of the Crocodiles' strength: "Kundl are the only team we have not beaten this season. We want to change that on Friday evening. As is always the case against Kundl, it will be a game in which the small details decide the outcome. We have been warned about Kundl, but we know our strengths and will try to put them into practice in the game. Our bad luck in front of goal seems to be easing, and we want to take advantage of that."

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Fri, 20 December 2024, 19:45, Eisarena Kufstein

The HC Kufstein face the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins for the first time this season on Friday and could take a major step towards the playoffs with a home win in this "six-pointer". 

In the fortress town, fans are looking forward to the return of prolific scorer David Hrazdira to the Kufstein ice. The reliable goalscorer found the net in his comeback game, but together with his team-mates he was unable to prevent the 2:7 defeat in Lustenau. After three consecutive defeats, the Penguins urgently need points to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Kufstein chairman Roland Luchner is looking forward to facing long-standing rivals Wattens and hopes for a successful auction of the X-Mas jerseys worn by the Dragons in this match: "We are hugely excited to finally face our long-standing rivals from Wattens again on Friday. In the past, these games have always been real highlights. Friday will certainly be the same. We are especially looking forward to playing in our X-Mas jerseys, which will once again be auctioned for a good cause after the game. Last year, we were able to donate more than 7.000 euros to ‘Gemeinsam Helfen’ in Kufstein through this initiative. Let's see what we can raise this year!"

Wattens coach Manfred Burgstaller is hoping that several players will return to give his side a deeper line-up: "After the unfortunately unnecessary defeat against Kundl, we head to Kufstein on Friday. The players on both teams know each other inside out. We can only hope that a great many sick and injured players return this week so that we have three complete lines available. Kufstein have recently strengthened their squad, are certainly a top team in this league, and we will approach it as we do every game: fight until the end and perhaps take something away from it."

Dornbirner EC vs. EHC Lustenau

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

The Dornbirner EC and Western Conference leaders EHC Lustenau play the final Ö Eishockey Liga match before Christmas on Sunday, when they meet in the Vorarlberg derby at the Messestadion. The Bulldogs have been comprehensively beaten in both previous local derbies against the Lions, 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 their current form continues, the league newcomers will enter the playoffs as Division West winners and therefore have the right to pick their quarter-final opponent. 

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

Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger is demanding a response from his players following the heavy defeat against 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 our performance from the week before. We have to want it more and work hard just to get points. Against Lustenau, we need a top performance and our opponents need to have a bad day if we are to get points. That is the reality. Derbies always have to be viewed differently, and it should be motivation enough for the team to put in a better showing than in the 0:10 defeat. On Sunday, we will try to be ready from the first second and fight until the last."

Remaining Ö Eishockey Liga schedule in 2024

The Ö Eishockey Liga resumes immediately after Christmas. There is still plenty of action in Division West right up until the turn of the year; it could also be called the "Vorarlberg-Tirol Series": six clashes between the 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, followed by a game against 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 defending champions Kapfenberg on Boxing Day, before the Viennese side host UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden on 28 December.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division EAST:

ATSE Graz vs. KSV Kängurus

Thu, 19 December 2024, 20:00, Merkur Eisstadion

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

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Fri, 20 December 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Fri, 20 December 2024, 19:45, Eisarena Kufstein

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

All tables, statistics and fixtures for the Ö Eishockey Liga in the Gamecentre

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