Kapfen­berg top the table after win in Maribor – Sharks Gmunden claim clear victory over ATSE Graz

HDK MariborHDK Mariborwelcomed defending champions Kapfenberger SVfor their final home game of the regular season at Ledena dvorana Maribor on Saturday. The Mürztal side made a dream start. Adrian Stühlinger set up Kevin Moderer perfectly, and he scored from the slot to give them a 1:0 lead after 68 seconds (2nd minute).

Kapfenberg struck again: this time, Neal Unterluggauer set up Kevin Moderer perfectly for his goal to make it 2:0 (4th minute). The Foxes quickly recovered from the shock of falling two goals behind early on: Ian Fingušt skated around the opposing net and pulled one back to make it 1:2 just under a minute later (5th minute). Shortly afterwards, Kevin Moderer completed his hat-trick, beating the Maribor defence before firing past goalkeeper Omar Ždralović to make it 3:1 (7th minute).

The Kangaroos then had a 5:3 power play, but were unable to score despite the two-man advantage. Pierre Graf made amends, putting a pass from Christoph Draschkowitz over the line from close range to make it 4:1 (12th minute). Both teams left room for improvement defensively, and following a move involving several passes, Aljaž Ogrizek pulled one back to make it 2:4 for the Slovenians (18th minute).

Maribor carried a power play into the second period but remained scoreless. Shortly after the next power play had expired, Žan Kuzman hammered the puck into the net from the blue line to reduce the deficit to 3:4 (25th minute). Suddenly, the game was wide open again. Following a superb pass from Neal Unterluggauer, Lukas Winkler went in alone on goalkeeper Omar Ždralović and scored to make it 5:3 for the defending champions (32nd minute).

The hosts tried to turn the game around in the final period. However, Kapfenberg were too composed and sealed the win with an empty-net goal by Pierre Graf to make it 6:3 (59th minute). Aljaž Ogrizek pulled one back for Maribor with 22 seconds remaining, producing a superb trick shot by hooking the puck through his own legs to make it 4:6 (60th minute).

The team coached by player-coach Kris Reinthaler took over top spot, at least until Sunday, with the away win. Maribor, who play away to Sharks Gmunden on Sunday, must continue to wait to seal their play-off place.

Sharks Gmunden comfortably beat ATSE Graz

The UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmundenhosted ATSE Graz on Saturday, with Graz looking to keep their play-off hopes alive. Both teams initially focused on defensive control in the opening minutes, before Clemens Lennkh put Graz 1:0 ahead following a fine move (8th minute).

Just 31 seconds later, Ian Motil finished off an attacking sequence by the Sharks to make it 1:1 (9th minute). The game remained evenly balanced and close, but neither side scored again in the first period. As in the first period, the Styrians started the second period shorthanded. The team coached by head coach Gregor Baumgartner pressed for the lead on the power play, but the ATSE defence, together with goalkeeper Florian Zeugswetter, held firm to preserve the draw during this phase.

Gmunden remained clearly on top after the power play and repeatedly established themselves in the attacking zone, but initially failed to beat goalkeeper Zeugswetter. They did so after another fine move, which Mathias Haiböck finished from the slot with a crisp shot to make it 2:1 (37th minute).

The hosts were now able to turn their dominance into goals: with two goals within 30 seconds, the Sharks pulled away in the final minute of the second period. First, Ian Motil drove into the slot to make it 3:1 (40th minute), before Elias Koller lifted a rebound under the crossbar to make it 4:1 (40th minute).

The Sharks extended their lead to 5:1 early in the final period following a quick attack, with Bastian Szieber scoring from close range (42 min.). The home side were overwhelmingly dominant, with Graz left merely defending. Alwin Schuster spectacularly sealed the 6:1 final score after a rebound while falling (59 min.). ATSE, who host WEV on Sunday, remain six points behind Maribor with two games still to play. 

Only if they finish level on points with the Slovenians would Graz make the play-offs due to the head-to-head results. The decision could go Maribor's way as early as Sunday.

Ö Eishockey Liga – Division East:

HDK Maribor vs. KSV Kängurus 4:6 (2:4,1:1,1:1)

Sat., 25 January 2025, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

HDK Maribor scorers: Ian Fingušt (04:40), Aljaž Ogrizek (17:25, 59:38), Žan Kuzman (24:58)

KSV Kängurus scorers: Kevin Moderer (01:08, 03:33, 06:19), Pierre Graf (11:43, 58:46/EN), Lukas Winkler (31:48)

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. ATSE Graz 6:1 (1:1,3:0,2:0)

Sat., 25 January 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

Sharks Gmunden scorers: Ian Motil (08:11, 39:20), Mathias Haiböck (36:51), Elias Koller (39:50), Bastian Szieber (41:44), Alwin Schuster (58:02)

ATSE Graz scorer: Clemens Lennkh (07:40)

ATSE Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sun., 26 January 2025, 14:30, Merkur Eisstadion

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HDK Maribor

Sun., 26 January 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Dornbirner EC

Sun., 26 January 2025, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems 

EHC Lustenau vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sun., 26 January 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

Sun., 26 January 2025, 17:35, Eisarena Kufstein

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins 4:3 after penalties (1:1,0:1,2:1,0:0,1:0)

Fri, 24 January 2025, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl

EHC Kundl goalscorers: Johannes Schernthaner (19:43), Matko Pavetić (46:38), Simon Brandner (48:35), Adrian Schuster (65:00/decisive penalty)

Wattens Penguins goalscorers: Paul Probst (05:22), Luca Venier (33:45), Tobias Fender (53:38)

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein 1:7 (0:1,1:3,0:3)

Fri, 24 January 2025, 19:00, Eisstadion Hohenems 

SC Hohenems goalscorer: Patrick Spannring (24:00)

HC Kufstein goalscorers: Clemens Paulweber (07:58), Ethan Browne (22:30), Valentin Hammerle (32:13/SH1, 36:17), Maximilian Camondo (52:41), Philipp Sappl (56:13), David Hrazdira (57:09/EN)

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Further article:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl secure a play-off spot against Wattens Penguins