Kundl and Wattens battle for the final playoff spot – ATSE Graz and Maribor vie for a playoff place

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

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

The West Division blockbuster takes place at Eisarena Kundl on Friday: EHC Crocodiles Kundl face WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins and can seal a playoff berth in the head-to-head clash. The Crocodiles are five points ahead of the Penguins, with both teams still having three games to play. 

Kundl also have the edge in the head-to-head meetings: Wattens claimed a narrow 2:0 home win on 22 November, before the Crocodiles avenged that defeat in their own arena a week later with a 6:2 victory. In mid-December, Head Coach Jaroslav Betka's team secured a 5:3 away win at the Alpenstadion.

Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier wants his team to finally clinch a playoff berth in the head-to-head clash against Wattens: "To achieve our minimum objective, we have set ourselves, we must – and want to – secure the final playoff ticket with a home win next Friday. We are aware that this will only be possible with a very good performance, and we will give everything!"

Wattens coach Manfred Burgstaller promises that his team will try everything: "As funny as it may sound, with three rounds remaining in the regular season, we are still in the running for the playoff places. Everything will be decided in the direct match in Kundl on Friday. Should we lose, we will no longer have a chance of making the playoffs. Despite our many absences, we will try everything and fight. By Sunday at the latest, we will know in Kufstein what lies ahead and whether the final two games against Kufstein are still of major importance. But we will be a nuisance there too, and every player can still make a statement for next season."

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein

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

For the final time in the regular season, SC Samina Hohenems and HC Kufstein cross sticks on Friday. In the head-to-head clash at Herrenried, the Vorarlberg side can finally secure second place in the West Division table behind EHC Lustenau. Hohenems have the edge in the three meetings so far: the skating club won 6:2 away in the season opener in mid-October. The Dragons celebrated a 2:0 home win in mid-November, before Hohenems prevailed narrowly, 5:3, after building a clear lead on St Stephen's Day.

Thomas Sticha, Head Coach of SC Hohenems, wants to secure second place in the table in the head-to-head clash: "With everything still open in the battle for second place after the regular season, we naturally absolutely want to pick up points against our direct rivals Kufstein. It will be important for us to build on the second and third periods of last weekend's game in Dornbirn. If we are prepared to move our feet and keep the puck moving, every opponent will find it difficult against us!"

Kufstein chairman Roland Luchner wants his Dragons to keep riding the current wave of success: "We want to carry the momentum of five consecutive wins with us. The last two games in particular were really good for us. There is real excitement building again in Kufstein. We now want to keep riding this wave and prepare for the playoffs as well as possible. The best way to do that is with two wins. Based on how the past few weeks have gone, I am confident that we can do it."

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Dornbirner EC

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

On Sunday, SC Samina Hohenems face Dornbirner EC in the fourth and final derby of the regular season. Just last Sunday, the Steinböcke left nothing to chance at the Messestadion in a commanding 7:0 win. The young Bulldogs have fond memories of 1 December, when Dornbirn celebrated a 4:3 overtime win. In mid-December, the team coached by Thomas Sticha won 6:2. 

Hohenems head coach Thomas Sticha praises the fighting spirit of the young opposition, but is also confident in his own team: "In Sunday's game against Dornbirn, we need to start better than we did last weekend, when we practically slept through the first period. When we build pressure, Dornbirn struggle. Nevertheless, they never give up and play with heart for the full 60 minutes. Still, if our team performs with focus, we will keep the three points in Hohenems."

Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger is hoping for another surprise like the one on 1 December following the recent heavy derby defeat: "On Sunday in Hohenems, we will again try to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible. If we work well at the back and make better use of our chances up front, we may be able to spring another surprise. We keep learning the hard way and are trying to learn from our mistakes. 50 minutes are not enough to play almost flawlessly. We need a top performance in Hohenems to have even the slightest chance. We have already produced that performance once against Hohenems, so perhaps we can do it again."

EHC Lustenau vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sun, 26 January 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle

For the dominant regular-season winners of the West Division, EHC Lustenau the aim of Sunday's home game against EHC Crocodiles Kundl is to maintain their form for the playoffs. The Lions have earned the right to pick and, after the end of the regular season on 1 February, can choose their quarter-final opponent from the third- or fourth-placed team in the East Division. 

Lustenau have come through their three meetings with the Crocodiles unscathed so far: the West Division leaders won 6:4 in Kundl in mid-October, followed by a 5:3 win, also in Kundl, in mid-November, and the team coached by Dániel Fekete won 4:1 on 29 December to close out the year.

"I expect a highly motivated team from Kundl. They were already awkward opponents in the first three meetings. Despite having already secured first place in the standings, we will set a high tempo from the outset in order to win this game too," said Lustenau coach Dániel Fekete.

HC Kufstein vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

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

The HC Kufstein host the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins for their third meeting on Sunday, with the return match taking place in Wattens the following Friday. The Dragons recently celebrated five consecutive wins, with the 6:3 victory over league leaders EHC Lustenau and the 5:2 win in the district derby against Kundl particularly impressive. 

The Penguins will know as early as Friday, following their direct clash with Kundl, whether the two games against Kufstein will still carry significance in the battle to reach the play-offs. In the two previous meetings, the fortress city side won 5:2 at home shortly before Christmas, while in the second game on Epiphany, Kufstein led 3:0 before Wattens launched a comeback. In the end, the Dragons won 4:3 in overtime.

Kufstein chairman Roland Luchner wants his Dragons to continue riding their current wave of success ahead of the weekend double-header: "We want to carry the momentum of five consecutive wins with us. The last two games in particular were really good for us. There is real excitement building in Kufstein again. We now want to continue riding that wave and prepare for the play-offs as best we can. The best way to do that is with two wins. Given how the last few weeks have gone, I am positive that we can do it."

Wattens coach Manfred Burgstaller is focusing on Friday's game against Kundl, but also demands commitment from his players against the Dragons on Sunday: "By Sunday at the latest, we will know in Kufstein what happens next and whether the final two games against Kufstein are still of great importance. But we will be difficult opponents there too, and every player can still make a case for next season."

Division East:

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. ATSE Graz

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

The UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden host ATSE Graz on Saturday and will be the deciding factor in Graz's long-distance battle with HDK Maribor for a play-off place. On Sunday, the Sharks also host the Foxes from Slovenia. The Upper Austrians, who were Division East leaders for a long time, have managed only one win from their last five games – although that came away at ATSE, 3:2. 

Gregor Baumgartner's team go into the weekend in third place, five points behind WEV. The Sharks also recorded a 5:4 away win over Graz in the season opener, before following it up with a clear 7:1 home victory at the beginning of November. ATSE are not in a good position in the race for the final play-off spot, with the Eggenberg side six points behind Maribor with three games remaining in the regular season. However, ATSE would have the edge on head-to-head results if the teams finish level on points.

Markus Losch, head coach of ATSE Graz, recalls the last thrilling meeting on 11 January: "We did not play badly in the last game against Gmunden. It was an open game for a long time, which unfortunately we lost again. I hope that we can compete again in the final meeting this season and perhaps give the Gmunden men a bit of a scare!"

HDK Maribor vs. Kapfenberger SV Kängurus

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

The HDK Maribor host defending champions Kapfenberger SV on Saturday for their final home game of the regular season at Ledena dvorana Maribor. This weekend, the Foxes are looking to secure the final playoff spot in the Eastern Division in their long-distance battle with ATSE Graz. The Slovenian side from the Drava city are six points ahead of the club from their partner city in the table. 

Maribor announced themselves in the Ö Eishockey Liga with a sensational 6:5 victory over the reigning champions in the season opener in October. In the home games, the Kangaroos won 3:1 in early November and, most recently, 6:3 on 11 January.

Maribor head coach Jure Verlič is hoping for another strong home performance against Kapfenberg: "We have played really well at home in the last few games and want to continue that on Saturday. KSV are really good offensively and on the power play, so we have to keep up with them, not give them much time and be disciplined offensively and defensively."

ATSE Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

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

Just a few hours after their away match against the Sharks Gmunden, ATSE Graz face Wiener Eislauf-Verein in the eternal classic on Sunday. As part of this game, the traditional Styrian club will celebrate the 50-year anniversary of its first national ice hockey championship title at Merkur Eisstadion. 

At the heart of these celebrations of one of the major milestones in Graz sporting history are the honouring of the players from the championship generation of 1974/1975 and a showcase by the current generation of active athletes at ATSE Graz - Eishockey. However, the occasion will also see Graz bid farewell to a club icon. Hans Dobida, who made ATSE champions, later served as long-standing ÖEHV president and subsequently became IIHF treasurer, passed away on 16 January in his 96th year. 

From a sporting perspective, the Styrians will already know after the game against Gmunden whether they still have a chance of reaching the playoffs. They have yet to take anything from WEV. Vienna won 5:0 in Graz, followed by 4:0 and 3:2 victories at home.

ATSE head coach Markus Losch: "In our final home game against WEV this season, I hope we can give the fans a victory. The team will try everything possible to win the final home game of the regular season. That would be a nice conclusion in front of what we hope will be a good crowd. To achieve that, we need to play patiently and take our chances."

WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich wants to move a step closer to the stated objective for the end of the regular season after the home double-header against defending champions Kapfenberg: "After the two intense games against Kapfenberg, we will once again prepare well for the game against ATSE during the week. My team will again do everything it can to secure the three points and move one step closer to the goal of finishing the regular season in first place."

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HDK Maribor

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

The UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden concludes its regular-season campaign after the match against ATSE Graz with its second home game within 24 hours on Sunday against HDK Maribor. Whether this match will still carry significance with regard to Maribor qualifying for the play-offs will be known to both clubs on Saturday evening. 

The Sharks have the edge in the head-to-head meetings. The Upper Austrians claimed a narrow 3:2 win in Slovenia in mid-November. In mid-December, Gmunden celebrated a clear 8:2 home win, while the Foxes most recently prevailed narrowly 2:0 at home.

Maribor head coach Jure Verlič knows the Sharks' strengths and how to face them: "We have to be patient and play simple hockey. If we play as a unit and all our players give everything in the battles, we have a better chance of success. It will be a difficult away game for us!"

Ö Eishockey Liga - West Division:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. HC Kufstein

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

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

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

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

Ö Eishockey Liga - East Division:

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. ATSE Graz

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

HDK Maribor vs. KSV Kängurus

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

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

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