League leaders Lustenau take on HC Kufstein – leaders Sharks Gmunden host Maribor

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Fri, 13 December 2024, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

As early as Friday, the WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins and EHC Crocodiles Kundl will face each other in the Lower Inn Valley derby for the third time in as many weeks. 

The two neighbouring teams in the standings no longer hold any secrets from one another, but this “six-pointer” has an explosive starting point: With a win, the Crocodiles can pull clear of fifth place, while Wattens are already fighting to remain in the play-off race. The Penguins won the first meeting at home on 22 November 2:0, while the Crocodiles prevailed 6:2 at Eisarena Kundl.

Wattens coach Manfred Burgstaller confirms the importance of this match for his own team: “Friday’s game against Kundl will certainly be another very tough one. We hope that all of our ill and injured players will be available again. Kundl showed their quality in the last meeting, but on a good day we want to, and hopefully will, once again implement the objective we have for the entire season. We are fighting for every point. We now have to start closing the gap, otherwise the play-offs will become difficult.”

Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier and his team are looking up the standings: “The primary aim for this week is that hopefully a number of players will return to the squad. Regardless of that, we will be playing 100 per cent for the win. It will also be necessary in order not to lose touch with the top places in the standings!”

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Dornbirner EC

Sat, 14 December 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

It is currently Vorarlberg derby time in the West Division: SC Samina Hohenems host Dornbirner EC on Saturday for an open-air festival at Herrenried. Hohenems against Dornbirn – there was something on the first Sunday of Advent: On 1 December, the young Bulldogs celebrated their first win of the current season against the Ibexes in the first direct derby, with a 4:3 overtime thriller at Messestadion.

The skating club from the Counts’ Town is therefore eager for revenge on home ice, as Hohenems head coach Thomas Sticha explains ahead of the rematch: “In the last game against Dornbirn, we failed to convert our good chances. We must and will change that in the return fixture. After the result two weeks ago, it is clear that we must not underestimate Dornbirn, and we will not do so. We will approach the game with focus and secure the three points at our home rink!”

Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger is hoping for another strong derby against Hohenems following the heavy derby defeat to Lustenau: "Two weeks ago, Hohenems were our guests and, from our point of view, it was the best evening of the season so far. Last weekend, we came back down to earth. Hohenems are a very strong team and will certainly want to avenge the defeat; we are aware of that. Playing in Hohenems is difficult for every opponent, as they always have excellent crowd support. We know that Hohenems underestimated us, and they certainly will not do that again this weekend. It will be difficult for us to take points off the Steinböcke, but we have seen that it is possible. We are bottom of the table and would like to change that over the course of the season, but we need points to do so."

EHC Lustenau vs. HC Kufstein

Sat, 14 December 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle

According to the table, the standout game of the round in the West Division takes place at Lustenau's Rheinhalle: leaders and hosts EHC Lustenau face the team in third place ahead of the upcoming round, HC Kufstein. 

The Lions won the first match 4:0, while in the return fixture in Kufstein two weeks ago, the Dragons pushed the league leaders all the way until four and a half minutes from the end, led twice during the game and were level at 3:3 until that point. The Vorarlberg side only secured a 6:3 win with a late surge.

"In both Lustenau and Kufstein, the Tyroleans played very physical ice hockey. We are prepared for that and will respond accordingly and stand up to it. The game in Kufstein a few days ago was on a knife-edge for a long time. In the end, we were able to decide the match in our favour in the final minutes. We will also follow our game plan in Saturday's game and implement it as effectively as possible, so that we can celebrate another home win after the match," said Dániel Fekete, coach of EHC Lustenau.

Kufstein captain Dominique "Gogo" Saringer explains ahead of the third meeting that they are not far from being able to take points off the table-toppers from the Ländle: "We saw in the first two games against Lustenau that we are not far away. At home two weeks ago, it was 3:3 until just under four minutes from the end. In the end, however, they showed their class. We know that we have a chance if everything comes together. However, if we do not stick to our game plan, it will be difficult!"

East Division:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz

Sat, 14 December 2024, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

The Wiener Eislauf-Verein host ATSE Graz on Saturday for the next open-air classic at the WEV Arena in front of Vienna's Konzerthaus. The Viennese side have made an extremely strong start to the season, with five wins from six games. Three overtime victories also demonstrate the fighting spirit of the capital side, who want to continue their winning run at home. Following their narrow 2:1 win over league leaders Sharks Gmunden last time out, WEV are the only team in the East to have inflicted two defeats on the Upper Austrians. 

In their first meeting with ATSE Graz, the Viennese recorded a comfortable 23 November 5:0 victory. WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich is calling on his players to stay out of the penalty box: "We want to deliver another dominant and structured performance in our third consecutive home game. My team cannot afford to take as many penalties as in the last match and must play a focused 60 minutes – then we will have a good chance of picking up points against ATSE as well."

Things have not yet gone as hoped for last season's semi-finalists. With six defeats from seven games – their only win so far came against Maribor – the Styrians are already five points behind the final playoff spot, currently held by the Slovenians. The away match is already hugely important and could set the course for Eggenberg if they are to remain in the race for the playoff places. 

ATSE head coach Markus Losch is hoping for an improved performance from his team to challenge WEV: "After the modest results of recent weeks, the team must improve again in order to get back to winning ways. The first game against WEV was lost 0:5. Games at Heumarkt are always very special and the team needs to rediscover its performance. Overall, the team is looking forward to the game against WEV and we will try to challenge the Viennese in every respect."

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HDK Maribor

Saturday, 14 December 2024, 18:30, Eishalle Gmunden

League leaders UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden welcome HDK Maribor in the East Division on Saturday. The Upper Austrians narrowly won the first meeting 3:2 in Slovenia's second-largest city in mid-November. With five wins from seven games – their only two defeats so far have come against WEV – the Sharks are still sitting top of the table. However, Vienna and defending champions Kapfenberg closed to within four points of the Traunsee side in the last round. 

Gmunden head coach Gregor Baumgartner expects his team to refocus after the defeat in Vienna: "Our aim this week will be to refocus. As surprise leaders, we naturally have to prove ourselves again every week. In some games, though, we find that very difficult – as in Vienna. Against Maribor, the plan is to play simple, honest hockey again. We will only have a chance against the Slovenians if we approach the game with at least the same intensity as the Foxes themselves."

Maribor are currently fourth with eight points, which currently means the final quarter-final place. Following the narrow defeat against the Sharks, the Drava city side suffered a 3:4 overtime loss away to WEV two weeks ago. Head coach Jure Verlič is in Bled this week as an assistant coach at the U20 World Championship, where he faces the ÖEHV selection, coached by Philipp Pinter, with hosts Slovenia on Thursday. 

This time, the Foxes will have head coach Luka Jurić behind the bench, and he knows how his team must perform away against the leaders: "With our head coach proudly representing the Slovenian U20 national team this week, we will certainly feel his absence on the bench. Nevertheless, I have complete trust in our team and the entire coaching staff to successfully implement the game plan we have prepared when we face the league leaders. In the first part of the season, we showed that we can dictate the pace of the game, regardless of the opponent. This Saturday, our focus is on maintaining a disciplined defensive structure and taking our chances in the offensive zone. Discipline, energy and confidence will be the pillars of our performance, and we are determined to bring three points home for our club and our fans!"

Kapfenberger SV have a bye; the Kangaroos return to action against ATSE Graz on 19 December.

Ö Eishockey Liga – Division West:

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Friday, 13 December 2024, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Dornbirner EC

Saturday, 14 December 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

EHC Lustenau vs. HC Kufstein

Sat, 14 December 2024, 17:30, Rheinhalle

Ö Eishockey Liga – East Division:

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HDK Maribor

Sat, 14 December 2024, 18:30, Eishalle Gmunden

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz

Sat, 14 December 2024, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

Kapfenberger SV have a bye.

All standings, statistics and fixtures for the Ö Eishockey Liga in the Gamecenter

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