Ö Eishockey Liga: HC Kufstein cele­brate convincing victory over SC Hohenems

To conclude the round, HC Kufstein hosted SC Samina Hohenems at the Eisarena Kufstein on Sunday for the third time this season. The visitors took a 1:0 lead through Marcel Wolf (9th min.). Just 30 seconds later, Philipp Sappl equalised at 1:1 following a quick counter-attack (10th min.). Almost three minutes later, Valentin Hammerle scored at the third attempt to give the Dragons a 2:1 lead (13th min.).

In an intensely contested game, Valentin Hammerle struck again after a superb solo run to make it 3:1 for Kufstein in the second period (27th min.). Shortly afterwards, Christian Haidinger poked the puck over the line from close range to make it 2:3 for the Steinböcke (29th min.).

Two minutes after the halfway point of the game, the Dragons restored their two-goal lead: Manuel Eder scored from the slot to make it 4:2 (33th min.). Two minutes later, Aleksi Airaksinen gratefully took advantage of Hohenems goalie Karlo Škec leaving his net to score into the empty net for 5:2 (35th min.). Just 48 seconds later, Christian Haidinger reduced the deficit to 3:5 (35th min.), and after a further 59 seconds, Eric Ockert made it 4:5 following a Vorarlberg counter-attack (36th min.).

In the final period, Valentin Hammerle completed his hat-trick to extend the lead to 6:4 (44th min.). Kufstein's new signing from the Czech Republic, Tomáš Vildumetz, then introduced himself to the fans by scoring the 7:4 power-play goal (46th min.). With this victory, the Tyroleans consolidated third place in the table behind Hohenems, who are now already seven points behind leaders Lustenau.

Lustenau edge Kundl in thriller

League leaders EHC Lustenau faced EHC Kundl in the Division West on Saturday, with the game starting an hour late due to a fault with the ice-resurfacing machine at Lustenau's Rheinhalle.

The Lions were clearly superior in the first period but repeatedly came up against outstanding netminder Jakub Kostelny. Kundl stood firm, killed off the first penalty and took the lead late in the opening period: Michal Kluka made it 1:0 for the Tyroleans, who had travelled to the Ländle with just ten skaters, a minute and a half before the first buzzer (19th min.).

At the start of the second period, the home side showed why they are currently the dominant leaders in the West. A quick double from Timo Demuth (25th min.) and Robin Wüstner (26th min.) swiftly turned the game around for Lustenau. The Vorarlberg side continued to dominate. Kundl initially refused to give in, however; on the contrary, Alexander Gruber equalised on the power play at exactly the halfway point of the game to make it 2:2 (31th min.).

In the final period, the Unterinntal side continued to put up a determined fight and suddenly took the lead: Matko Pavetić's goal for 3:2 briefly allowed Kundl to dream of an upset in the Ländle (52th min.). Christopher D‘Alvise, however, quickly equalised shorthanded for 3:3 (53th min.). A double strike ultimately put the leaders on course for victory: Robin Wüstner gave them a 4:3 lead (56th min.), and 41 seconds later Lucas Haberl made it 5:3 on the scoreboard (57th min.).

The superbly battling Kundl side did not give up, pulling netminder Kostelny late on, and Michal Kluka scored a power-play goal to reduce the deficit to 4:5 with 30 seconds remaining (60th min.), but there was no more to come. Lustenau won and became the first team to seal a playoff place this season.

Wattens Penguins firmly back in playoff race after victory over Dornbirn

The WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins faced Dornbirner EC Bulldogscrossed sticks for the third time and engaged in an open exchange in the first period. Luca Muigg gave the hosts a 1:0 lead (7.). The Bulldogs then turned the game around: Janic Heisig equalised at 1:1 (10.), while Niklas Gesson put the Vorarlberg side 2:1 ahead on the power play just under five minutes later (15.). Wattens responded quickly, with Sandro Wille making it 2:2 (16.).

The Penguins made a lightning start to the middle period: Patrick Huber made it 3:2 after just 46 seconds, putting the Tyroleans back in front for the second time that evening (21.). The Bulldogs dug in and Alessandro Togni equalised at 3:3 shortly before the halfway point of the game (30.). Exactly two minutes after the equaliser, the hosts were back in front: Alexander Erlacher made it 4:3 (32.).

The game remained exciting in the final period and became a thriller when Danny Madlener equalised at 4:4 for Dornbirn (45.). With two goals within 14 seconds, the Penguins suddenly held a two-goal lead for the first time that evening: Alexander Erlacher first made it 5:4 (49.), before Daniel Frischmann scored to make it 6:4 (49.). Wattens ultimately celebrated their second consecutive win and, just three points behind Kundl, are firmly back in the race for a play-off place.

Eastern Division:

KSV Kängurus give ATSE Graz no chance

Saturday saw the Styrian derby between ATSE Graz and KSV Kängurus take place for the fourth time this season in the Eastern Division, with the clash being held at the Grazer Bunker in Liebenau for the second time.

The visitors, who were finally able to train in their own arena again this week, made a dream start: a double strike from Christoph Draschkowitz and Maximilian Ramsbacher within 33 seconds put Kapfenberg 2:0 ahead early on (4.). Less than two minutes later, Luca Fasching made it 3:0 (6.), ending the day for ATSE netminder Lukas Troppenauer – Graz had to do without their regular goaltenders Florian Zeugswetter and Gernot Fally. ÖEL debutant Artur Striedinger replaced him in goal after the third concession.

Graz got on the scoresheet shortly afterwards, with Mathias Werkl cutting the deficit to 1:3 (7.). Kapfenberg extended their lead before the end of the first period. Pierre Graf made it 4:1 (13.), before Kevin Moderer scored on the power play to make it 5:1 (17.).

The Mürztal side showed no mercy in the second period either, adding plenty more goals. Lukas Fassmann (24.), Lukas Draschkowitz (27.), Kevin Moderer (31.) and Maximilian Ramsbacher (34.) extended the lead to 9:1, before Niki Zierer pulled one back to make it 2:9 for ATSE (38.). Phileas Lyssy made it a double-digit score for Kapfenberg with the 10:2 exactly one second before the end of the period (40.).

In the final period, KSV player Kevin Moderer and ATSE's Cornelius Kaschnig saw their game end early following an altercation. The Kängurus comfortably saw out the game, with Christoph Draschkowitz adding the final goal for 11:2 (56.).

Sharks Gmunden extend winning streak at HDK Maribor

The HDK Maribor hosted defending champions UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden at the Ledna dvorana Maribor on Saturday in the Eastern Division. The current bottom side from Slovenia and the commanding league leaders from Gmunden faced each other for the third time this season.

The Upper Austrians once again played with composure in the opening period, waiting patiently before striking clinically on their first power play after surviving an early penalty kill: Fabian Richter gave the Sharks a 1:0 lead (14.). Just under three minutes later, Hubert Berger made it 2:0 (17.).  

In the second period, the Foxes once again proved that giving up is not an option for them: Adi Drnda pulled it back to 1:2, making the game exciting again (28.). The game remained on a knife edge in the final period too. It was only Hubert Berger's second goal, making it 3:1 just under four minutes from time, that secured the win for the Sharks (56.).

In the end, the side from the Drava city pulled goaltender Omar Ždralović twice, and André Flatscher scored into the empty net to make it 4:1 (59.). The defending champions from Lake Traun celebrated their ninth win in nine games.

Ö Eishockey Liga - West Division:

HC Kufstein vs. SC Samina Hohenems 7:4 (2:1,3:3,2:0)
Sun., 14 December 2025, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein
HC Kufstein scorers: Philipp Sappl (09:01), Valentin Hammerle (12:04, 26:46, 43:46) Manuel Eder (32:14), Aleksi Airaksinen (34:07), Tomáš Vildumetz (45:05/PP1)
SC Hohenems scorers: Marcel Wolf (08:31), Christian Haidinger (28:31, 34:55), Eric Ockert (35:54)

EHC Lustenau vs. EHC Kundl 5:4 (0:1,2:1,3:2)
Sat., 13 December 2025, 18:30, Rheinhalle Lustenau
EHC Lustenau scorers: Timo Demuth (24:17), Robin Wüstner (25:48, 55:50), Christopher D‘Alvise (52:57/SH1), Lucas Haberl (56:31)
EHC Kundl scorers: Michal Kluka (18:31, 59:30/PP1), Alexander Gruber (30:00/PP1), Matko Pavetić (51:17)

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. Dornbirner EC Bulldogs 6:4 (2:2,2:1,2:1)
Sat., 13 December 2025, 19:30, Alpenstadion Wattens
Wattens Penguins scorers: Luca Muigg (06:57), Sandro Wille (15:42), Patrick Huber (20:46), Alexander Erlacher (31:17, 48:11), Daniel Frischmann (48:25)
Dornbirner EC Bulldogs scorers: Janic Heisig (09:03), Niklas Gesson (14:09/PP1), Alessandro Togni (29:17), Danny Madlener (44:44)

Ö Eishockey Liga - East Division:

ATSE Graz vs. KSV Kängurus 2:11 (1:5,1:5,0:1)
Sat., 13 December 2025, 18:30, Graz Merkur Eisstadion (Hall A)
ATSE Graz scorers: Mathias Werkl (06:41), Nikoluas Zierer (37:53)
KSV Kängurus scorers: Christoph Draschkowitz (03:25 min, 55:21 min), Maximilian Ramsbacher (03:58 min, 33:01 min), Luca Fasching (05:32 min), Pierre Graf (12:44 min), Kevin Moderer (16:10 min/PP1, 30:32 min), Lukas Fassmann (23:46 min), Lukas Draschkowitz (25:33 min), Phileas Lyssy (39:59 min)

HDK Maribor vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden 1:4 (0:2,1:0,0:2)
Sat, 13 December 2025, 18:30, Ledna dvorana Maribor
HDK Maribor scorer: Adi Drnda (27:33 min)
Sharks Gmunden scorers: Fabian Richter (13:28 min/PP1), Hubert Berger (16:18 min, 55:53 min), André Flatscher (58:43 min/EN)

Wiener Eislauf-Verein have a bye.

Ö Eishockey Liga format 2025/2026

The Ö Eishockey Liga began the new season with the first matchday on 4 October 2025. In its fifth year, the format will undergo a change in Phase 1 in both the West Division, with six teams, and the East Division, with five teams. In the East Division, there will be two and a half home-and-away rounds in the coming season, resulting in 20 games per team. In the West Division, as in the previous season, two home-and-away rounds will be played, also resulting in 20 games per team.

After Phase 1, an inter-regional playoff will once again take place, beginning with the quarter-finals on 07 February 2026. A playoff pick will again provide additional excitement after the regular season in the coming campaign. The highest-ranked team in each of the West and East Divisions may choose its quarter-final opponent from the team placed third or fourth in the other division. From the quarter-finals through the semi-finals to the final, the playoff match-ups will be decided in a best-of-three series (H/A/H) from the coming season onwards.

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

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