ÖEHV youth leagues: VSV U17 retain title with sweep against Salzburg

Villach, who had secured their first match point in the final series with two away wins in Liefering – 3:2 after overtime and 5:3 – trailed twice in the eventful and exciting third final against EC Red Bull Salzburg. Dominik Ferner gave Salzburg an early 1:0 lead (4 min.). Paul Sintschnig levelled at 1:1 for the Blue-Whites (11 min.). Just 43 seconds later, Lucas Hartl put Red Bull Salzburg back in front (12 min.). In the second period, Leif Erd scored 2:2 for the hosts with a snapshot from a tight angle (26 min.).

Both teams continued to trade blows in the final period, with Head Coach Robert Moser’s side ultimately prevailing. On the power play, Benjamin Topalovič gave Salzburg goaltender Gabriel Lemberger no chance and put VSV ahead for the first time with his goal for 3:2 (48 min.). 

The visitors had to throw everything forward, but Benjamin Topalovič struck again, finding the empty net 16 seconds before the end to seal VSV’s successful title defence (60 min.). VSV’s U17 lifted the championship trophy for the second successive year and, after a 3:0 win in the best-of-five series against EC Red Bull Salzburg, are Austrian champions of the ÖEHV U17 Championship 2024/2025. 

Third place was claimed by the U17 of Eishockey Akademie Oberösterreich, who prevailed against Eishockey-Akademie Steiermark in Graz over two games in the Champions Hockey League format, winning 8:6 on aggregate (3:2 and 5:4).

ÖEHV U17 Championship – 3rd final:

EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV vs. EC Red Bull Salzburg 4:2 (1:2,1:0,2:0)

Wed, 19 March 2025, 18:15, Villach Stadthalle

EC VSV scorers: Paul Sintschnig (11 min.), Leif Erd (26 min.), Benjamin Topalovič (48 min./PP1, 60 min./EN)

Red Bull Salzburg scorers: Dominik Ferner (4 min.), Lucas Hartl (12 min.)

The EC iDM Wärmepumpen VSV won the best-of-five series 3:0 and are Austrian champions of the ÖEHV U17 Championship 2024/2025.