ÖEL: "Back-to-Back" in the North-East Group

Image note: EV Zeltweg - Murtal Lions goalscorer Andreas Forcher scores to make it 1:2 against ATSE Graz - Photo credit: Ingo Gröbl

Many exciting games, but also plenty of goals. The Ö Eishockey Liga is providing plenty to talk about in Austrian ice hockey. Most recently on National Day, also because of the abandonment of the game in Gmunden after the ice-resurfacing machine failed following the second period.

At that point, UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden had been leading North-East Group leaders Kapfenberger SV EHC 2:1. Now, the “return match” will take place in Leoben as early as Saturday, bringing play-off feeling to the still young season.

The Styrian “back-to-back” clash also promises to be exciting. ATSE Graz host EV Zeltweg - Murtal Lions at Graz’s Bunker B on Saturday. In the small arena in Liebenau, the Murtal Lions will be out for revenge for the 1:3 defeat on home ice. Head coach Gilbert Kühn’s team were unable to turn their superiority in play into goals on Tuesday. Graz were more efficient in front of goal and, backed by a strong performance from goaltender Florian Zeugswetter, took three important away points from Zeltweg.

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II’s young players face a demanding schedule of three games in five days over the extended weekend. The team coached by Manfred Chizzali had to learn some hard lessons in their 0:7 opening defeat against SC Hohenems.

However, results are currently secondary. The focus is on introducing young players to the senior team and getting them used to the higher pace of the Ö Eishockey Liga. On Thursday, the Haie take on HC Kufstein Dragons at Innsbruck’s TIWAG Arena (watch live).

The fortress city side suffered a 0:9 defeat against Hohenems at the start of the league. Their first home game ended in a narrow 0:1 loss to WSG Swarovski Wattens - Penguins. This means one of the two teams will claim their first win of the season on Thursday. Coach Ivo Novotny’s team are back in action on Friday in the district derby against EHC Crocodiles Kundl. It is a heated clash, with the two ice rinks only around 25 kilometres apart.

After a day off, Innsbrucker Haie II are then in action against WSG Swarovski Wattens - Penguins on Saturday. The ice rinks of the two opponents are in fact only around 16 kilometres apart. On Monday, Innsbruck conclude the long weekend with their second meeting against SC Hohenems.

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II vs. HC Kufstein Dragons
Thu, 28 October 2021, 19:00
Livestream

HC Kufstein Dragons vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Fri, 29 October 2021, 19:45

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens - Penguins
Sat, 30 October 2021, 17:00

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II vs. SC Hohenems
Mon, 01 November 2021, 18:30

West Group standings

Kapfenberger SV EHC vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 30 October 2021, 19:00

ATSE Graz vs. EV Zeltweg - Murtal Lions
Sat, 30 October 2021, 19:30

North-East Group standings (subject to confirmation due to the abandoned game in Gmunden)