ÖEL double round on National Day: WEV face stern test

While Austria celebrates its National Day on Monday, the Österreichische Eishockey Liga (ÖEL) has a full schedule: twelve matches are on the programme across the fourth and fifth rounds between Friday (23 October) and Tuesday (27 October), with every team in action twice.

The action gets under way on Friday at 19:30 with a blockbuster: EHC Kundl (two wins) host league leaders EHC Lustenau, who have won all three matches and have the clinical 40-year-old Chris D’Alvise (seven points) in their ranks. Fellow unbeaten side SC Samina Hohenems (three wins) visit still pointless WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins on Saturday at 19:00. At 19:30, winless Dornbirner Eishockey Club take on HC Kufstein (one win). On National Day, Lustenau host Wattens at 17:30, before the next Vorarlberg derby between Hohenems and Dornbirn takes place at 18:30. Hohenems only won the first encounter in a penalty shoot-out. The Tirol derby between Kufstein and Kundl brings the double round to a close on Tuesday at 19:30.

In the East Division, league leaders WEV (three wins) face a real stern test. On Saturday at 20:15, the Vienna side, led by top scorer Patrick Bolterle, host UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden (two wins), before travelling to KSV Kängurus (two wins) on Sunday at 18:30. The Kängurus are in action beforehand on Saturday at 20:30 away to ASKÖ Grizzlies Linz (one win). Bottom side ATSE Graz are still waiting for their first win and play away to HDK Maribor (one win) on Saturday at 18:30, before hosting Linz on Sunday at 18:30. Maribor conclude the double round on National Day with their away match in Gmunden.