ÖEL: EHC Croc­o­diles Kundl win spec­tac­ular district derby against HC Kufstein

The first Kufstein district derby of the new season between EHC Crocodiles Kundl and HC Kufstein Dragons in the Ö Eishockey Liga produced a gripping match.

Both teams, having each started the new campaign with two wins, focused on defence in the opening minutes, with neither side wanting to make the first major mistake. After the initial feeling-out period, a lively game developed at a good pace, with plenty of good passages of play in the Eisarena Kundl, which was slightly misty due to the outside temperature.

An extremely turbulent spell began with Maximilian Agerer’s power-play goal for 1:0 at 14 minutes. The home side’s lead lasted exactly 59 seconds before Kufstein’s Czech new signing David Hrazdira scored the equaliser for 1:1. Again, it took exactly 59 seconds before Mika Perttilä’s team were back in front: Maximilian Agerer made it 2:1, his second goal of the evening.

Emotions flared for the first time after Kundl took the lead. Maximilian Camondo and Tobias Haid clashed and were sent to the penalty box, where Dragons centre Herbert Steiner had already had to take a seat shortly beforehand. Kundl made perfect use of the power play with a beautifully worked move, Christian Baierl finishing to make it 3:1 at 18 minutes.

Gripping derby goes to a penalty shoot-out

The fans witnessed another intense period in the second period, with Kufstein under pressure and pushing for a goal to reduce the deficit. Shortly before the halfway point, the second Czech new signing, Martin Kosnar, sent the travelling Dragons fans into celebration with his goal for 2:3. The derby became more intense and exciting by the minute. The visitors were now pressing for an equaliser, while the Crocodiles defended their territory fiercely.

At 37 minutes, however, they were powerless while shorthanded as Martin Kosnar scored the equaliser for 3:3. Head Coach Ivo Novotny’s side had sensed an opportunity with their new Czech attacking power. 21 seconds before the end of the period, the lively David Hrazdira scored to make it 4:3, giving the Fortress City side the lead for the first time. The Dragons had overturned a 1:3 deficit with a rousing comeback in the middle period.

But the Crocodiles hit back quickly at the start of the final period. Vladimir Dolnik sent the Eisarena into raptures with the equaliser for 4:4 after exactly 44 seconds of play. Both teams then displayed fast ice hockey, with attacks flowing from end to end. There was a playoff atmosphere – and this on the third matchday.

The two goaltenders – Michael Sparr for Kundl and Thomas Hechenberger for Kufstein – increasingly took centre stage. As befits a derby, various pleasantries were also exchanged as the tension mounted.

Towards the end of regulation time, Kundl had some anxious minutes to survive while shorthanded, but made it into overtime. Both teams had the win on their sticks there, but the two netminders did not allow a goal. The home side prevailed in the penalty shoot-out, with Vladimir Dolnik scoring the decisive penalty. Maximilian Agerer also converted his attempt.

With the penalty shoot-out victory, the Crocodiles are top of the West Group table for at least 24 hours.

West Group matchday

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC Kufstein 5:4 after penalties (3:1,0:3,1:0,0:0,1:0)
Tue, 25 October 2022, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl
Goalscorers EHC Crocodiles Kundl: Maximilian Agerer (13:13 min./PP1, 15:11 min.), Christian Baierl (17:41 min./PP1), Vladimir Dolnik (40:44 min., 65:00 min./decisive penalty)
Goalscorers HC Kufstein: David Hrazdira (14:12 min., 39:39 min.), Martin Kosnar (29:44 min., 36:21 min./PP1)

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