ÖEL: EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions on the attack again

Image note: EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions celebrate their comeback in the Ö Eishockey Liga - Photo: EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions 

After a two-game break due to COVID-19-related cancellations against the Kapfenberger Kängurus and WEV, EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions are back in the Ö Eishockey Liga. Chairman Christian Mayerl has been fighting like the lion in the club logo in recent days to put together a team for the game against UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden. A few young players from the second team, who would otherwise lace up their skates in the Styrian lower league, will be called up to the first team.

Christian Mayerl, Chairman of EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions: "We will play on Saturday. The lads are now returning from quarantine one after another. Now we have to see how they are doing and how they respond to the workload. Some regular players are still missing, and that will continue until 30 November. We have called up a few players from the second team, who will make the step up from the lower league to the Ö Eishockey Liga. We will take the game against the Sharks from Gmunden as it comes and are pleased that the lads are fit again – that is the most important thing."

The Sharks from Gmunden gained confidence with their hard-fought 5:3 home win over WEV and travel to the Zeltweg Murtal Lions Arena highly motivated. With five points from seven games, the Upper Austrians are currently just behind Zeltweg in fourth place.

Thomas Schatzl, Chairman of UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden: "Our players have shown a clear upward trend in recent games. The win over WEV showed what this team is capable of. Motivation is at one hundred per cent!"

In the second North-East Group game, ATSE Graz host Wiener Eislauf-Verein on Saturday at Hall B of the Merkur Eisstadion in Liebenau. Graz most recently had to accept a 2:5 home defeat against Kapfenberg Kängurus, but still remain the closest challengers to the Böhlerstädter in the standings. WEV have suffered defeats in each of their last two games against Gmunden and Kapfenberg. The Viennese last won in October against their current opponents ATSE Graz, when the team coached by Mario Kubeczka prevailed 4:3 after a penalty shoot-out. This game will be live-streamed from 19:00 on Saturday by GPH Media and also by Kleinen Zeitung.

Livestream ATSE Graz vs. WEV

The intense week continues in the west for WSG Swarovski Wattens - Penguins. Three games in five days are on the schedule for Jaroslav Betka's team. On Tuesday, the side from the Crystal City led the Kufstein Dragons 4:3 until the 57th minute, but three goals conceded in just under two minutes ultimately resulted in a 4:6 defeat. The young sharks of HC Innsbruck II visit the Alpenstadion on Friday, before the rescheduled game in Hohenems in the Ländle on Saturday. This game will be live-streamed from 16:00 on Saturday by Online-Sport.

The Vorarlberg side are smiling down from the top of the table after seven wins from seven games and an impressive goal difference of 44:5. After four emphatic wins at the start of the season, Bernd Schmidle's team have recently been challenged far more by Wattens, Kufstein and Kundl, without ever being in real danger of losing any of the games.

Livestream SC Hohenems vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens - Penguins

The Kufstein local derby between EHC Crocodiles Kundl and HC Kufstein Dragons also promises pure excitement. The battle for second place has intensified in the west. Wattens Penguins and Kundl Crocodiles are both on nine points, just one point behind Kufstein Dragons. The Dragons travel to Eisarena Kundl buoyed by a spectacular last-minute victory, having scored three times from the 57th to the 59th minute to come back from a 3:4 deficit against Wattens. The Crocodiles gave the league leaders from Hohenems a full test in their last home game, a 1:4 defeat, and even drew the final period 1:1.

The South Group in Carinthia is currently on hold and will only resume play after the end of the lockdown.

WSG Swarovski Wattens - Penguins vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II
Fri, 26 November 2021, 19:30

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC Kufstein Dragons
Fri, 26 November 2021, 19:30

SC Hohenems vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens - Penguins
Sat, 27 November 2021, 16:00 - Livestream on Online-Sport

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden
Sat, 27 November 2021, 19:00

ATSE Graz vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein 
Sat, 27 November 2021, 19:30 - Livestream by GPH Media