ÖEL: Spittal see off Velden in over­time

Photo caption: Things heated up between EC LiWoDruck Spittal and USC Pirates Velden - Photo copyright: Hockey 24/7

In the Southern group, the showdown between EC LiWoDruck Spittal and USC Pirates Velden developed into a tight contest from the outset of the first period. Luca Komar gave the Hornets the lead (6.), before the Pirates from Velden responded with an equaliser through Lukas Titze (9.). In the second period, Daniel Nageler put the home side back in front at 2:1 (25.). Marco Zorec even extended the lead to 3:1 (32.). However, head coach Herwig Gressel's side were not beaten so easily and Patrick Edlinger pulled one back (33.).

The two teams gave nothing away in the final period either. Philipp Wilhelmer equalised at 3:3 for the Pirates (45.), before Daniel Wachter had the players from the western shore of Lake Wörthersee celebrating the 4:3 a few minutes later (51.). Spittal now had to throw everything forward. Kevin Essmann sent the league leaders into overtime, where Essmann again rescued the Hornets with the winning goal after one minute and one second.

The second Southern group match between 1. EHC Althofen and ESC SoccerZone Steindorf had to be cancelled as a medical precaution due to a COVID-19 case. A new date will follow.

In the Styrian ice hockey classic, ATSE Graz looked the better side against league leaders Kapfenberger SV – EHC in the opening period. Against the run of play, the visitors took the lead. Thomas Koller caught ATSE netminder Daniel Brunner out with a saveable long-range shot (16.). In the second period, Kapfenberg once again showed their efficiency in front of goal. Following a face-off in the offensive zone, Patrick Huppmann collected the puck and fired it in unstoppable for 2:0 (23.). Graz tried to finally get on the scoreboard, but the Kangaroos defended skilfully in their own zone. Shortly before the end of the period, Andreas Meixner pulled one back by deflecting a Nino Jus shot into the net from close range (38.).

Graz initially applied more pressure in the final period. Following a serious error by the Kapfenberg defence, Nino Jus equalised at 2:2 (49.). Then came the decisive phase of the game: Kapfenberg had a 5:3 power play and made perfect use of their numerical advantage. Stefan Trost first hammered the puck into the top corner (50.). Shortly afterwards, Trost again wasted no time after a pass from Adrian Stühlinger and made it 4:2 (52.). In the closing stages, Graz risked everything, pulled netminder Daniel Brunner early and also had two power plays. Stefan Trost sealed the win with an empty-net goal five seconds from time to complete his hat-trick. The Kangaroos are now clear leaders of the North-East group with 19 points from seven games.

The second match between Wiener Eislauf-Verein and EV Zeltweg - Murtal Lions had to be postponed as a medical precaution due to COVID-19 cases. A new date will follow.

SC Hohenems had already celebrated a 4:1 victory over EHC Crocodiles Kundl on Friday. Thomas Auer scored the opener for the Vorarlberg side in the seventh minute. The Crocodiles kept the game open for a long time before Johannes Hehle made it 2:0 for Schlittschuhclub (27.). When Jürgen Fussnegger extended the lead to 3:0 (34.), the game appeared to be decided.

However, as announced before the match, the Tyroleans fought tenaciously, gave the league leaders a stern test and pulled back to 1:3 through Vladimir Dolnik in the final period (54.). Stefan Spannring put the seal on the victory shortly before the end with the 4:1 (57.). SC Hohenems remain without a dropped point, with seven wins from seven games and an impressive goal difference of 44:5.

EC LiWoDruck Spittal vs. USC Pirates Velden 5:4 n.V. (1:1,2:1,1:2, 1:0)
Sat., 20 November 2021, 18:15
EC LiWoDruck Spittal scorers:Luca Komar (05:55 min.), Daniel Nageler (24:15 min.), Marco Zorec (31:48 min.), Kevin Essmann (55:41 min.), Kevin Essmann (61:01 min.)
USC Pirates Velden scorers:Lukas Titze (08:04 min.), Patrick Edlinger (32:52 min.), Philipp Wilhelmer (44:25 min.), Daniel Wachter (50:09 min.)

1. EHC Althofen vs. ESC SoccerZone Steindorf
Postponed - new date to follow

ATSE Graz vs. Kapfenberger SV - EHC 2:5 (0:1,1:1,1:3)
Sat., 20 November 2021, 19:30
ATSE Graz scorers:Andreas Meixner (37:27 min.), Nino Jus (48:12 min.)
Kapfenberger SV - EHC scorers:Thomas Koller (15:34), Patrick Huppmann (22:04), Stefan Trost (49:58), Stefan Trost (51:19), Stefan Trost (59:55)

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. EV Zeltweg - Murtal Lions
Postponed – new date to follow

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Hohenems 1:4 (0:1,0:2,1:1)
Fri, 19 November 2021, 19:30
EHC Crocodiles Kundl goalscorer: Vladimir Dolnik (53:07)
SC Hohenems goalscorers: Thomas Auer (05:28), Johannes Hehle (26:34), Jürgen Fussnegger (33:46), Stefan Spannring (56:39)