Open-air double­header as WEV face Kapfen­berg – HC Kufstein meet EHC Kundl in district derby

HC Kufstein vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Fri, 17 January 2025, 19:45, Kufstein Arena

HC KufsteinHC Kufstein face EHC Crocodiles Kundl in the final district derby of the regular season in the Division West at the Kufstein Arena on Friday. While the Dragons secured their playoff place for good with a convincing victory over league leaders Lustenau last weekend, the Crocodiles are still having to look over their shoulders. With four rounds remaining, Kundl occupy the final playoff spot, five points ahead of the Wattens Penguins.

All of the season's derbies to date have been close affairs: at the end of October, Kundl claimed their only victory at home with a 4:3 overtime win. At the beginning of December, Kufstein won 1:0 on home ice, before the fortress town side prevailed 3:1 away from home at the beginning of January.

Kufstein head coach Andreas Luchner knows how his team can succeed again: "We want to make it 3:1 in the season series and secure third place. In terms of our play and sporting performance, we want to build on the last game against Lustenau, get the small details right, stick to the game plan and outwork our opponents. If we execute those things as we did against Lustenau, it will be difficult for Kundl to get anything from the game."

Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier is hoping for a second district derby win: "Unfortunately, HC Kufstein have won two of the three derbies played so far. However, all three games were close and fiercely contested until the final minute. It would be great if we could earn our second win of the season in the fourth meeting!"

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Lustenau

Sat, 18 January 2025, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

For the final time in the regular season, WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins and league leaders EHC Lustenau cross sticks. On Sunday, the Tyroleans missed the big opportunity to close further on Crocodiles Kundl and thus the final playoff spot in their 4:5 overtime defeat to Dornbirn. With four games remaining, Wattens now trail by five points rather than three.

There has been little for the Penguins to take from their meetings with the Lions so far: their away results were 2:6 and 0:4, while they even suffered a 2:9 defeat to the commanding Ländle league leaders at the Alpenstadion at the end of December.

For Wattens coach Manfred Burgstaller the battle for the final playoff spot is not over yet, although he knows it is becoming increasingly difficult: "Even though we still have a mathematical chance of reaching the playoffs, following the loss of two points against Dornbirn it will certainly be very difficult in our home game on Saturday as well, because Lustenau will surely already be trying to play themselves into form for the playoffs. Their commanding lead at the top of the table shows just how strong this team is, but as we have done since the start of the season, we will try everything to stay in the game for as long as possible and make it as difficult as possible for them."

"We want to start this game with plenty of power and energy and set the tone from the outset. Wattens are certainly not to be underestimated. We are hoping for a good course to the game and an early goal so that we can play freely," said Lustenau coach Dániel Fekete.

Dornbirner EC vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sun, 19 January 2025, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

For the third time this season, Dornbirner EC will take on SC Samina Hohenems in the Vorarlberg derby on Sunday. The Bulldogs take to the ice at the Messestadion buoyed by their second win of the season – a 5:4 overtime victory over Wattens last Sunday. 

The hosts also have fond memories of the direct local clash on 1 December, when Head Coach Jaroslav Husar's team beat the Steinböcke 4:3 at home in overtime. In mid-December, Hohenems responded with a 6:2 win at the Herrenried. 

Dornbirn chairman Christof Schwendinger is confident heading into the Vorarlberg derby and hopes for plenty of home fans: "One of the best teams in the league, Hohenems, comes to Dornbirn on Sunday. We are hosting an opponent from whom we have already taken points at home. On Sunday, we expect an opponent that will be ready from the very first second so that they do not fall behind against us at the Messestadion again. Hohenems have a strong, experienced squad with plenty of know-how. The Steinböcke are clear favourites, but derby time is always something special and we are again hoping for plenty of spectators to support our boys. We will try to carry over the tempo from the last game and play well tactically. We have improved our finishing, but we are still conceding too many goals. The mood in the team is good and we were able to boost our confidence a little at the weekend."

Thomas Sticha, Head Coach of SC Samina Hohenems, warns against the Bulldogs but is also aware of his team's strength: "We have experienced ourselves that Dornbirn must not be underestimated, and they showed that again against Wattens at the weekend. However, we will play at our pace and try to put Dornbirn under pressure. Depending on the situation with the returning players, we will have a deep squad for this game. Our goal is crystal clear – to take three points away from Dornbirn!"

Eastern Division:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. KSV Kängurus

Sat, 18 January 2025, 15:00, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. KSV Kängurus

Sun, 19 January 2025, 15:15, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

The cancellation of WEV's first home game in mid-November due to a technical fault has made it possible: the blockbuster clash between Wiener Eislauf-Verein and defending champions Kapfenberger SV Kängurus will become a true open-air classic at the WEV Arena in front of Vienna’s Konzerthaus this weekend, featuring two direct encounters within 24 hours, both in the afternoon in daylight. 

The double-header also brings double the intrigue: Kapfenberg have been the only team able to beat Vienna so far this season, doing so twice. The Kängurus won 6:1 at home on National Day, followed by a 5:1 victory on St Stephen's Day after Christmas. The two encounters are for nothing less than top spot in the table, currently held by WEV with 27 points. Sharks Gmunden are second on 25 points, with Kapfenberg lurking behind them on 24 points.

Philipp Ullrich, Head Coach of WEV, continues to demand maximum concentration from his team: "We are looking forward to the two home games against Kapfenberg. My team will try to be fully focused from the very start. In the final phase of the season, every game and every point counts. We will try to get the maximum out of it."

HDK Maribor vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Sat, 18 January 2025, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

The HDK Maribor will face the UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden for the third time this season on Saturday at the Ledena dvorana Maribor. The situation is certainly an exciting one: while the Upper Austrians are still battling WEV and Kapfenberg in a long-distance race for first place in the Division East, the Foxes are defending fourth place and thus the final play-off spot. Following last weekend, the Slovenians remain three points ahead of ATSE Graz and also have the advantage of having one more game to play. 

The Sharks have so far bitten the Slovenian Drava Valley side twice. In mid-November, Head Coach Gregor Baumgartner's team narrowly won 3:2 in Maribor before following that up with a convincing 8:2 home win in mid-December. 

Maribor Head Coach Jure Verlič wants his team to take their chances more efficiently: "We are playing against a strong opponent that can punish every mistake. We need to be disciplined and patient and wait for our chance. We need to take more of our chances and play better on the special teams."

Gregor Baumgartner, Head Coach of Sharks Gmunden, was relieved after the first win following three consecutive defeats: "We are very happy that we were able to get back to winning ways in Graz. In Maribor, it will be important to play a very good first 20 minutes and find a good rhythm. We also want to improve our efficiency in front of the opposition goal. We are looking forward to an exciting game!"

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

HC Kufstein vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Fri, 17 January 2025, 19:45, Kufstein Arena

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. EHC Lustenau

Sat, 18 January 2025, 19:30, Eislaufplatz Wattens

Dornbirner Eishockey Club vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sun, 19 January 2025, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division East:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. KSV Kängurus

Sat, 18 January 2025, 15:00, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

HDK Maribor vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Sat, 18 January 2025, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. KSV Kängurus

Sun, 19 January 2025, 15:15, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

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