Quarter-final first legs: Hohenems claim emphatic win at WEV – ATSE Graz take the lead against Kufstein

Quarter-final 1 – first leg: Kapfenberger SV leave VEU Feldkirch with no chance

As recently as last year, the quarter-finals featured the match-up of VEU Feldkirch against Kapfenberger SV. After a sensational 5:5 in the first leg, the Kangaroos prevailed in the return leg with a narrow 2:0 victory.

This year, the Styrians once again went into the first of the two games against the team from Vorarlberg as clear favourites and, after a brief feeling-out period, took a 1:0 lead through Christoph Draschkowitz (8.). The Kangaroos were dominant and pressed on: Manuel Trost fired the puck home from the slot to make it 2:0 (12.). Christoph Draschkowitz increased the lead to 3:0 for the Mürztal side from close range on the power play (14.).

Shortly after the start of the second period, VEU had arrived in the play-offs too: Philip Metzler worked the puck over the line to make it 1:3 (22.). The team from Vorarlberg stood their ground and battled for every puck. 

Kapfenberg were too composed and once again highly efficient offensively in the final period: Lukas Draschkowitz scored from the slot to make it 4:1 for the visitors (47.). Just 23 seconds later, the first leg was decided: Florian Hoppl made it 5:1 (48.). Manuel Trost made it 6:1 to give Kapfenberg an even more comfortable lead for the return leg (59.).

Quarter-final 2 – first leg: SC Hohenems thrash WEV in the final period

The quarter-final between Wiener Eislauf-Verein and SC Samina Hohenems is a duel between two open-air specialists, as both teams play their home games outdoors. Normally, that is, as unfortunately the first leg had to be moved to STEFFL Arena 3 due to the weather conditions.

The favourites from Vorarlberg, who had dominated the West Division, took an early lead. Thomas Auer scored to make it 1:0 on the power play. The goal was initially disallowed for a high stick, but after consultation the officials awarded it after all (5.). WEV stood their ground, closed down the spaces and played bravely against the Steinböcke. The fans were treated to a genuine play-off battle.

The Viennese side continued to play bravely in the second period and repeatedly looked to attack. Lukas Kaider won the puck forcefully and scored from close range to level at 1:1 for WEV (26.). Hohenems also made it 2:1 through Matthias Fussenegger from close range (31.). WEV dug in against their opponents and equalised again, with Stefan Nador scoring to make it 2:2 (35.).

The visitors now increased the tempo and were extremely efficient in front of goal: Johannes Hehle made it 3:2 after a one-two with Christian Haidinger (36.). Just under a minute later, the team coached by head coach Thomas Sticha struck again: Benjamin Kyllönen made it 4:2 after a quick counter-attack (37.).

In the final period, Benjamin Kyllönen once again set the favourites from Hohenems firmly on course for victory by making it 5:2 after just 56 seconds (41.). A minute later, Johannes Hehle increased the lead to 6:2 for the Schlittschuhclub. WEV refused to surrender and struck again: Cedric Ehrenreich reduced the deficit to 3:6 (46.).

Hohenems found the right response just 20 seconds later: Niklas Gehringer made it 7:3 (46.) to seal the result. Marcel Wolf added the 8:3 (50.). The team from Vorarlberg were still not satisfied, with Johannes Hehle making it 9:3 (57.).

Benjamin Kyllönen took the score into double figures for Hohenems and, like Johannes Hehle, completed his hat-trick on the night (58.). The return leg in Vorarlberg is now little more than a formality for the West Division favourites.

Quarter-final 3 – first leg: ATSE Graz cause a sensation against HC Kufstein

The ATSE Graz faced HC Kufstein. Both teams started briskly and did not spend much time feeling each other out. The first period was lively from end to end. Graz made perfect use of their power-play opportunities: Mario Petrovitz put the Eggenberg side 1:0 up from close range (9th minute).

The hosts added another on the power play: Stefan Trost let fly and sent the puck into the net for 2:0 (12nd minute). Kufstein, who had gone into the match as slight favourites, had to regroup after the course of the first period and tried to get themselves on the scoreboard in the playoffs.

The Dragons pressed forward in the second period, while the Graz side played an outstanding game and had a reliable presence in goal in Florian Zeugswetter. The match remained open because neither team was initially able to capitalise on their respective power plays. But then Luca Rodiga struck on the power play to make it 3:0 for ATSE Graz (39.).

Things went from bad to worse for Kufstein in the final period: Once again, it was Luca Rodiga who added the 4:0 for the Styrians following a counter-attack (45th minute). HCK top scorer David Hrazdira made it 1:4 on the power play, ensuring that Kufstein retain at least a slim chance in the return leg.

However, the Graz side, superbly set up by Head Coach Markus Losch, restored their four-goal lead, with Luca Rodiga firing the puck home from the slot on a 5:3 power play to make it 5:1 (51 mins), his third goal of the evening. Following a face-off in the offensive zone, the Tyroleans made it 2:5 through Markus Prock (56 mins).

Kufstein were the better team in the final period, but ATSE Graz ultimately celebrated a sensational 5:2 victory and will travel to the second leg at Eisarena Kufstein with a three-goal lead.

Quarter-final 4 – first leg: Crocodiles Kundl edge Zeltweg Murtal Lions

The fourth quarter-final tie in the Ö Eishockey Liga between EHC Crocodiles Kundl and EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions also promised high tension before the start, and the fans at Eisarena Kundl were not disappointed. Both teams engaged in an intense battle, fighting for every inch of ice.

Following their recent successful run, the Crocodiles went into the first leg against the Styrian Lions full of confidence, while the visitors focused on counter-attacks in the opening period. Kundl were dominant but could not turn that superiority into goals. Zeltweg remained dangerous on the break, while both goaltenders – Kyle Plantz for the Crocodiles and Andreas Brenkusch for the Murtal Lions – were immediately in play-off mode.

The appeal of the inter-regional playoffs became more palpable with every passing minute in the second period. Despite the significance of the game, the match remained extremely fair over the opening two periods, with just one penalty against Zeltweg on the board. The first goal came late on: Kevin Pesendorfer made it 1:0 for the visitors from Styria after a determined burst (37nd minute).

The two opponents remained evenly matched in the final period. A long-range shot suddenly made it 1:1. Vladimir Dolnik caught EVZ netminder Andreas Brenkusch off guard to level the score for Crocodiles Kundl (48.).

Then it was crunch time, with Kundl pushing on and taking the lead just under four minutes from the end: Alexander Frandl converted a cross-ice pass from close range to score the much-celebrated 2:1 for the Tyroleans (56th minute). Jaroslav Betka’s team then had to kill off two penalties, but the Styrian Lions were unable to find an equaliser. Kundl’s narrow 2:1 victory sets up an exciting second leg in Zeltweg next Saturday.

Play-offs – quarter-final first legs:

Quarter-final 1 – first leg:

VEU Feldkirch vs. Kapfenberger SV 1:6 (0:3,1:0,0:3)
Sat., 10 February 2024, 19:30, Vorarlberghalle
VEU Feldkirch goalscorer: Philip Metzler (at 21:39)
Kapfenberger SV goalscorers: Christoph Draschkowitz (at 07:52, at 13:56/PP1), Manuel Trost (at 11:42, at 58:37), Lukas Draschkowitz (at 46:45), Florian Hoppl (at 47:08)

Quarter-final 2 – first leg:

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. SC Samina Hohenems 3:10 (0:1,2:3,1:6)
Sat, 10 February 2024, 19:10, STEFFL Arena 3
Wiener Eislauf-Verein goalscorers: Lukas Kaider (at 25:02), Stefan Nador (at 34:23), Cedric Ehrenreich (at 45:15)
SC Samina Hohenems goalscorers: Thomas Auer (at 04:26/PP1), Matthias Fussenegger (at 30:31), Johannes Hehle (at 35:30, at 41:55, at 56:36), Benjamin Kyllönen (at 36:39, at 40:56, at 57:31), Niklas Gehringer (at 45:35), Marcel Wolf (at 49:00)

Quarter-final 3 – first leg:

ATSE Graz vs. HC Kufstein 5:2 (2:0,1:0,2:2)
Sat, 10 February 2024, 19:00, Merkur Eisstadion – Halle A
ATSE Graz goalscorers: Mario Petrovitz (at 08:45/PP1), Stefan Trost (at 11:25/PP1), Luca Rodiga (at 38:55/PP1, at 44:23, at 50:47/PP2)
HC Kufstein goalscorers: David Hrazdira (at 48:51/PP1), Markus Prock (at 55:14)

Quarter-final 4 – first leg:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions 2:1 (0:0,0:1,2:0)
Sat, 10 February 2024, 17:30, Eisarena Kundl
EHC Crocodiles Kundl goalscorers: Vladimir Dolnik (at 47:15), Alexander Frandl (at 55:50)
EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions goalscorer: Kevin Pesendorfer (36:12)

Play-off quarter-final second legs:

Quarter-final 1 – second leg:

Kapfenberger SV vs. VEU Feldkirch
Sat, 17 February 2024, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Quarter-final 2 – second leg:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein
Sat, 17 February 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

Quarter-final 3 – second leg:

HC Kufstein vs. ATSE Graz
Sat, 17 February 2024, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein

Quarter-final 4 – second leg:

EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Sat, 17 February 2024, 19:00, Aichfeldhalle

Play-off format:

From the quarter-finals onwards, the ties are decided over a first and second leg in Champions Hockey League (CHL) format. The club that finished higher in the regular season begins with an away game. The aggregate score from the two matches is used. The team leading on aggregate after the first and second legs advances to the semi-finals.

Should the aggregate score be level at the final buzzer after 120 minutes, the tie will be decided by a ten-minute three-on-three overtime and, if necessary, a penalty shootout with five shooters per team. This means there is no overtime in the first leg. Each first leg ends after 60 minutes either in a draw or with a win in regulation time.

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