Quarter-finals: Hohenems eager for revenge against Kapfen­berg – Gmunden take on HC Kufstein

Quarter-final 1 – first leg: HDK Maribor vs. EHC Lustenau

Sat., 08 February 2025, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor

League newcomers HDK Maribor reached the playoffs in the Ö Eishockey Liga at the first attempt and face the dominant winners of the Division West and the second league newcomers –  EHC Lustenau. The Foxes were the last team to qualify for the playoffs on 26 January and now take on the ÖEL's most potent attacking side. 123 goals in 20 games speak for themselves, equating to an average of more than six goals per game. 

Their regular-season record is equally impressive: the Lions have 18 wins and just two defeats – once away in the derby against Hohenems and once away against Kufstein. The Slovenians recorded four regular-season wins, with their opening-game victory particularly sensational, as Danilo Tomašević's "Michigan Move" 58 seconds from the end secured a 6:5 win against defending champions Kapfenberg.

Maribor head coach Jure Verlič wants his team to challenge the heavy favourites from Vorarlberg: "The regular season is over and we have to forget about it. We achieved our first goal by reaching the playoffs. I think Lustenau are a great team with good individual players and they are the favourites, but we have shown this season that we can play good ice hockey and cause problems for bigger and better teams. They score a lot of goals, so we have to play very well defensively and avoid taking unnecessary penalties. If every player gives 100 per cent in defence, we can achieve a good result at home. Our fans can give us extra energy in the playoffs!"

"The quarter-final will be decided in just two games. That makes it all the more important to play with focus from the outset and avoid surprises. As Division West winners, we are going into this series as favourites, but we will certainly not underestimate Maribor. Our aim is to put ourselves in a good position to reach the semi-finals in the first leg," explains EHC Lustenau coach Dániel Fekete.

Quarter-final 2 – first leg: EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat., 08 February 2025, 17:30, Eisarena Kundl

The EHC Crocodiles Kundl host the Division East winners – Wiener Eislauf-Verein – in the first leg of the quarter-finals at Eisarena Kundl on Saturday. The Tyroleans are appearing in the Ö Eishockey Liga playoffs for the third time. In their debut season, the Crocodiles' campaign ended in the quarter-finals against 1st-placed EHC Althofen; last year, Kundl advanced to the semi-finals against Zeltweg with an aggregate score of 5:3, before suffering an aggregate defeat of 4:10 against SC Hohenems. 

The Unterinntal side only secured their place in the playoffs late in the current season – on 24 January – with a penalty-shootout victory against Wattens. WEV are also in the quarter-finals for the third time. In 2022/2023, the Viennese side were eliminated in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Steindorf. Last year, they were no match for SC Hohenems in the quarter-finals. What is new for the team coached by head coach Philipp Ullrich is the feeling of entering the playoffs as division winners. They have 13 wins and just three defeats – all against Kapfenberg. 

Both teams have shown strong nerves when games have gone to overtime. The capital side won twice after overtime and twice in penalty shootouts. Kundl won twice in overtime and once in a penalty shootout.

Kundl chairman Gerhard Maier assigns the favourites’ role to WEV and promises two exciting games: "We are looking forward to two certainly very exciting match-ups. With WEV, a traditional club is coming to the Kundl ice arena, and we are delighted to be able to test ourselves against the Group East regular-season winners. The favourites’ role clearly lies with the Viennese side – we will give 100 per cent and do our very best!"

WEV head coach Philipp Ullrich rates the quarter-final opponent highly: "The regular season is over and we are now looking forward to the play-offs. Kundl are a strong opponent; we will prepare as well as possible and make life as difficult as possible for them!"

Quarter-final 3 – first leg: SC Samina Hohenems vs. KSV Kängurus

Sat., 08 February 2025, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

The blockbuster quarter-final tie is SC Samina Hohenems against defending champions Kapfenberger SV Kängurus. The Vorarlberg side still have a score to settle with the Styrians following their defeat in last year’s final. The first leg in Herrenried in particular remains memorable, when the Kängurus led 3:0 after exactly 02:10 of the first period and laid the foundations for the championship title with a 4:1 away win. The return leg ended 4:4 in front of the ÖEL’s record crowd to date of 3.200 fans at Stadthalle Kapfenberg, as Kapfenberg became champions of the Ö Eishockey Liga for the first time. 

Play-off clashes between the two clubs already have a tradition in the league’s still young history. In addition to last year’s final, the Steinböcke and Kängurus met in the semi-finals in the 2021/2022 season, with the Mürztal side winning 11:5 on aggregate; a year later, SC Hohenems again claimed a 9:5 aggregate victory in the semi-finals.

Hohenems head coach Thomas Sticha is looking forward to a genuine play-off battle against the reigning champions: "Kapfenberg are now an opponent with whom we still have a score to settle from last season. Kapfenberg have a compact team, well stocked across three lines, which is dangerous in front of goal and efficient. But we will be focused and close down the spaces. As play-offs are, it will certainly be a physical game and we are ready for it. Our aim is to put in a good performance over the full 60 minutes. I also hope for plenty of spectators and that our home game becomes a cauldron!"

Quarter-final 4 – first leg: UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HC Kufstein

Sat., 08 February 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

The UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden face HC Kufstein in the quarter-final first leg at the Muki Eisarena Gmunden on Saturday. For the Upper Austrians, it is their second play-off appearance in the Ö Eishockey Liga after their debut season in 2021/2022. Back then, the Sharks were eliminated by SC Hohenems in the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 6:13. 

In the current campaign, the team coached by head coach Gregor Baumgartner comfortably reached the last eight. For a long time, the Sharks from Lake Traun even led the Division East table, but ultimately Gmunden finished third, four points behind WEV. They were three points behind defending champions Kapfenberg in the standings. The Sharks have been strong at home this season, losing only two games against WEV – one of them in a penalty shoot-out. 

HC Kufstein travel to Lake Traun on the back of eight consecutive wins; the Dragons’ last defeat came in Hohenems on St Stephen’s Day. For the Tyroleans, it is their third play-off appearance; only in the inaugural ÖEL season were the fortress city side not involved. In 2022/2023, Kufstein were eliminated by eventual champions Steindorf in the semi-finals, while last year their campaign ended against ATSE Graz in the quarter-finals.

Gregor Baumgartner, head coach of Sharks Gmunden, knows Kufstein's strengths but is also confident in his team: "We are delighted to be in the play-offs this year. Kufstein are certainly a very strong opponent, but we will strive to deliver our best performance!"

Kufstein chairman Roland Luchner is looking forward to an ice hockey celebration at Lake Traunsee: "We are really looking forward to the start of the play-offs. Gmunden are a very attractive opponent and the geographical proximity will allow our fans to be there live. We expect 100 to 150 fans to travel with us. It will certainly be a great ice hockey celebration. From a sporting perspective, we arrive full of confidence after eight consecutive wins. A win is our clear goal."

Ö Eishockey Liga – play-offs – quarter-final first legs

HDK Maribor vs. EHC Lustenau

Sat, 08 February 2025, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor 

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein

Sat, 08 February 2025, 17:30, Eisarena Kundl

SC Samina Hohenems vs. KSV Kängurus

Sat, 08 February 2025, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. HC Kufstein

Sat, 08 February 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden

Ö Eishockey Liga – play-offs – quarter-final second legs

EHC Lustenau vs. HDK Maribor

Sat, 15 February 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl

Sat, 15 February 2025, 18:30, WEV Arena, Lothringerstraße 22

KSV Kängurus vs. SC Samina Hohenems

Sat, 15 February 2025, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

HC Kufstein vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Sat, 15 February 2025, 17:00, Eisarena Kufstein

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