SC Hohenems edge HC Kufstein – cham­pions Sharks Gmunden beat KSV Kängurus

As in the previous season, Saturday's big opening clash in Division West was HC Kufstein against SC Samina Hohenems at the atmospheric Eisarena am Fischergries, right beside the River Inn.

In the opening minutes, Hohenems new signing Eric Ockert, who trained with Eisbären Berlin Juniors, made his mark on the game. He first had to serve a two-minute penalty, but shortly afterwards the German made an impressive introduction to the Ö Eishockey Liga with a powerful shot from just behind the blue line to make it 1:0 to Hohenems (9th minute).

The Vorarlberg side pressed on, with Niklas Gehringer finishing a magnificent solo run from the centre line to make it 2:0 (15th minute). Just under a minute before the end of the period, Stefan Reiter broke in front of goal down the right while shorthanded and reduced the deficit to 1:2 for the Dragons (19th minute).

The Steinböcke made an ideal start to the second period: Benjamin Kyllönen scored from a tight angle following a fine combination to make it 3:1 to the Emser (22nd minute). Kufstein then scored what appeared to be the goal that would reduce the deficit, but despite protests from the Dragons players, the referee signalled ‘No Goal’.

The Fortress City side then made it 2:3 on the power play: Clemens Paulweber converted a classic tic-tac-toe from close range (38th minute), making the showdown highly exciting again before the end of the second period. In the final period, the team coached by Andreas Luchner pushed for the equaliser, including on three power-play opportunities. With a minute and a half remaining, the Dragons pulled new goalkeeper Thomas Pfarrmaier, but the Hohenems defence, together with goaltender Karlo Škec, held on to the narrow lead.

EHC Lustenau celebrate opening win against EHC Kundl

The EHC Lustenau began their second Ö Eishockey Liga season on Saturday at the Rheinhalle against EHC Kundl. The Lions celebrated what they thought was an early lead, but the head referee had previously called a slash and a penalty against Lucas Haberl. Both teams played from a solid defensive base in the first period. With five and a half minutes remaining in the period, Lustenau's first goal of the season arrived: Adem Kandemir converted a cross-ice pass from Dominik Oberscheider from close range to make it 1:0 (15th minute).

The hosts made a lightning start to the second period: Chris D’Alvise was perfectly positioned after a rebound from Kundl goaltender Jakub Kostelny and buried the puck after 53 seconds to make it 2:0 (21st minute). With the 2:0 lead behind them, Lustenau continued to dominate, but Kostelny played well to keep the Tyrolean visitors in the game until the end of the period. After 44 seconds of the final period, the game briefly became exciting again: Kundl's new import Michal Kluka finished a lightning-quick attack to make it 1:2 (41st minute).

Lustenau had the perfect response: Martin Grabher Meier scored from close range after a fine attack to make it 3:1 (43rd minute). Kundl's Alexander Frandl was then sent to the dressing room with a five-minute major plus game misconduct penalty for a check to the head, while Lucas Haberl was handed a two-minute penalty for the Vorarlberg side.

No goals were scored during this phase. Kundl then had two further power plays in the closing minutes and eventually pulled goaltender Jakub Kostelny, but the Tyroleans were unable to beat Lustenau goalkeeper Lukas Reihs again. The team coached by Dániel Fekete opened their second ÖEL season with a 3:1 victory.

Ö Eishockey Liga – Division East:

Defending champions Sharks Gmunden win showdown against KSV Kängurus

The reigning Ö Eishockey Liga champions and title holders, UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden faced KSV Kängurus.

After just under three and a half minutes, the Styrians had their first power-play opportunity, but instead of taking the lead, the Mürztal side suddenly found themselves 0:1 behind: Gmunden new signing Hubert Berger – who played for Zell am See in the Alps Hockey League last season – scored on the rebound following a quick counter-attack (4.).

The game on Lake Traun then developed into a close contest in which neither team gave anything away defensively. Both goalies – Luka Gračnar for the Sharks and Oliver Zirngast for the Kängurus – kept clean sheets. Neither side was able to make further use of their power-play units, leaving the defending champions with a slender one-goal lead after 40 minutes.

The game remained highly exciting in the final period, becoming more intense and emotional: Sharks defenceman Jonas Kail and KSV blueliner Maximilian Ramsbacher engaged in a remarkable scrap. Just under five minutes from the end, the Upper Austrians doubled their lead following a quick attack. Bastian Szieber deflected a cross-ice pass to make it 2:0 for Sharks Gmunden (55.).

In the end, the team coached by player-coach Kris Reinthaler threw everything at it, pulling goalie Oliver Zirngast, and Bastian Szieber scored into the empty net 35 seconds from time to seal the 3:0 final score (60.). The champions began the new season with a win, while the Kapfenberg side had to accept their second defeat after the 1:2 overtime loss to ATSE Graz.

HDK Maribor vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein forfeited

The ÖEHV Disciplinary Commission has awarded the game between HDK Maribor and Wiener Eislauf-Verein on 04 October 2025 to Wiener Eislauf-Verein by a score of 5:0 and three points, as Maribor fielded the suspended player Nejc Voh without authorisation. An appeal may still be lodged until midnight on Tuesday.

Ö Eishockey Liga - Division West:

HC Kufstein vs. SC Samina Hohenems 2:3 (1:2,1:1,0:0)
Sat., 4 October 2025, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein
HC Kufstein scorers: Stefan Reiter (18:55 min./SH1), Clemens Paulweber (37:17 min./PP1)
SC Hohenems scorers: Eric Ockert (08:24 min.), Niklas Gehringer (14:43 min.), Benjamin Kyllönen (21:13 min.)

EHC Lustenau vs. EHC Kundl 3:1 (1:0,1:0,1:1)
Sat., 4 October 2025, 17:30, Rheinhalle
EHC Lustenau scorers: Adem Kandemir (14:31 min.), Christopher D’Alvise (20:53 min.), Martin Grabher Meier (42:34 min.)
EHC Kundl scorer: Michal Kluka (40:44 min.)

Dornbirner EC Bulldogs vs. WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins
Sun., 5 October 2025, 17:30, Messestadion Dornbirn

Ö Ice Hockey League – Eastern Division:

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. KSV Kängurus 3:0 (1:0,0:0,2:0)
Sat, 4 October 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden
Sharks Gmunden goalscorers:Hubert Berger (03:32/SH1), Bastian Szieber (54:45, 59:25/EN)

HDK Maribor vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein 0:5 (forfeit)
Sat, 4 October 2025, 18:30, Ledna dvorana Maribor

ATSE Grazhave a bye.

Ö Ice Hockey League format 2025/2026

The Ö Ice Hockey League begins the new season with the opening matchday on 4 October 2025. In its fifth year, the format in the two divisions, West with six teams and East with five teams, will undergo a change in Phase 1. In the Eastern Division, the coming season will feature two-and-a-half home-and-away rounds, resulting in 20 games per team. In the Western Division, as in the previous season, two home-and-away rounds will be played, likewise resulting in 20 games per team.

After Phase 1, there will once again be an inter-regional playoff, beginning with the quarter-finals on 07 February 2026. The playoff pick after the regular season will also provide additional excitement in the coming campaign. The highest-placed team in each of the Western and Eastern Divisions may select its quarter-final opponent from the team placed third or fourth in the other division. From the quarter-finals through the semi-finals to the final, the playoff match-ups will be decided in best-of-three series (H/A/H) from the coming season onwards.

Ö Ice Hockey League – entry list 2025/2026

EASTERN DIVISION | 5 teams

ATSE Graz

HDK Maribor

Kapfenberger SV

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden

Wiener Eislauf-Verein

WESTERN DIVISION | 6 teams

Dornbirner Eishockeyclub Bulldogs

EHC Lustenau

EHC Crocodiles Kundl

HC Kufstein

SC Samina Hohenems

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins

All tables, statistics and fixtures for the Ö Eishockey Liga in the Gamecenter

Follow the Ö Eishockey Liga on Instagram and Facebook!