SC Hohenems face Croc­o­diles Kundl – leaders Kufstein visit HC Inns­bruck II

Title contenders SC SAMINA Hohenems host EHC Crocodiles Kundl at Herrenried Stadion on All Saints' Day.

The team led by Head Coach Bernd Schmidle had a completely new experience in the Ö Eishockey Liga last week: the 3:4 defeat in the derby against VEU Feldkirch was their first loss in an ÖEL regular-season game, across seasons. On Saturday, the Steinböcke also had to make the trip home to the Ländle without any points after their game against HC Kufstein.

Following two consecutive defeats, Coach Schmidle has been self-critical and expects a response from his team in the big game against the Crocodiles from Kundl.

EHC Crocodiles Kundl have recently experienced a rollercoaster of ice hockey emotions. After a thrilling 5:4 penalty shoot-out win in the district derby against HC Kufstein on Tuesday, the Crocodiles lost 2:5 to reigning champions Wattens Penguins, who have regained their strength after two opening defeats.

Against Wattens, Kundl struggled with a lack of ruthlessness in front of the opposition net and inefficiency on the power play. The injury bug has also struck Head Coach Mika Perttilä's team, with a quarter of the players ruled out for the away game in Hohenems. For this reason, the Crocodiles travel to Vorarlberg with few expectations.

Bernd Schmidle, Head Coach of SC SAMINA Hohenems: "We played well against Feldkirch, but we did too little for the game and were arrogant at times. Kufstein ruthlessly capitalised on our mistakes and ultimately won. I now expect a clear statement from the team against Kundl. We will make some changes, and two injured players should also return."

Gerhard Maier, Chairman of EHC Crocodiles Kundl: "We lost the last game 2:5, and unfortunately a quarter of our players are now out through injury. That is why our expectations for Tuesday's game in Hohenems are very low. Our chance is that we will not really have one there."

Leaders Kufstein visit HC Innsbruck II

The HC Kufstein Dragons are sitting top of the Western Group of the Ö Eishockey Liga after four games and are igniting a genuine ice hockey fire in the fortress town. Most recently, 830 fans at Eisarena Kufstein celebrated the 4:2 win in the blockbuster clash against SC Hohenems.

The two Czech newcomers, Martin Kosnar and David Hrazdira, in particular have played freely in the opening rounds. Kosnar has nine points (6 goals/3 assists), while the lively driving force Hrazdira has eight points (2 goals/6 assists).

In addition, the two goalies Thomas Hechenberger (93.6% save percentage) and Patrick Fuchs (92.6%) provide the necessary support. Despite leading the table, Head Coach Ivo Novotny is trying to keep his team grounded and to take the game against HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II seriously.

The Young Sharks are still without a point, but have already shown their skating and playing ability in phases. In the home game against champions Wattens, Head Coach Werner Strele's team were on course for victory after taking a 3:2 lead in the 53rd minute, but the Penguins immediately equalised before Taylor Holst even scored the winner.

Coach Strele knows that, above all, a good start and a consistently strong performance over the full 60 minutes will be needed against league leaders Kufstein to pick up the first points of the new season.

Werner Strele, Head Coach HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II: "A good start to Tuesday's game against league leaders Kufstein is important. We have to try to deliver our performance consistently over 60 minutes; then we are sure to have a close and exciting game ahead of us, and we can pick up points against Kufstein too."

Ivo Novotny, Head Coach HC Kufstein Dragons: "Under no circumstances must we make the mistake of underestimating the Haie just because they are still without a point so far. We found it very difficult against this young team last season. In the end, that cost us a play-off place. I expect 100% concentration from my team from the very first minute. Then a win should be within the realms of possibility."

Matchday, West Group

SC Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Tue, 01 November 2022, 19:00, Herrenried Stadion, Hohenems

HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II vs. HC Kufstein
Tue, 01 November 2022, 19:30, TIWAG Arena

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