SC Hohenems strike first against Croc­o­diles Kundl – Kapfen­berger SV claim clear win at ATSE Graz

Semi-final 1 – first leg: Kapfenberger SV close in on final after clear win at ATSE Graz

The ATSE Graz hosted Kapfenberger SV in the Styrian derby in the Merkur Eisstadion in front of more than 700 fans in the first semi-final.

ATSE Graz had been the only team to take a point off the Mürz Valley side's offensive firepower in the Division East regular season, drawing 3:4 after overtime in mid-January. The match began at a brisk pace, with Graz not holding back and going toe-to-toe with the Kangaroos.

After a good chance for ATSE, who had the lead on their stick on the power play, Kapfenberg launched a quick counter-attack. Max Wimmer converted a cross-ice pass from Iacopo Granza shorthanded to score from the slot for 1:0 (8nd minute).

Kapfenberg lived up to their favourites’ tag early on when the puck came to Manuel Trost in the offensive zone: the Kapfenberg forward gave ATSE netminder Florian Zeugswetter no chance from the slot to make it 2:0 (12nd minute). Head Coach Markus Losch’s team tried to get a grip on the game, but the visitors from the Mürztal defended with composure and, together with goaltender Oliver Zirngast, gave up very little.

With a blistering start to the second period, the team led by player-coach Kris Reinthaler set course for an away win: Lukas Draschkowitz deflected a shot from Patrick Huppmann to make it 3:0 on the power play (21 minutes). The Upper Styrians struck again just under three minutes later: following an excursion by goaltender Florian Zeugswetter, Pierre Graf scored into the empty net for 4:0 (24 minutes).

ATSE Graz then had the chance to finally get on the board in the semi-final with two power plays. Kapfenberg had the best opportunity during this spell, with Florian Hoppl firing the puck off the post while shorthanded. The Kangaroos continued to dominate and at times pinned Graz back in their defensive zone. The logical outcome was 5:0, as Christoph Draschkowitz converted a sharp cross-ice pass from Pierre Graf (35).

In the final period, Kapfenberg initially had the sixth goal on their stick, but overdid the passing play. At the other end, ATSE Graz finally got on the scoreboard in the semi-final: Bernhard Strohmeier sent the puck, which had rebounded off the boards, into the net for 1:5 (42.). Immediately afterwards, the provincial capital side had the second goal on their stick.

Kapfenberg were more ruthless at the other end when it came to taking their chances: Pierre Graf finished off an attack with a well-placed wrist shot to make it 6:1 (44 min.), his second goal of the evening. Kapfenberg were very solid defensively and continued to show their familiar attacking power up front: Christoph Draschkowitz made it 7:1 with a fine shot just under five minutes from the end (55 min.).

ATSE showed character, refused to give up and scored their second goal: Luca Rodiga beat KSV netminder Oliver Zirngast to make it 2:7 (57th minute). However, the visitors were not finished for the evening: following a fine attack, Daniel Oberkofler made it 8:2 with 59 minutes played. With a six-goal lead, the return leg is now little more than a formality for the title favourites on their way to the final.

Semi-final 2 – first leg: SC Samina Hohenems strike first against EHC Crocodiles Kundl

The EHC Crocodiles Kundl met in the first leg of the semi-finals in the western clash in front of over 600 fans at Eisarena KundlSC Samina Hohenems in the western showdown in front of more than __OEHV_NUM_T_A__ fans at the Eisarena Kundl in the first leg of the semi-final.

Both teams engaged in an intense play-off battle from the outset. The hosts were brimming with confidence after seven successive wins. Hohenems also went into the first of two clashes for a place in the final full of confidence and initially created the better chances, but Crocodiles netminder Kyle Plantz was as strong as he had been in the quarter-final against Zeltweg.

As the first period progressed, the Tyroleans also became increasingly effective offensively and created scoring chances. Like his opposite number, HSC goaltender Matthias Fritz exuded calmness and composure. 42 seconds before the end of the period, Hohenems player Thomas Auer received a five-minute major plus game misconduct penalty for clipping.

Initially, play continued four-on-four after Kundl's Jakob Wetzelsberger was also sent to the penalty box for two minutes for cross-checking. The Crocodiles were then unable to make use of a three-minute power play at the start of the second period to take the lead. Little changed in the nature of the game, with neither team giving the other any space or time.

With every passing minute, the play-off atmosphere in the Eisarena Kundl became more palpable. After successfully killing off a penalty, the visitors from Vorarlberg took the lead: Marcel Wolf poked the puck over the line for 1:0 for SC Hohenems at 36. Head coach Thomas Sticha's team then pressed for more, but Kyle Plantz prevented any further goals.

Kundl also created dangerous opportunities in front of the opposition goal on several occasions, but Matthias Fritz continued to keep a clean sheet for Hohenems. The game became more frantic and emotional, while remaining full of tension.

At the start of the final period, the Steinböcke initially pressed for 2:0 on the power play. The goal came shortly after the penalty had expired: Julian Grafschafter scored from the slot following a fine move to give his side a two-goal lead at 42. The Vorarlberg side struck again to extend their lead, with Martin Grabher Meier scoring 3:0 from close range with a backhand at 46.

The Crocodiles quickly worked their way back into the game. Adrian Schuster fired from the left face-off circle to reduce the deficit to 1:3 at 47. Kundl then enjoyed their best spell, repeatedly pinning their opponents in and creating good chances to pull another goal back.

Four minutes from the end, the Crocodiles' attacking efforts were halted when head coach Jaroslav Betka's team had to kill off a penalty. Hohenems then saw out the game, winning 3:1 and taking a two-goal advantage into next Saturday's second leg.

Play-off semi-final first legs:

Semi-final 1 – first leg:

ATSE Graz vs. Kapfenberger SV 2:8 (0:2,0:3,2:3)
Saturday, 24 February 2024, 19:15, Merkur Eisstadion – Hall A
ATSE Graz goalscorers:Bernhard Strohmeier (41:19), Luca Rodiga (56:37)
Kapfenberger SV goalscorers:Max Wimmer (07:10/SH1), Manuel Trost (11:21), Lukas Draschkowitz (20:46/PP1), Pierre Graf (23:35, 43:57), Christoph Draschkowitz (34:26, 54:52), Daniel Oberkofler (58:42)

Semi-final 2 – first leg:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems 1:3 (0:0,0:1,1:2)
Saturday, 24 February 2024, 17:30, Eisarena Kundl
EHC Crocodiles Kundl goalscorer:Adrian Schuster (46:43)
SC Samina Hohenems goalscorers:Marcel Wolf (35:32), Julian Grafschafter (41:48), Martin Grabher Meier (45:09)

Play-off semi-final second legs:

Semi-final 1 – second leg:

Kapfenberger SV vs. ATSE Graz
Sat., 02 March 2024, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Semi-final 2 – second leg:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Sat., 02 March 2024, 17:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

Play-off format:

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

If the aggregate score is level at the final buzzer after 120 minutes, the decision will be made in a ten-minute three-on-three overtime period and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out with five shooters per team. This means there is no overtime in the first leg. The respective first leg ends after 60 minutes either level or with a win in regulation time.

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