Semi-final spec­tacle: Hohenems and Kapfen­berg draw 4:4 – Kufstein edge Stein­dorf 5:4

As in the previous year, SC Samina Hohenems 1974 and Kapfenberger SV crossed sticks in the Ö Eishockey Liga semi-finals. At that time, the Steinböcke, who had entered the series as favourites after going unbeaten through the regular season and quarter-finals, had to accept a semi-final exit against the Kängurus by an aggregate score of 5:11.

This time, illness struck the Styrians ahead of the first leg. Patrick Huppmann had to take over the player-coach role from Kris Reinthaler, who was absent from the line-up along with several other players. At the start of the game, 15 skaters were available for the Kängurus. The home side were dominant in the opening minutes and immediately created several good chances, partly because Stefan Derler had taken an early penalty for Kapfenberg.

Head coach Bernd Schmidle's team played what was at times effectively a five-on-five power play. The Mürztal side were mainly occupied with defending, while netminder Oliver Zirngast was at the centre of the action. In the second half of the first period, the Kängurus also survived a four-minute penalty kill before creating a number of relieving attacks. After 20 minutes, SC Hohenems led the shots-on-goal count 15:4.

The dominant Vorarlberg side took the lead early in the second period. Pascal Kainz found Julian Grafschafter, who scored 1:0 from the left face-off circle in 22. Kapfenberg quickly had the right response: Thomas Koller deflected an Adrian Stühlinger shot for the 1:1 equaliser in 25.

Just under three minutes later, Johannes Hehle sent Christian Haidinger through, and he rounded KSV netminder Zirngast with a fine deke before lifting the puck into the net for 2:1. Just 32 seconds later, SC Hohenems led 3:1, this time with the roles exactly reversed: Christian Haidinger played the puck from behind the net to Johannes Hehle, who scored from close range.

Kapfenberg regrouped after the double blow and came roaring back into the game. On the power play, Florian Hoppl drove forward forcefully and scored 2:3 with a backhand effort in 38. With 47 seconds remaining in the period, the Kängurus even drew level. Maximilian Ramsbacher beat Hohenems netminder Matthias Fritz.

Both teams went in search of a winner in the final period, with the match now completely open. Both netminders initially shut the door and conceded no further goals. Just under three minutes from the end, Hohenems player Johannes Hehle was sent to the penalty box. The Kängurus sensed their big chance and took it. Lukas Draschkowitz scored Kapfenberg's 4:3 lead from the left while falling in 58.

But Hohenems hit back: with 35 seconds remaining before the final buzzer, Christian Haidinger scored the much-celebrated 4:4 equaliser. That leaves everything to play for in next Saturday's return leg at the Stadthalle Kapfenberg.

Kufstein win playoff spectacle in Steindorf

ESC SoccerZone SteindorfESC SoccerZone Steindorf celebrated a major ice hockey festival at the Ossiacher See Halle on Saturday. To mark its 50th anniversary, the first leg of the Ö Eishockey Liga semi-final against HC Kufstein was the absolute highlight of the __OEHV_NUM_R_A__-year anniversary celebrations.

The Dragons, who had a short bench of 15 skaters and only arrived at Ossiacher See half an hour before warm-up after being delayed in traffic, made a dream start: David Hrazdira received the puck in the offensive zone just behind the blue line, fired and scored 1:0 after just under two minutes.

An intense and attractive game then developed, with both teams looking to attack. Martin Oraže equalised on the power play for 1:1, the defenceman beating Kufstein netminder Thomas Hechenberger with a powerful shot in the eighth minute. The Carinthians pressed on and made it 2:1 in the ninth minute during a delayed penalty. Christof Martinz set up Daniel Gasser perfectly from the right, and he scored from close range.

Both teams continued their strong and entertaining play in the second period. Initially, Steindorf were unable to capitalise on a power play. Kufstein then equalised 2:2 in 26. Philipp Sappl fired a fine wrist shot from the blue line and caught Steindorf netminder Paul Steiner by surprise.

Both teams continued to play offensively and create good chances. However, both netminders repeatedly made fine saves to preserve the draw. The puck did hit the frame of the Steindorf goal at the Ossiacher See Halle, as David Hrazdira curled a power-play shot off the left post.

With 64 seconds remaining in the period, Kristian Kravanja set up Franz Wilfan at the left face-off circle on the power play, and the forward scored to make it 3:2 for Head Coach Robert Moser's team.

As in the first period, the Tyroleans also made the better start to the final period. Following a quick attack down the left, Robert Schopf fired a sharp cross-ice pass to David Hrazdira, who converted into the half-empty net to make it 3:3 in the 42nd minute.

A minute and a half later, Hrazdira initiated an attack, Dominique Saringer was initially denied by goaltender Steiner, before the puck went into the net off Steindorf player Fabian Stichauner's stick to give Kufstein a 4:3 lead. Just twelve seconds later, it was 4:4. Stefan Bacher let fly, netminder Thomas Hechenberger could only make a short save, and Benjamin Petrik scored to make it 4:4 for Steindorf.

The already fast-paced game became even faster and swung from end to end. Markus Pöck and Franz Wilfan were denied by Kufstein netminder Hechenberger with a double chance. The Carinthians then had the opportunity to retake the lead on a 5:3 power play.

With five and a half minutes remaining before the final siren, David Hrazdira scored his third goal to give his side a 5:4 lead. Boldizsar Beres played the puck from the left to the Czech goal-getter, who pushed it into the net from close range. The narrow away win gave Head Coach Ivo Novotny's team a good starting position for the return leg at Eisarena Kufstein in a week's time, but everything remains open.

Play-off format

The semi-finals are also decided over two legs, using the Champions Hockey League (CHL) format. The club that finished higher in the regular season begins away from home. The aggregate score from both matches is used. The team leading on aggregate after the first and second legs advances to the final.

Should the aggregate score be level at the final siren 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. Each first leg ends after 60 minutes either in a draw or with a win in regulation time.

Ö Eishockey Liga play-off semi-final first legs

Semi-final 1:

SC Samina Hohenems 1974 vs. Kapfenberger SV 4:4 (0:0,3:3,1:1)
Sat., 25 February 2023, 17:30, Herrenriedstadion
SC Samina Hohenems 1974 scorers: Julian Grafschafter (21:25), Christian Haidinger (27:02, 59:25), Johannes Hehle (27:34)
Kapfenberger SV scorers: Thomas Koller (24:10), Florian Hoppl (37:26/PP1), Maximilian Ramsbacher (39:13), Lukas Draschkowitz (57:21/PP1)

Semi-final 2:

ESC SoccerZone Steindorf vs. HC Kufstein 4:5 (2:1,1:1,1:3)
Sat., 25 February 2023, 18:00, Ossiacher See Halle
ESC SoccerZone Steindorf scorers: Martin Oraže (07:27/PP1), Daniel Gasser (08:41), Franz Wilfan (38:56/PP1), Benjamin Petrik (43:21,)
HC Kufstein scorers: David Hrazdira (01:53, 41:32, 54:32), Philipp Sappl (25:37), Dominique Saringer (43:09)

Ö Eishockey Liga play-off semi-final second legs

Semi-final 1:

Kapfenberger SV vs. SC Samina Hohenems 1974
Sat., 04 March 2023, 19:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Semi-final 2:

HC Kufstein vs. ESC SoccerZone Steindorf
Sat., 04 March 2023, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein

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