Sensa­tion: VEU Feld­kirch win derby against Hohenems – Wattens edge HC Inns­bruck II

The first Vorarlberg derby in the Ö Eishockey Liga at the Vorarlberghalle, in front of 600 fans, was charged with excitement from the outset.

SC SAMINA Hohenems initially failed to capitalise on an early power play, but soon took command and were the dominant side in the opening minutes. The Steinböcke converted that superiority and took a 1:0 lead through Johannes Hehl in the eighth minute.

VEU Feldkirch were not unsettled by conceding and responded – loudly backed by their fans. The derby against title contenders Hohenems unleashed additional energy in the young players. Leon Schmeiser scored the celebrated 1:1 equaliser just under three minutes before the end of the period.

VEU Feldkirch take the lead in the second period

Buoyed by the equaliser, the hosts began the middle period with confidence and ambition. The match was now wide open, swinging from end to end. The Montfort players grew in belief with every passing minute. In the 28th minute, the moment arrived: VEU took a 2:1 lead through Simon Gratzer. They added another in the 35th minute: Leon Schmeiser was suddenly free on the power play and picked out the far corner to make it 3:1.

It was not until a 5:3 power play shortly before the end of the period that Hohenems got back into the game. Defenceman David Slivnik fired the puck into the net in the 39th minute to pull one back at 2:3, guaranteeing a gripping final period.

SC Hohenems pushed the pace and pressed for an equaliser, while Feldkirch battled doggedly. Their defence, together with goaltender Thomas Schubert, protected the narrow lead. Head coach Bernd Schmidle's side then failed to convert a power play into an equaliser.

VEU, by contrast, were clinical. Following a counter-attack, Lenz Moosbrugger converted for the hosts in the 51st minute to make it 4:2. Another power play brought the favourites back into the game, and Thomas Auer gave HSC fresh hope with the 3:4 in the 58th minute. Schmidle then pulled goaltender Matthias Fritz, but VEU saw out their narrow advantage and celebrated a sensational first win in the Ö Eishockey Liga.

Narrow win for champions Wattens

The clash between defending champions WSG Swarovski Wattens - Penguins and HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II at Innsbruck's TIWAG Arena was also thrilling and evenly balanced.

The visitors took a 1:0 lead through Julian Jagersbacher in the tenth minute. Felix Platzer scored the 1:1 equaliser for the Junghaie exactly four seconds before the end of the first period.

The second period was also a tight affair, with the 2:1 not coming until the 34th minute. Mathias Kastner put the reigning champions ahead for the first time. Head coach Werner Strele's young players again produced a good performance; this time, Innsbruck remained focused and kept the match open.

The final period began at lightning speed: Matko Pavetic found the net after just five seconds to level the score at 2:2 for the hosts. An open exchange then developed, with chances at both ends, while the two goaltenders – Markus Gratzer for Innsbruck and Marco Simair for the Penguins – increasingly took centre stage.

In the 53rd minute, Sebastian Weidacher sent the fans into raptures as the provincial capital side took the lead for the first time that evening at 3:2. Just 32 seconds later, Wattens had equalised. Daniel Frischmann made it 3:3 for the Penguins.

Just under three minutes from time, defenceman Taylor Holst let fly and scored the winning goal at 4:3 for head coach Jarolav Betka's side. The narrow victory came as a relief to the ÖEL champions: after two defeats, Wattens had their first three points on the board.

Matchday – West Group

VEU Feldkirch vs. SC SAMINA Hohenems 4:3 (1:1,2:1,1:1)
Wed, 26 October 2022, 19:30, Vorarlberghalle
VEU Feldkirch scorers: Leon Schmeiser (16:58 min, 34:38 min/PP1), Simon Gratzer (27:27 min), Lenz Moosbrugger (50:37 min)
SC Hohenems scorers: Johannes Hehle (08:04 min), David Slivnik (38:57 min/PP2), Thomas Auer (57:15 min/PP1)

HC TIWAG Innsbruck II vs. WSG Wattens - Penguins 3:4 (1:1,0:1,2:2)
Wed, 26 October 2022, 18:00, TIWAG Arena
HC Innsbruck II scorers: Felix Platzer (19:56), Matko Pavetic (40:05), Sebastian Weidacher (52:02)
WSG Wattens - Penguins scorers: Julian Jagersbacher (09:48), Mathias Kastner (33:10), Daniel Frischmann (52:34), Taylor Holst (56:47)

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Further article on the Ö Eishockey Liga:

ÖEL: EHC Crocodiles Kundl win spectacular district derby against HC Kufstein