Sharks Gmunden take a 5:0 lead in the final against SC Hohenems!

The UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden hosted SC Samina Hohenems in the first leg of the final for the Austrian Ö Eishockey Liga championship at the Muki Eisarena Gmunden on Saturday, in front of almost 900 fans. Following a stirring rendition of the Austrian national anthem, both teams began the first of two acts in the battle for the title, initially intent on avoiding any major defensive errors. 

The two goaltenders who have performed very strongly in the play-offs so far – Luka Gračnar for the Sharks and Karlo Škec for the Steinböcke – exuded calm and confidence when facing shots in the opening minutes. The tension among the players was palpable, with minor skirmishes already breaking out in the first period as emotions ran high early in the game. Following a double strike within 66 seconds, the Upper Austrians suddenly held a two-goal lead. 

First, Alwin Schuster swept the puck over the line from close range to make it 1:0 (16.). Following another attack, Elias Koller got the puck to Mathias Haiböck, who fired from the slot and found the far corner to make it 2:0 (17.).

With the lead behind them, the home side continued to play with pressure in the opening stages of the second period. Hohenems were increasingly occupied with defensive work and were only able to mount occasional counter-attacks. Following a swift move down the right wing, the Sharks from Traunsee struck again: Goaltender Škec was still able to save Nicolai Obojes' shot from the left face-off circle, but Markus Krotsch converted the rebound from close range to make it 3:0 (27.). 

The Gmunden side, once again optimally prepared by head coach Gregor Baumgartner, added another: Mario Pichler fired home from the slot to make it 4:0 (32.). Soon afterwards, Hohenems had their first power play, but were unable to make use of their numerical advantage to finally get on the scoreboard in the final. Towards the end of the second period, the Vorarlberg side had another power-play opportunity, carrying most of it over into the final period, but again failing to score. 

In the opening minutes of the final period, the team coached by Thomas Sticha took command and applied more pressure. The home side, together with goaltender Gračnar, sought to keep the match under control. The Sharks then had their first power play and struck ruthlessly: Marc-André Dorion fired home to make it 5:0 (52.). Three minutes from time, the Schlittschuhclub had their third power play, but Luka Gračnar could not be beaten that evening.

The second leg of the final will take place on Saturday, 15 March 2025 at 18:30 at the Eisstadion Hohenems. Sharks Gmunden take a 5:0 aggregate lead into the decisive match for the title.

Ö Eishockey Liga – Play-offs – Final

First leg of the final:

UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden vs. SC Samina Hohenems 5:0 (2:0,2:0,1:0)
Sat., 08 March 2025, 18:30, Muki Eisarena Gmunden
Sharks Gmunden scorers: Alwin Schuster (15:39 min.), Mathias Haiböck (16:45 min.), Markus Krotsch (26:19 min.), Mario Pichler (31:31 min.), Marc-André Dorion (51:50 min./PP1)

Second leg of the final:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden 

Sat., 15 March 2025, 18:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

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