Sharks Gmunden win block­buster against Maribor – HC Kufstein over­come SC Hohenems

The major blockbuster in the Eastern Division took place at Ledena dvorana Maribor on Saturday: the current second-placed side HDK Maribor had invited league leaders UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden to a heated battle for top spot. After just a few seconds, the Upper Austrians had their first power play, which Alwin Schuster converted from close range to make it 1:0 after exactly 65 seconds (2nd minute).

That put an end to any feeling-out process, as an intense contest developed. The Sharks had the edge in terms of possession, while the Foxes repeatedly threatened Domenic Burghard’s goal on the counter-attack. Following another attack, Gal Petek took a pass first time and scored from the left face-off circle to equalise at 1:1 (14th minute). The league leaders from Traunsee had the right response: Niklas Mayrhauser made it 2:1 with a shot from the blue line that caught Maribor goaltender Lazar Ilić by surprise (17th minute).

In the second period, the hosts pressed for an equaliser. However, goaltender Domenic Burghard preserved the narrow one-goal lead with several good saves. Head Coach Gregor Baumgartner’s team relied primarily on counter-attacks to relieve the pressure during this phase. Shortly before the halfway point of the game, the Sharks extended their lead to 3:1, with Elias Koller turning the puck over the line from close range on the power play (30th minute). The league leaders took a two-goal advantage into the final period.

There, the Slovenians made the better start: the Foxes intercepted a breakout pass by Gmunden in their defensive zone and Aljaž Ogrizek pulled one back from close range to make it 2:3 after exactly 30 seconds (41st minute). The top match became highly exciting, with both teams growing more nervous by the minute. The visitors failed to convert a power play, before Head Coach Jure Verlič’s team was unable to get the puck into the opposition net during two power plays.

In the end, Maribor attempted to force an equaliser with six skaters. Sharks Gmunden saw out their narrow 3:2 lead and now sit six points clear at the top of the table.

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. KSV Kängurus cancelled – new date

The long-awaited home debut of Wiener Eislauf-Verein against Kapfenberger SV had to be cancelled due to a technical issue, according to WEV. A new date will be announced.

ATSE Graz had a bye – the Styrians return to action against Wiener Eislauf-Verein on 23 November.

Western Division: HC Kufstein overcome SC Samina Hohenems

On Saturday, HC Kufstein hosted the Western Division blockbuster against SC Samina Hohenems. For the Dragons, the direct clash with the Steinböcke was about not losing touch with the top three of Lustenau, Kundl and Hohenems themselves. The first meeting at the start of the season in mid-October had seen the Dragons lose 2:6 at home. 

Both teams initially played cautiously in the opening period: “Don’t make any mistakes in defence” was the motto. The visitors from Vorarlberg were unable to capitalise on their first power play. As the period progressed, there were good chances at both ends. However, either the two goalies – Patrick Fuchs for Kufstein and Karlo Škec for Hohenems – stood firm, or the forwards had their sights set poorly. The best chance fell to Clemens Paulweber, whose breakaway was stopped by Škec.

Hohenems took a power play into the second period but remained without a goal. Then Head Coach Thomas Sticha’s team had an opportunity from a penalty shot, but Kufstein netminder Patrick Fuchs saved Niklas Gehringer’s attempt. 

Little changed in terms of the character of the game, with both teams relying on a mixture of controlled defending and quick counter-attacks, creating very good opportunities at both ends. Both goalies were repeatedly in the spotlight and conceded no goals. 

At the end of the second period, the Kufstein side were unable to use a numerical advantage to take the lead. The game of patience continued in the third period, with Kufstein on top and repeatedly pinning the Steinböcke in their defensive zone. During this phase, Clemens Paulweber made it 1:0, lifting the puck into the Hohenems net (at 46. ). 

The visitors pressed for an equaliser but could find no way past the Dragons defence and goalie Fuchs. Andreas Luchner’s team then had to come through a tricky spell shorthanded. In the final minutes, the Vorarlberg side pulled goalie Škec, and Markus Prock made it 2:0 with a technical empty-net goal after being fouled while shooting, 24 seconds before the end (at 60. ). HC Kufstein had therefore successfully avenged their opening home defeat.

Wattens Penguins win home opener comfortably against Dornbirn

The WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins celebrated their eagerly anticipated home return in the Ö Eishockey Liga against Dornbirner EC on Saturday. With several adaptations and new additions, the Alpenstadion was ready for the Penguins’ season opener in their familiar ice surroundings against the Bulldogs. Both teams engaged in an intense, physical battle from the outset. 

The Vorarlberg side made the better start and led 1:0 after a fine combination, with Theo Riedler converting a rebound (at 7. ). The Penguins responded quickly: Ricards Purins scored the 1:1 equaliser with a placed shot following a breakaway (at 10. ). Just 31 seconds later, Dornbirn were back in front, with Theo Riedler again sending a rebound from goalie Wotan Knecht into the net from close range in mid-air (at 10. ). 

Following an issue with the ice, the final almost three minutes of the first period were played before the start of the second. Wattens began the middle period well: Marcus Massimo collected the puck in the offensive zone and fired from the slot to make it 2:2 (at 23. ). The Tyroleans kept up the pressure, with Moritz Geisler scoring on the backhand after a rebound to make it 3:2 and give them the lead for the first time (at 25. ). 

A quick double put the hosts on course for victory: Pavel Soukharev placed an unmarked shot from the slot to make it 4:2 (at 30. ). Following a swift attack down the left, Julian Jagersbacher hammered the puck into the net to make it 5:2, just 13 seconds later and exactly halfway through the game (at 31. ). 

The home side left nothing to chance in the final period: Pavel Soukharev sent Ricards Purins clear, and the Latvian scored his second goal to make it 6:2 (at 45. ). The Penguins had not yet satisfied their appetite for goals: Simon Gratzer broke clear of the Bulldogs defence and finished on the backhand to make it 7:2 (at 48. ). Shortly afterwards, Nico Burkhart unleashed a blueliner to score 8:2 for the Wattens Penguins (at 53. ). 

Five minutes before the end, Ricards Purins capped his performance after coming out of the penalty box, turning the puck over the line following a fine pass to seal the 9:2 final score (at 56. ). After two defeats, the Tyroleans celebrated an impressive home victory at the Alpenstadion. 

Crocodiles Kundl unable to stop league leaders Lustenau

The top match in the Division West between chasing side EHC Crocodiles Kundl and league leaders EHC Lustenau opened the next round of the Ö Eishockey Liga on Friday. Following their first meeting in mid-October, the Crocodiles still had a score to settle: Kundl’s 4:6 at the time was their only defeat prior to Friday’s clash. 

The leaders from the Ländle showed no mercy in the opening period at the Eisarena am Inn, taking a 1:0 lead through Philipp Koczera after exactly one minute. The Lions played with great confidence and added another: Jonas Kutzer made it 2:0 early on (9th).

The Crocodiles made the better start to the second period and struck for the first time with a goal to pull one back: Josef Flick made it 1:2 for the Tyroleans, making the game exciting (24th). Head coach Daniel Fekete's team responded quickly, with Mattias Adam restoring the two-goal lead exactly a minute and a half later (26th). 

This game of cat and mouse was repeated towards the end of the period: Felix Koschek's second goal to pull one back, making it 2:3, gave the Kundl fans renewed hope (37th). But just 43 seconds later, Thomas Auer made it 4:2 for Lustenau (38th).

As in the second period, the hosts also made the better start to the final period: Daniel Frischmann reduced the deficit to 3:4 after just 35 seconds, as Kundl pulled one back for the third time (41th). 

The marquee game remained exciting, but head coach Jaro Betka's team were unable to find an equaliser on home ice. On the contrary: Adem Kandemir made it 5:3 for the league leaders (50th). A few minutes later, emotions boiled over. The Crocodiles were unable to respond, not least because they were shorthanded at the end. Lustenau won 5:3 to celebrate their seventh victory in seven games.

Ö Eishockey Liga - East Division:

HDK Maribor vs. UEHV CAM4DENT Sharks Gmunden 2:3 (1:2,0:1,1:0)
Sat., 16 November 2024, 18:30, Ledena dvorana Maribor
HDK Maribor scorers: Gal Petek (at 13:52), Aljaž Ogrizek (at 40:30)
Sharks Gmunden scorers: Alwin Schuster (at 01:05/PP1), Niklas Mayrhauser (at 16:05), Elias Koller (at 29:12/PP1)

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. KSV Kängurus cancelled - new date to follow

ATSE Graz had a bye

Ö Eishockey Liga - West Division:

HC Kufstein vs. SC Samina Hohenems 2:0 (0:0,0:0,2:0)

Sat., 16 November 2024, 17:35, Eisarena Kufstein

HC Kufstein scorers: Clemens Paulweber (at 45:41), Markus Prock (at 59:36/EN)

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. Dornbirner EC 9:2 (1:2,4:0,4:0)

Sat., 16 November 2024, 19:30, Alpenstadion Wattens

Wattens Penguins scorers: Ricards Purins (09:14, 44:34, 55:03), Marcus Massimo (22:18), Moritz Geisler (24:45), Pavel Soukharev (29:47), Julian Jagersbacher (30:00), Simon Gratzer (47:09), Nico Burkhart (52:11)

Dornbirner EC scorers: Theo Riedler (06:58, 09:45)

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. EHC Lustenau 3:5 (0:2,2:2,1:1)
Fri, 15 November 2024, 19:30, Eisarena Kundl
EHC Crocodiles Kundl scorers: Josef Flick (23:06), Felix Koschek (36:49), Daniel Frischmann (40:35)
EHC Lustenau scorers: Philipp Koczera (01:00), Jonas Kutzer (08:50), Mattias Adam (25:36), Thomas Auer (37:32), Adem Kandemir (49:47)

All standings, statistics and fixtures for the Ö Eishockey Liga in the Gamecenter

Follow the Ö Eishockey Liga on Instagram and Facebook!