Show­down between WEV and ATSE Graz at Vienna's Heumarkt on Sunday

Tension at its highest: the final vacant play-off place in the Ö Eishockey Liga was still up for grabs in the North-East Group ahead of the final weekend of the regular season.

The UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden hosted ATSE Graz, who were initially battling WEV from afar for the final available play-off place on Saturday. The opening minutes were marked by a cautious feeling-out process, before Sharks Gmunden struck after a fine combination finished by Niklas Schatzl twelve minutes in to make it 1:0.

Graz responded immediately, with Cory Krenz levelling at 1:1 just 49 seconds later. The Upper Austrians did not make things any easier for the Styrians thereafter: Jonas Kail put Gmunden back in front 14 minutes in.

Things got even worse for Graz at the start of the second period: Laurens Ober found himself alone in front of ATSE netminder Florian Zeugswetter and slotted home to make it 3:1 for the Sharks 22 minutes in. Just before the halfway point, the Sharks added another, with Paul Ornetzeder finishing a quick attack to extend the lead to 4:1. With 34 seconds played in the final period, Cory Krenz breathed new hope into ATSE with his second goal, making it 2:4.

But Sharks Gmunden proved to be the stronger side that evening: Jonas Kail made it 5:2 on the power play with his second goal, before Laurens Ober also converted on the power play 54 minutes in to seal a 6:2 victory. Even before the final whistle in Kapfenberg, it was clear that ATSE Graz and WEV would meet in the ultimate showdown at Vienna's Heumarkt on Sunday, directly contesting the final play-off place.

WEV cause sensation against Kapfenberger SV

North-East Group winners Kapfenberger SV, who will face VEU Feldkirch in the Ö Eishockey Liga quarter-finals, were pivotal in the battle from afar between Wiener Eislauf-Verein and ATSE Graz.

Vienna kept the favoured Kangaroos scoreless for a long time at Kapfenberg Stadthalle, before Lukas Draschkowitz broke the deadlock 15 minutes in to make it 1:0 for the home side. The match remained tense, with WEV fighting fiercely for an equaliser.

And it came at the start of the final period: Maciej Postek beat KSV netminder Michael Bischof from close range 42 minutes in. Ten minutes after the equaliser, with Vienna now sensing a major upset, Patrick Böhm scored to make it 2:1.

Buoyed by the lead and backed by the strong goaltending of Mathias Lichtenecker, Vienna pressed on: with his second goal, Maciej Postek sparked WEV celebrations three minutes from time as he made it 3:1. Kapfenberg had suffered their first defeat in their final regular-season match. WEV are now two points ahead of ATSE Graz, who travel to Vienna on Sunday for the battle for the final play-off place.

UHT Dukes Graz win against EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions

In their final home match of the season, UHT Dukes Graz faced the already-confirmed play-off participants EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions and ensured a conciliatory end to the season after an exciting contest.

The visitors from the Murtal took a 2:0 lead after just under ten minutes through goals from Dominik Walchshofer and Michael Grüneis. Clemens Lennkh brought the Graz Dukes back to 1:2 in the first period.

Sascha Sudnikiewicz equalised in the 25 minute before Moritz Stradner scored the 3:2 winner for Graz in the 52 minute of the final period. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions will now face the runners-up in the West group, HC Kufstein, in the play-offs.

Hohenems beat Wattens to finish first in the West group

The final question to be decided in the West group over the weekend was who would advance to the inter-regional Ö Eishockey Liga play-offs as first and second.

In front of Austrian ice hockey legend Greg Holst, who was watching his son Taylor closely, the reigning champions WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins played their final game of the season at the Alpenstadion against SC Samina Hohenems 1974. Valentin Hammerle gave the Penguins a 1:0 lead from close range in the eighth minute. David Slivnik equalised at 1:1 on the power play in the tenth minute. In the 17 minute, Manuel Merk suddenly broke clear and scored 2:1 for the Steinböcke.

The match remained entertaining, with Taylor Holst equalising at 2:2 on the power play after just 36 seconds of the second period. Wattens were back in front after 25 minutes, as Christian Pittl made it 3:2. Marcel Wolf equalised for Head Coach Bernd Schmidle's team in the 33 minute, setting up a thrilling final period.

The visitors' lead came in somewhat curious fashion: while shorthanded, Hohenems suddenly took a 5:3 lead through two short-handed goals by Thomas Auer and Marcel Wolf within 26 seconds. Valentin Hammerle pulled one back for the Penguins in the 45 minute. However, Hohenems wanted to win the West group, and Fabian Mandlburger restored their two-goal lead in the 50 minute.

With three and a half minutes remaining, Manuel Merk scored his second goal to seal the 7:4 final score. SC Hohenems therefore won the West group ahead of HC Kufstein and will face the 1st EHC Althofen from Carinthia in the play-offs.

HC Kufstein celebrate a convincing win over VEU Feldkirch

The atmosphere at Kufstein Ice Arena was already worthy of the play-offs for the final regular-season game of HC Kufstein against VEU Feldkirch. The hosts made a lightning start, with Florian Eder scoring from long range after 37 seconds to give them a 1:0 lead. What followed was a fast-paced, attractive game.

The Dragons responded and, following a Czech combination involving David Hrazdira, Martin Kosnar made it 2:0 in the seventh minute. 50 seconds later, Leevi Ahonen extended the lead to 3:0 for the Festungsstädter. With 23 seconds left in the period, Simon Hammerle reduced the deficit to 1:3 for VEU as a 5:3 power play expired.

In the second period, Maximilian Camondo made it 4:1 for Head Coach Ivo Novotny's team shortly before the midway point. The goal fest continued apace in the final period. One minute after the restart, David Hrazdira made it 5:1 for Kufstein. Benjamin Kyllönen reduced the deficit to 2:5 on the power play for Head Coach Thomas Sticha's team.

A quick double in the 47 and 48 minutes, within 31 seconds, from Maximilian Camondo and Martin Kosnar saw the Dragons pull away to 7:2. Joonatan Kyllönen provided some consolation for the Montfortstädter with the 3:7 on the power play. Just 18 seconds later, Patrick Hager made it 8:3 for Kufstein, before Herbert Steiner completed the scoring at 9:3 on the power play in the 55 minute.

Kufstein had done what they needed to do in their long-distance battle with Hohenems for the group title. However, SC Hohenems' win in Wattens left the Dragons in second place, and they will face EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions in the play-offs.

Southern Group: Steindorf thrash USC Velden

The ESC SoccerZone Steindorf hosted USC Pirates Velden to conclude the preliminary round. Steindorf, who had already secured top spot in the Southern Group before Saturday's game, will face either ATSE Graz or WEV in the playoffs.

In their final home game before the playoffs, Head Coach Robert Moser's team comfortably beat USC Velden 6:0. Julian Maurer opened the scoring at 17. Fabian Stichauner and Benjamin Petrik gave the Southern Group winners a comfortable 3:0 lead by the midway point of the game.

Early in the final period, Julian Maurer converted a penalty to make it 4:0 and effectively seal the result. Ruslan Gelfanov at 50 and Markus Pöck at 52 completed the 6:0 final score. Steindorf will only find out on Sunday whether WEV or ATSE Graz will be their quarter-final playoff opponents.

EC LiWoDruck Spittal edge Eisbären Huben

The EC LiWoDruck Spittal faced UECR Eisbären Huben in their final regular-season game.

The Hornets took an early 1:0 lead in the first period through Joshua Ogertschnig at four minutes. The Eisbären levelled through Raphael Bstieler after almost two minutes of the second period. The East Tyroleans were unable to enjoy the equaliser for long, however, as Daniel Zauchner restored the hosts' lead just under three minutes later. Tim Thaler made it 3:1 for Head Coach Florian Orzetek's players with three minutes remaining in the period.

In the final period, the Eisbären closed the gap to 2:3 through Robert Trojer on the power play. After exactly 50 minutes, they even found the equaliser. Kevin Wieder scored to make it 3:3. Peter Sivec gave Spittal a 4:3 lead on the power play at 54, which also proved to be the final score.

Ö Eishockey Liga playoff quarter-final match-ups

Quarter-final 1:

SC Samina Hohenems 1974 vs. 1. EHC Althofen

Quarter-final 2:

ESC SoccerZone Steindorf vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein/ATSE Graz

Quarter-final 3:

Kapfenberger SV vs. VEU Feldkirch

Quarter-final 4:

HC Kufstein vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions

Matchday, North-East Group

UEHV RAUCH Technology Sharks Gmunden vs. ATSE Graz 6:2 (2:1,2:0,2:1)
Sat, 04 February 2023, 18:15, Eishalle Gmunden
Sharks Gmunden scorers: Niklas Schatzl (11:08), Jonas Kail (13:12, 46:06/PP1), Laurens Ober (21:44, 53:09/PP1), Paul Ornetzeder (29:46)
ATSE Graz scorers: Cory Krenz (11:57, 40:34)

Kapfenberger SV vs. Wiener Eislauf-Verein 1:3 (1:0,0:0,0:3)
Sat, 04 February 2023, 19:00, Stadthalle Kapfenberg
Kapfenberger SV scorer: Lukas Draschkowitz (14:39)
Wiener Eislauf-Verein scorers: Maciej Postek (41:39, 56:57), Patrick Böhm (51:30)

UHT Dukes Graz vs. EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions 3:2 (1:2,1:0,1:0)
Sat, 04 February 2023, 19:15, Merkur Eisstadion, Hall B
UHT Dukes Graz scorers: Clemens Lennkh (13:22), Sascha Sudnikiewicz (24:22), Moritz Stradner (51:03)
EV Zeltweg Murtal Lions scorers: Dominik Walchshofer (01:02), Michael Grüneis (09:45)

Wiener Eislauf-Verein vs. ATSE Graz
Sun, 05 February 2023, 15:00, Wiener Heumarkt

Matchday, West Group

HC Kufstein vs. VEU Feldkirch 9:3 (3:1,1:0,5:2)
Sat., 04 February 2023, 17:30, Eisarena Kufstein
HC Kufstein scorers: Florian Eder (00:37), Martin Kosnar (06:02, 47:29), Leevi Ahonen (06:52), Maximilian Camondo (29:22, 46:58), David Hrazdira (41:01), Patrick Hager (50:29), Herbert Steiner (54:07/PP1)
VEU Feldkirch scorers: Simon Hämmerle (19:37), Benjamin Kyllönen (43:11/PP1), Joonatan Kyllönen (50:11/PP1)

WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins vs. SC Samina Hohenems 1974 4:7 (1:2,2:1,1:4)
Sat., 04 February 2023, 19:00, Alpenstadion Wattens
WSG Swarovski Wattens Penguins scorers: Valentin Hammerle (07:55, 44:37), Taylor Holst (20:36/PP1), Christian Pittl (25:06)
SC Samina Hohenems 1974 scorers: David Slivnik (09:39/PP1), Manuel Merk (16:08, 57:36), Marcel Wolf (32:13, 43:08/SH1), Thomas Auer (42:42/SH1), Fabian Mandlburger (49:20)

South Group matchday

EC LiWoDruck Spittal vs. UECR Eisbären Huben 4:3 (1:0,2:1,1:2)
Sat., 04 February 2023, 18:15, Eis-Sport-Arena Spittal
EC LiWoDruck Spittal scorers: Joshua Ogertschnig (03:15), Daniel Zauchner (25:30), Tim Thaler (36:52), Peter Sivec (53:20/PP1)
UECR Eisbären Huben scorers: Raphael Bstieler (22:08), Robert Trojer (46:25/PP1), Kevin Veider (50:00)

ESC SoccerZone Steindorf vs. USC Pirates Velden 6:0 (1:0,2:0,3:0)
Sat., 04 February 2023, 19:00, Steindorf Ossiacher See Halle
ESC SoccerZone Steindorf scorers: Julian Maurer (16:55, 41:07/PS), Fabian Stichauner (26:14), Benjamin Petrik (30:25), Ruslan Gelfanov (49:04), Markus Pöck (51:11)

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