Steelers under­line favourites’ status

Carinthian Steelers Klagenfurt from Carinthia, HV Warriors from Lower Austria and Steirische Panther Graz from Styria are the three teams taking part in the inaugural Austrian Para Ice Hockey Championship. The championship title will be awarded after a total of four tournaments, with each club hosting at least once.

The opening tournament featured three games in Klagenfurt on Sunday, with hosts Carinthian Steelers underlining their status as favourites for the season with two victories. The clash between HV Warriors and Steirische Panther Graz went narrowly in favour of the Lower Austrians. The next championship games will take place in Graz on 7 March.

Stefan Eberdorfer, chairman of Carinthian Steelers and tournament organiser: “We see it as very positive that we are allowed to train and play in times like these. Since December, we have already held 20 training sessions – partly together with Graz – and they were very important for us. Each team has now played two games, the tournament went well and, by and large, everything worked well.”

ÖEHV Vice-President Mag. Yasmin Stepina views the development of Para ice hockey positively: “Last year, we held an initial championship in tournament format with three teams. This system has proved successful. In 2021, we can stage the first Austrian Championship in a similar format. The aim is to provide the existing teams with the basis to crown a national champion after four tournaments.”