Stein­dorf defeat Eisbären Huben

Photo caption: Face-off in Steindorf vs. Huben - Photo: UECR Huben

The Ö Eishockey Liga action is coming thick and fast. In the South Group, the local Eisbären faced ESC SoccerZone Steindorf at Huben's open-air arena. The East Tyroleans had a score to settle with coach Mike Mayer's team. Their first meeting on St Stephen's Day at Lake Ossiach had ended in a 13:3 victory for Steindorf. This time, the home side coached by Peter Mösenlechner started the match with greater focus and took the lead through Alexander Riepler for 1:0 (13.). Just under two minutes later, Markus Pöck equalised (15.). After that, both goaltenders – Thomas Warscher for Huben and Anja Adamitsch for Steindorf – kept their nets clean.

The opening phase of the final period had it all: first, Martin Pewal put Eisbären back in front for 2:1 (41.). The cheers of the 223 fans from the Isel Valley had not yet died down when Kristian Kravanja equalised for Steindorf (42.). Shortly afterwards, the left winger struck again to fire the visitors into a 3:2 lead (44.). That gave Steindorf, who had travelled with just eleven skaters, one final burst of energy. And once again it was Kristian Kravanja who completed a perfect hat-trick to make it 4:2 (54.). Steindorf thereby overtook Spittal's Hornets in the table. Eisbären remain bottom of the table.

West Group: EHC Crocodiles Kundl defeat HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II

At the Eisarena Kundl, the Crocodiles were superior from the outset against HC Innsbruck's Junghaie. It took a relatively long time before Adrian Schuster put the home side ahead for 1:0 (12.). The young players from the Tyrolean capital are known for giving their all against every opponent. Jakob Wetzelsberger equalised in the first period (16.). Just 59 seconds later, Fabio Schramm made it 2:1 for the hosts (17.).

52 seconds into the second period, Christoph Echtler extended the lead to 3:1 for Kundl's Crocodiles, coached by Finn Mika Pertillä (21.). Less than a minute later, Julian Jagersbacher effectively sealed the win (22.). Sebastian Schild added to make it 5:1 (27.). However, the team led by new head coach Mario Bellina refused to give in and pulled back to 2:5 through Nicholas Schintler (34.). Shortly before the end of the period, Innsbruck were back in the game: Fabio Müller found the net for 3:5 from the Haie perspective (40.).

The Crocodiles then stepped it up in the final period, scoring four times to secure what was ultimately a clear home victory. Fabio Schramm first made it 6:3 with his second goal (44.), before Maximilian Agerer added the 7:3 for Kundl (50.). Vladimir Dolnik scored to make it 8:3 (52.). Adrian Schuster, who had already scored the opener for the home side, made it 9:3 19 seconds from time (60.). The Crocodiles thereby drew level with Kufstein in the table, while Innsbruck remain bottom.

UECR Eisbären Huben vs. ESC SoccerZone Steindorf 2:4 (1:1,0:0,1:3)
Tue, 11 January 2022, 19:00
UECR Eisbären Huben scorers: Alexander Riepler (12:31 min), Martin Pewal (40:53 min)
ESC SoccerZone Steindorf scorers: Markus Pöck (14:22 min), Kristian Kravanja (41:56 min), Kristian Kravanja (43:28 min), Kristian Kravanja (53:17 min)

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II 9:3 (2:1,3:2,4:0)
Tue, 11 January 2022, 19:30
EHC Crocodiles Kundl scorers: Adrian Schuster (11:56 min), , Fabio Schramm (16:29 min), Christoph Echtler (20:52 min), Julian Jagersbacher (21:49 min), Sebastian Schild (26:55 min), Fabio Schramm (43:14 min), Maximilian Agerer (49:05 min), Vladimir Dolnik (51:08 min), Adrian Schuster (59:41 min)
HC TIWAG Innsbruck - Die Haie II scorers: Jakob Wetzelsberger (15:30 min), Nicholas Schintler (33:57 min), Fabio Müller (39:15 min)