Tension ahead of SC Hohenems versus Kundl – a mere formality for Kapfen­berger SV against ATSE Graz

Semi-final 1 – return leg: Kapfenberger SV vs. ATSE Graz
Sat., 02 March 2024, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Kapfenberger SVKapfenberger SV take a six-goal lead into the return leg at the Stadthalle Kapfenberg after their 8:2 win over ATSE Graz in the away match in Graz.

In the first leg, the Mürztal side once again put on an offensive firework display, with the Graz team able to keep pace only in the opening minutes of the Styrian derby at the Merkur Eisstadion in front of more than 700 fans. After that, the Kängurus scored goal after goal and impressively underlined their title ambitions.

The team led by player-coach Kristof Reinthaler have not lost a match this season and now stand at 18 wins from 18 games. In the play-offs, the Upper Styrians have scored 25 goals so far while conceding only five.

Kapfenberg player-coach Kris Reinthaler wants to pick up in the return leg where his team left off last Saturday: "We want to push hard, we want to play super-fast ice hockey and avoid any lapses. We want to start the game really well and then see how it develops!"

KSV President Franz Gärtner is convinced his side will reach the final after the match in Graz and is already eager to see where the final will take them: "After we really laid a great foundation for reaching the final in the last game in Graz, the boys will want to raise their game even further in the home match in front of what will certainly be a large crowd. We will see a great game and, of course, we will be delighted if we are confirmed as the second finalists on Saturday, because Hohenems and Kundl play before us. Everything is still open there, so we will let ourselves be surprised whether the KSV Kängurus' path leads to Tyrol or Vorarlberg!"

The tie is only over when it is over, to quote the great boxing philosopher Rocky Balboa, but with a six-goal lead, the return leg is now merely a formality for Kapfenberg's progression to the final.

Markus Losch, who as head coach of ATSE Graz led the club into the Ö Eishockey Liga semi-finals for the first time, at least wants to cause the Kängurus some problems in the return leg: "After the relatively heavy result against Kapfenberger SV last Saturday, I hope to see a significant improvement from the team. Unfortunately, not much went our way in that game. The KSV players were clearly stronger in every respect and outclassed us. Now I hope for a good performance from our players, so that we can at least cause Kapfenberg a few problems in their home game!"

Semi-final 2 – return leg: SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Sat., 02 March 2024, 18:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

SC HohenemsSC Hohenems goes into the second leg against the following the 3:1 in Kundl, holding a good two-goal leadEHC Crocodiles Kundlat Eisstadion Hohenems. The first leg last Saturday at Eisarena Kundl, in front of more than 600 fans, was an intense playoff battle from the outset. As the thrilling and hard-fought game progressed, the Vorarlberg side proved more efficient and composed in front of the opposition goal.

Hohenems head coach Thomas Stichaknows what will matter in the return leg: "The first game was very intense, with good chances at both ends. We will not allow that to happen in the return leg. We will try not to give Kundl the space they need. The small details and hard work will also be decisive in the return leg. But we are ready to go the extra mile and want to take a step towards the final!"

Everything is still open in the second semi-final, with the Crocodiles Kundl travelling to Hohenems knowing that they can beat the Steinböcke away from home.

A belief that Kundl chairman Gerhard Maierunderlines ahead of the return leg: "We will approach the return leg with the motto ‘now more than ever’. We have already proved several times this season that we can perform at the highest level away from home. A little more luck and greater efficiency in converting our chances, and we will be in the final!"

The Tyroleans achieved that feat twice against SC Hohenems during the regular season. At the beginning of January, the team coached by Jaroslav Betka won 5:3 at Herrenried, while at the end of January they recorded a 3:1 away win. Those results would lead to overtime on Saturday.

Playoff semi-final return legs:

Semi-final 1 – return leg:

Kapfenberger SV vs. ATSE Graz
Sat, 02 March 2024, 19:30, Stadthalle Kapfenberg

Semi-final 2 – return leg:

SC Samina Hohenems vs. EHC Crocodiles Kundl
Sat, 02 March 2024, 18:30, Eisstadion Hohenems

Playoff semi-final first legs:

Semi-final 1 – first leg:

ATSE Graz vs. Kapfenberger SV 2:8 (0:2,0:3,2:3)
Sat, 24 February 2024, 19:15, Merkur Eisstadion - Halle A
ATSE Graz scorers:Bernhard Strohmeier (41:19), Luca Rodiga (56:37)
Kapfenberger SV scorers:Max Wimmer (07:10/SH1), Manuel Trost (11:21), Lukas Draschkowitz (20:46/PP1), Pierre Graf (23:35, 43:57), Christoph Draschkowitz (34:26, 54:52), Daniel Oberkofler (58:42)

Semi-final 2 – first leg:

EHC Crocodiles Kundl vs. SC Samina Hohenems 1:3 (0:0,0:1,1:2)
Sat., 24 February 2024, 17:30, Eisarena Kundl
Goalscorer for EHC Crocodiles Kundl: Adrian Schuster (46:43)
Goalscorers for SC Samina Hohenems: Marcel Wolf (35:32), Julian Grafschafter (41:48), Martin Grabher Meier (45:09)

Play-off format:

From the quarter-finals onwards, ties are decided in Champions Hockey League (CHL) format over two legs. The club that finished higher in the regular season starts away from home. The aggregate score from the two matches played is used. The team leading on aggregate after the first and second legs advances to the final.

Should the aggregate score be level when the final buzzer sounds after 120 minutes, the decision will be made in a ten-minute three-on-three overtime period and, if necessary, a penalty shoot-out with five shooters per team. This means there will be no overtime in the first leg. Each first leg ends after 60 minutes either in a draw or with a win in regulation time.

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